Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking
I must say
something on every subject and on
every occasion.
Release me from wanting to control
everybody's affairs
Keep my mind free from the recital
of endless details -
give me wings to get to the point.
I ask for grace enough
to listen to the tales of others'
pains. Help me to endure
them with patience, but seal my lips
on my own aches
and pains - they are increasing and
my love of rehearsing
them is becoming sweeter as the years
go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that
occasionally it is
possible that I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet. I
do not want to be
a saint - some of them are so hard
to live with -
but a sour old person is one of the
crowning works
of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things
in unexpected
places, and talents in unexpected
people. And give
me, Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Make me thoughtful, but not moody;
helpful, but
not bossy. With my vast store
of wisdom, it seems
a pity not to use it all, but you
know, Lord, that I want
a few friends at the end.
(Source
Unknown)
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