Over the years I have come to conclude that many of my prayers have “seemingly” gone unanswered. I say “seemingly” because I know that the God who knows what is best for me, the God who is all-wise and all-loving will often withhold from me what I perceive is something good. In other words, my prayers are often self-centred. The following prayer from Mother Teresa has helped me to re-think how I should pray.

Lord, when I am hungry – give me someone in need of food;
When I am thirsty – send me someone needing a drink;
When I am cold – send someone to warm;
When I am grieved, someone to console;
When my cross grows heavy, let me share another’s cross too;
When I am poor, lead me to someone in need;
When I have not time, give me someone I can help a little while;
When I am humiliated, let me have someone to praise;
When I am disheartened, send me someone to cheer;
When I think only of myself, draw my thoughts to another.

(“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12)

Mr Peter Morphew
Chaplain