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Those of us who grew up in an evangelical tradition likely are not used to written prayers. Some of us may be suspicious of them, thinking that they lack the genuineness of spoken prayers. Personally, I've come to see the beauty of written and well-crafted prayers with which I can express my heart to God. I do, however, recognize the danger of reading or rotely reciting prayers absent of a heartfelt expression.

Rather than try to argue for the benefit of written prayers, I'd like to present you with one that I was introduced to recently. It was written by Thomas Merton and is used on the back of a document that Central North Correction Centre Chaplaincy Services publishes. I found it a helpful and profound prayer. I pray that it aid some of you in speaking your heart to God.

Creator of All,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead 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 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 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.

-Thomas Merton, "Thoughts In Solitude"