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Universal Prayer (Clement XI)

Theologal and cardinal virtues.

Lord, I believe in Thee: but let me believe more strongly. I hope in Thee: but let me hope more securely. I love Thee: but let me love Thee more ardently. I sorrow, but deepen my sorrow for my sins.

I adore Thee as my first beginning, I long for Thee as my last end, I praise Thee as my constant benefactor, I call on Thee as my loving protector.

Guide me by Thy wisdom, hold me with Thy justice, comfort me with Thy mercy, protect me with Thy power.

I offer Thee, Lord, my thoughts, my words, my actions, and my sufferings to be fixed on Thee, to be according to Thee, and to be endured for Thee.

I want to do what Thou willeth, in the way Thou willeth, for as long as Thou willeth, because Thou willeth.

I pray, O Lord, enlighten my understanding, inflame my will, purify my heart, and sanctify my soul.

May I not be infected by pride; nor seduced by flattery, nor deceived by the world, nor surrounded by Satan.

May grace purge my memory, put a brake on my tongue, hold back my eyes, repress my senses.

May I weep for my former iniquities, repel future temptations, correct my faults, and cultivate suitable virtues.

Grant me, O God, love of Thee, hatred of me, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world.

May I strive to obey my superiors, assist my inferiors, take counsel from my friends, be jealous of no one.

May I remember, O Jesus, your commandments and examples, love of enemies, endurance of insults, doing good to persecutors, praying for calumniators.

Help me to conquer sensuality with austerity, greed with generosity, anger with gentleness, apathy with fervor.

Make me prudent in planning, steadfast in danger, patient in adversity, and humble in prosperity.

O Lord, make me attentive in prayer, temperate in meals, diligent in my duties, and firm in my resolutions.

May I take care to have an innocent interior, a modest exterior, exemplary speech, and a well-ordered life.

May I be ever-watchfull in guarding against my weaknesses, cherishing Thy grace, keeping Thy laws, and coming to salvation.

May I pursue sincere confession of sins, fervent communion with the Body of Christ, continual mental recollection, purity of the heart's intentions.

May I learn from Thee the passing nature of this world, the grandness of heaven, the shortness of this life, and the life to come eternal.

Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgment, flee from Hell, and obtain Paradise.

Grant this though Christ our Lord. Amen.

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