Product Detail
- Art print with with 1/2" white border
- Printed with archival inks on sustainably sourced paper
- Frame: .88" width and depth, natural frame frame detail
Prayer © Thomas Merton, from Thoughts In Solitude
Photo and design by New Dawn Studios
THE WAY AHEAD
Referred to often as "The Merton Prayer," this beautiful prayer, like so many of Merton's writings, have filled me with great love through the years. I have turned to it again and againIt has inspired countless men and women walking in the way of their lives. The prayer reads:
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.
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.
© Thomas MertonTherefore 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.
Quote from book Thoughts In Solitude
The photograph of the empty bench was taken on a walk I took during my stay at a peaceful retreat center not far from where Merton, the most famous American monk, lived and walked at Gethsemani Abbey. Each time I would make the long loop, realizing I indeed had no idea where I was going in my life at the time, I would recite Merton's prayer. It brought me great comfort then and continues to do so. This poem print makes a perfect gift for the open-hearted or spiritually-minded person or anyone facing challenges in their lives.
What is your essential story of life?
What is alive in you?
I'll meet you on the way! 
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