Hello Grafted In Reader,
Today is Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in my corner of blog land. How is your December rolling along and you with it?
I like to have some quiet time for about forty-five minutes three or four week-day mornings per week. I call this post, Take A Chance On Me, for that is what life feels like this week for yours truly.
The quiet time today, resulted in my curiosity over the possibility of prayers by a named associate of the Apostle Peter from the Biblical record whose name is Clement.
I found this prayer, lengthy but concise, and online, assumed to be by the same named person and love its straightforwardness:
Lord, enlighten my understanding, I pray:
arouse my will,
cleanse my heart,
sanctify my soul.
May I weep for past sins,
repel future temptations,
correct evil inclinations,
nurture appropriate virtues.
Give me, good God,
love for you, hatred for myself,
zeal for my neighbor,
contempt for the world.
May I strive to obey my superiors,
to help those dependent on me,
to have care for my friends,
forgiveness for my enemies.
The Universal Prayer Attributed to Pope Clement XI
May I conquer sensuality by austerity,
avarice by generosity,
anger by gentleness,
lukewarmness by fervor.
Render me prudent in planning,
steadfast in dangers,
patient in adversity,
humble in prosperity.
Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer,
moderate at meals,
diligent at work,
steadfast in intent.
May I be careful to maintain interior innocence,
outward modesty,
exemplary behavior,
a regular life.
May I be always watchful in subduing nature,
in nourishing grace,
in observing your law,
in winning salvation.
May I learn from you
how precarious are earthly things,
how great divine things,
how fleeting is time,
how lasting things eternal.
Grant that I may prepare for death,
fear judgment,
flee hell,
gain paradise.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In a real sense it's asking the Almighty to give another chance at life and to be merciful and take a chance on one's life and being.
As an author of short story fiction, I often receive emails from supposed marketers wanting me to take a chance on them. Over time, I have become quite cautious in doing so and mostly endeavor to accomplish marketing myself. Advertising asks us all the time to take a chance, and personally, others do too.
Until we meet again here on the blog, know the peace of God that surpasses human understanding in your life. It's one of the best things received!
Mellow Rock,
David C. Russell, Author
