Saturday, March 12, 2011

A Simple Prayer


Holy Cross Monastery, Berryville, Virginia

Act of Love

O my God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
I love you above all things,
with my whole heart, my whole soul, my whole mind,
and my whole strength.
I love you Eternal Father.
In the name of Jesus, my Savior,
I love you.
Send forth your Spirit into my heart,
guiding me in the ways of love.

I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you,
my God,
and all things for your sake and for your glory.
I love you and desire to recognize you and love you more
—as your Mercy and Wisdom enable me—
in each and every human person
created in your image and likeness

I forgive those who have injured me,
I forgive them from the heart
and I pray that you will bless abundantly
and give your grace to all those who have harmed me,
who wished to harm me,
or who have hurt me by failing to understand me.

And I ask pardon for all those I have injured
in thought, word, deed, or omission.
Bless a hundred fold with healing and grace
anyone whom I have harmed in any way,
and have mercy on us all.