A Prayer for Young People

O FATHER OF ALL GRACE AND MERCY, Thou art a holy God and wilt have also us lead a life holy and free from the lusts and desires of our sinful flesh. I deplore my weakness and the shortcomings of my sinful nature. To will is indeed present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. Three mighty enemies I find assailing me: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; these endeavor to draw me from Thy grace. Therefore, I pray Thee, O my Father, to create and to preserve in me a clean heart. Grant that I carefully shun all places which lend occasion for uncleanness, and that, restrained by Thy fear, I may not make members of fornication out of the members of my body, they at the same time being members of Christ Jesus, my Savior. But rather let me ever, in ardent devotion and a fervent longing for heaven, be most intent upon so living that my body may be a temple of God the Holy Ghost, never ceasing to love Jesus, who was crucified and given into death for me. Let me love that heavenly wisdom, in order that I may never find myself on the slippery paths of sin. O God, just and holy, who triest both heart and reins, grant that I may so adhere to Thee in this world that in the world to some I may not be separated from Thee. Amen.