The Universal Prayer is a complete prayer for the whole of life. In a few lines it asks God for faith, hope, love, sorrow for sin, and the grace to do his will in all things.
The Prayer
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me,
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it. Amen.
When to Pray This Prayer
As a daily offering, in examination of conscience, and whenever you wish to renew your whole life in God.
About This Prayer
This prayer is traditionally attributed to Pope Clement XI in the early eighteenth century. It gathers into one the essential desires of the Christian soul.
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Text: the Universal Prayer attributed to Pope Clement XI (public domain).