Steadfastness in Prayer and Sacrifice

ALMIGHTY Father, teach us by Thy Spirit how to pray, for indeed we know not how to pray as we ought. Give us the desire to speak with Thee, and then let us hear Thee speak with us. Thy goodness and loving kindness have followed us day by day. Thy mercies have been so common that we have dared to deem them commonplace. Give us the spiritual sight, quick to discern Thy hand and recognise Thy bounty. From Thee alone come life and strength, food and raiment, books and friends, work and rest. Thou givest us these to train us for the better and the more abiding joys. Let us not repine when Thou takest them from us, but let us rejoice that in Thee our loss turns to infinite gain. Amid the changes of life, O Lord, keep us steadfast and loyal to the service of Thy will. Let no storm disturb the deep things of our quietness. Let no trial shake the foundations of our faith. Establish us in the assurance that though all else perish, Thy truth and righteousness are eternal; that though we faint and fail, Thou failest never. Thine unchangeableness rebukes our fickleness; Thine abiding patience, our want of self-control.

Grant us, O heavenly Father, perfect remission and forgiveness for all our wasted hours. Too often have we proved recreant in the fight against evil and put to sleep the cries of conscience. We have chosen selfish ease, or mean ambitions, or unholy pleasures, and have said, "These be our gods!" And then have we become the bond-servants of sin. Have mercy upon us and free us from those habits of thought and feeling which the years have engraven upon us. Subdue the waywardness of our hearts to the meekness of Christ. Let Him enter anew into our souls, and be formed in us, that every evil habit may fall from off us, and that we may put on the virtues and graces of the Christian life. Let our days be bound each to each in the bonds of spiritual piety. If Thou shouldst call us to bear pain or sorrow, give us patience that we may win from it its hidden blessing. And to this end grant that we may not speak too much about our griefs, nor let them prey upon our hearts, but commit them all to Thee, casting all our care upon Thee, because Thou carest for us. Shouldst Thou summon us to some great act of sacrifice, steady the will, O Lord, and inspire the heart with great courage, and put within us the mind of Him who emptied Himself and took upon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Teach us that it is better to give than to receive, better to lose our life than to save it. And so may we ever pass into Thy hand, and be dedicated to Thy service, which is perfect freedom. Hear us, in Thy mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.