Prayer of Trust
“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away: God never changes.” — Saint Teresa of Ávila
Public Domain: Saint matthew, Jan Fignowski via Webumenia.
About This Prayer
The Prayer of Trust by Thomas Merton is a powerful reflection on surrendering to God’s will, especially in times of uncertainty. Merton, a Trappist monk and spiritual writer, expresses the honest struggle many people feel when they cannot see the path ahead. Rather than relying on clarity or control, the prayer teaches that true faith is rooted in trust, trust that God is guiding us even when we feel lost.
This prayer resonates deeply with the message of The Book of Psalms, particularly Psalm 23, where God is described as a shepherd who leads His people even through the “valley of the shadow of death.” It reminds us that the desire to seek God and follow His will is itself pleasing to Him, even when we fall short or lack direction.
For Catholics, this prayer serves as a daily act of abandonment to Divine Providence. It encourages a quiet confidence that God is present, faithful, and always leading us toward what is good, even when we cannot yet understand His plan.
The Prayer
By Thomas Merton
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, 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.
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When To Pray
The Prayer of Trust by Thomas Merton is especially meaningful during moments of uncertainty, confusion, or major life decisions. It can be prayed when you feel unsure about your future, when plans are not unfolding as expected, or when you are struggling to understand God’s will. Many find comfort in praying it during times of anxiety, career changes, illness, or periods of spiritual dryness, when clarity seems distant but faith is still present.
This prayer is also fitting for daily use, particularly in the morning as you entrust your day to God, or at night when reflecting on where He may have been guiding you. It can be prayed during Eucharistic Adoration, in quiet personal prayer, or alongside Scripture passages that emphasize trust, such as Proverbs 3:5–6. Ultimately, it is a prayer for any time you need to surrender control and place your confidence fully in God’s loving providence.
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More About This Prayer
About This Prayer
The Prayer of Trust by Thomas Merton is a powerful reflection on surrendering to God’s will, especially in times of uncertainty. Merton, a Trappist monk and spiritual writer, expresses the honest struggle many people feel when they cannot see the path ahead. Rather than relying on clarity or control, the prayer teaches that true faith is rooted in trust, trust that God is guiding us even when we feel lost.
This prayer resonates deeply with the message of The Book of Psalms, particularly Psalm 23, where God is described as a shepherd who leads His people even through the “valley of the shadow of death.” It reminds us that the desire to seek God and follow His will is itself pleasing to Him, even when we fall short or lack direction.
For Catholics, this prayer serves as a daily act of abandonment to Divine Providence. It encourages a quiet confidence that God is present, faithful, and always leading us toward what is good, even when we cannot yet understand His plan.
When To Pray
The Prayer of Trust by Thomas Merton is especially meaningful during moments of uncertainty, confusion, or major life decisions. It can be prayed when you feel unsure about your future, when plans are not unfolding as expected, or when you are struggling to understand God’s will. Many find comfort in praying it during times of anxiety, career changes, illness, or periods of spiritual dryness, when clarity seems distant but faith is still present.
This prayer is also fitting for daily use, particularly in the morning as you entrust your day to God, or at night when reflecting on where He may have been guiding you. It can be prayed during Eucharistic Adoration, in quiet personal prayer, or alongside Scripture passages that emphasize trust, such as Proverbs 3:5–6. Ultimately, it is a prayer for any time you need to surrender control and place your confidence fully in God’s loving providence.
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