Universal Prayer

Attributed to

Pope Clement XI

Lord, I believe in you; oh, give me firmer faith.

I hope in you, give me surer hope.

I love you, make me love you more and more.

I am sorry to have failed you; make me sorrier yet.

I adore you as my first beginning,

And long for you as my last end;

Praise you as my constant benefactor,

And call upon you as my gracious protector;

Guide me by your wisdom,

Restrain me by your justice,

Comfort me by your mercy,

Defend me by your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts, to be fixed on you;

My words, to have you for their theme;

My actions, to be done according to your will;

My hardships to be endured for your sake.

My will is that your will be done,

In the manner you will,

And as long as you will,

Because it is your will.

I pray you, Lord, enlighten my understanding,

Inflame my will,

Purify my heart,

And sanctify my soul.

Help me to deplore my past offences

And to resist temptation in future,

To subdue my evil inclinations

And to cultivate the virtues proper for my state.

God of all goodness, fill me with love of you

And hatred of myself,

With zeal for my neighbour

And contempt of worldly things.

Teach me to be obedient to my superiors,

Helpful to my subordinates,

Faithful to friends,

Forgiving to foes.

Let me vanquish pleasure by self-denial,

Avarice by generosity,

Anger by meekness,

And lukewarmness by fervour.

Make me prudent in planning,

Courageous in taking risks;

In affliction, patient;

In prosperity, unassuming.

Lord, make me attentive at prayers,

Moderate when I eat and drink,

Diligent in my occupation,

And constant in good resolutions.

Let my conscience be clear,

My demeanour modest,

My talk blameless,

My life well-ordered.

Let me always be alert to keep nature in check,

To cherish your grace,

To keep your law,

And to earn salvation.

Teach me how petty is this world,

How immense your heaven;

Time, how short;

Eternity, how long.

Give me grace to prepare for death,

To dread your judgment,

To escape hell,

And to win a place in heaven:

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.