My Lord God,
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 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 will I 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.
“The Merton Prayer” from Thoughts in Solitude
Dear Good People of Trinity,
Finding our way in life is not always easy. How often do we wish for a clear map, a step-by-step guide, or at least a divine GPS to show us the way? But life doesn’t work that way. Instead, we walk forward in faith, often uncertain of where the path will lead.
Like many of you, I long for clarity. I want to know with certainty that I am following God’s will, and that every step I take is in the right direction. But Thomas Merton’s beautiful prayer reminds us that our journey with God is not about having perfect clarity—it’s about trust.
Merton’s words assure us that even when we feel lost, even when the road ahead is uncertain, God is with us. What pleases God is not our ability to navigate flawlessly, but our deep desire to follow. And that desire, however imperfect, is enough.
This prayer invites us to surrender—not in fear, but in trust. It reminds us that even in the shadows, we are never alone. God is always walking beside us, leading us forward, even when we cannot see the way. So let us move forward in faith, trusting that the One who calls us beloved will never leave us to face our perils alone.
Peace and Blessings,
Paul