DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) wrote this prayer, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

The important line for me is “I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.” I too believe this very strongly especially as it pertains to prayer and meditation. I believe the Lord is very pleased if we will just show up for these practices and that ‘he will lead us on the right road.’

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” Jesus