A hope that will one day take hold of You

A Prayer for God’s Help by Thomas Aquinas

O Lord my God, help me to be obedient without reserve, poor without servility, chaste without compromise, humble without pretense, joyful without depravity, serious without affectation, active without frivolty, submissive without bitterness, truthful without duplicity, fruitful in good works without presumption, quick to revive my neighbor without haughtiness, and quick to edify others by word and example without simulation.

Grant me, O Lord, an ever-watchful heart that no alien thought can lure away from You; a noble heart that no base love can sully; an upright heart that no perverse intention can lead astray; an invincible heart that no distress can overcome; an unfettered heart that no impetuous desires can enchain.

O Lord my God, also bestow upon me understanding to know You, zeal to seek You, wisdom to find You, a life that is pleasing to You, unshakable perseverance, and a hope that will one day take hold of You.  Amen.

Thomas Aquinas is still considered one of the most influential Catholic theologians whose life of devotion was actually over his family’s strong objections (they actually kept him imprisoned for a year).  He entered the new order founded by St. Dominic to travel around teaching and preaching. Thomas worked out his theology in very long and very tightly argued books, but he was first, a man who loved God deeply.

Thomas was known for bathing all of his scholarly work in prayer, and he wrote many beautiful prayers that can be a resource for all Christians.  This was one of them.