GODVERSITY
Apr 27, 20203 min
This prayer came to me at a dark time in my life. The abuse crisis in the Church had hit my particular world, hard. My mother had died of ALS. My job was ending. I had begged God for a nearby job but didn’t get it, and would have to move 1,300 miles away for a different one instead. All of this with a newborn — our eighth child — and limited resources.
I was in the chapel taking account of what I believed about an all-powerful, all-loving God and why. I scratched the first version of this out on a folded piece of paper and have prayed it ever since. I have turned to it again in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lord God, please give me the grace of the virtues of faith, hope, and love that you promised at baptism and that only you can give.
My God, I believe in you, and all that your Church teaches, because you have said it, and your word is true.
Lord, I believe in you …
… Because the beauty of the world speaks of you.
… Because the goodness in the world comes from you.
… Because I can discern and know the truth.
… Because the laws of the universe are ordered.
… Because your creation is sustained in being.
… Because I am a mystery to myself that your words illuminate.
… Because you are the foundation of truth.
… Because you are too great for me to fully understand.
… Because trustworthy people have believed in you for centuries.
… Because of the witness of science.
… Because of the witness of the saints.
… Because of the witness of the Gospels.
… Because you have given me the gift of faith.
… Increase my faith.
My God, I hope in you, for grace and for glory, because of your mercy, your promises and your power.
Lord, I hope in you …
… Because everything else decays.
… Because you always keep your promises.
… Because you are the King of the Universe.
… Because you created me for your purpose.
… Because I have seen your hand in my own life.
… Because your words direct me.
… Because your goodness is the ground I walk on.
… Because you are greater than anything that threatens me.
… Because in history, good has triumphed.
… Because you have sustained your Church despite the weakness of men.
… Because you have provided for me all my life.
… Because you are all powerful.
… Because without you, I would not exist.
… Because of the witness of the saints.
… That I may I be happy with you forever.
… Increase my hope.
O my God, because You are so good, I love You above all things and for your sake I love my neighbor as myself.
Lord, I love you …
… Because you loved me first.
… Because you are infinite goodness.
… Because you are inexhaustible beauty.
… Because you are unfathomable truth.
… Because you made love the fundamental law.
… Because I wouldn’t exist without love.
… Because you created me.
… Because you gave me every good thing.
… Because you gave me my faith.
… Because you have protected me.
… Because you have tested me.
… Because you have trusted me with your life in my soul.
… Because you have surrounded me with love.
… Because you died for me.
… Give me deeds of love and not just words.
… Increase my love.
PLEASE PRAY WITH ME: Lord God, give me the faith I need to know your will, the hope I need to accept your will, and the love I need to do your will, even when I don’t understand it, knowing that your way is better. I ask this through Christ Our Lord. AMEN.
GOD BLESS YOU.
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Tom Hoopes is writer in residence at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas