Lectio Divina: Thomas Merton’s Prayer

Thomas Merton is probably one of the most well known and loved Christian spiritual writers of the 20th Century. His famous prayer that starts "...I have no idea where I am going...", which is the focus of contemplation for this Lectio Divina, resonates strongly with many: an honest, raw, and open prayer seeking to find a balance between the struggles we all have in finding our direction in life on one hand, and the faith to follow God despite not fully seeing where we are headed on the other.

Transcript

Hi,

This is Mark Gladman,

Also known as Brother Frederick James,

Welcoming you to today's Lectio Divina.

Now while the subject of Lectio is most commonly sacred scripture of some kind,

It wasn't unusual for monastics to also spend time in Lectio Divina with other spiritual writing as well.

And that's what we're going to be doing today.

The subject of today's Lectio is probably a most loved and cherished and well-known prayer by the 20th century spiritual writer Thomas Merton.

And the reason why I think Merton is so well-loved is that if you've ever read his autobiography,

The Seventh Story Mountain,

What you find is a man who was very open and raw about his struggles and about his journey as he was trying to determine where it was that God was taking him.

I think people who read his story resonate so closely with that because we all have that struggle as we journey through life,

Wondering why we're here and what we're meant to do.

And it didn't matter whether you were Christian or some other faith or even no faith,

Merton's story is honest and resonates with all of us no matter what we might believe.

So this prayer mirrors that journey.

It comes from his book Thoughts in Solitude and it's a prayer that again I think has become most loved because of its rawness and its honesty.

It really is one that draws us into the journey that we're on and causes us to reflect both on where our foot is going but also more importantly where our eyes are focused.

And that is on the God we honestly desire to follow even when our feet don't quite hit the path that they probably should be on.

And so I invite you to stop and pause and breathe deeply and still yourself as we reflect on this prayer of Thomas Merton today.

And I invite you just to reflect on your own journey,

Where you've been,

Where you're going and most importantly where you are right now.

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 that 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.

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 that 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.

You You You You You You 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 that 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 you you you you you you you you you you you You And as we go from this time of prayer and reflection today May the God of peace and love be with you Holding you as you journey along the path Amen you

Reviews

I noted the prayer was light on rejoicing. At one point I focused on joy. Thank you 🙏🏾 for this meditation mode. Abundant blessings

A true blessing and balm for this season in my life.
Thank you as always and many blessings 🕊️

Thank you for this lectio. It was very helpful at this moment in my life 🙏

Always helpful to use this prayer as lectio divina. I feel Merton right here beside me, assuring and encouraging me on my spiritual path.

These words deeply resonated with my soul
I want to get closer to God and follow His will for my life
Thank you for such a wonderful meditation on what’s most important 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for your reading. I appreciate that you allowed space between the readings. Wonderful way to end my day. Blessings.

Wonderful! Thanks for introducing me to something new & so helpful! 😇

Thank you! This was exactly what I needed to hear today.

Very helpful. I agree that we all struggle knowing our path. But this is so helpful in reminding us that God us always with us on that path. Thank you 😊 🙏

I am grateful to find your meditations. I have been looking for Christian prayer meditation and this is definitely what I have been searching for. It has plenty of silence to absorb the words. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing, loved the simple accessible words

Good day,
Oh my how beautiful and apt. Your timing between repeated prayers were spot on, slow meaning speach delivered with sincerity. I am doing a week's home retreat and this is ideal near the end of the day. Thank you and God Bless.
Claire in Brisbane.

It’s the first time I’ve done Lectio with extra biblical texts and it was very good.

That was beautiful. So simple. So comforting. Thank you.

Beautiful🙏🏻trust in God’s mercy~His will be done! Amen. Thank you

Beautiful, very welcoming thank you 🙏🏼

🙏🏾amen. Namaste 🙏🏾. Thank you.

“God will never leave you
To face your perils alone.”
Thank you for this Lectio.

Thank you for this comforting and centring session. Blessings to you.

Wonderful thanks 🙏🏽