June 9, 2023 - The Episcopal Church in Delaware

Prayer of Unknowing, by Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahed of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.

Psalm 40

I waited patiently upon the Lord; *

he stooped to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *

he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *

many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are they who trust in the Lord! *

they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.

Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *

there is none who can be compared with you.

Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *

but they are more than I can count.

In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *

(you have given me ears to hear you);

Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *

and so I said, “Behold, I come.

In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *

‘I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart.’”

I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *

behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O Lord, you know.

Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *

I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.

You are the Lord;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *

let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,

For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *

they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; *

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *

let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.

Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *

because they are ashamed.

Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *

let those who love your salvation continually say,
“Great is the Lord!”

Though I am poor and afflicted, *

the Lord will have regard for me.

You are my helper and my deliverer; *

do not tarry, O my God.

Image: “Misty road [1920×1200] – arbili” by Douglas Tofoli is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Greetings from the Episcopal Church in Delaware