The Universal Prayer (attributed to Pope Clement Xi)

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
And call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
Correct me with your justice,
Comfort me with your mercy,
Protect me with your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
My words: to have you for their theme;
My actions: to reflect my love for you;
My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me:
In the way you ask,
For as long as you ask,
Because you ask it.

Lord, enlighten my understanding,
Strengthen my will,
Purify my heart,
and make me holy.

Help me to repent of my past sins
And to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
And to grow stronger as a Christian.

Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
And see myself as I really am:
A pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love
All whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority,
My friends and my enemies.

Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
Greed by generosity,
Apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself
And reach out toward others.

Make me prudent in planning,
Courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
Temperate in food and drink,
Diligent in my work,
Firm in my good intentions.

Let my conscience be clear,
My conduct without fault,
My speech blameless,
My life well-ordered.
Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
Keep your law,
And come at last to your salvation.

Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
That my true future is the happiness of heaven,
That life on earth is short,
And the life to come eternal.

Help me to prepare for death
With a proper fear of judgment,
But a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death
To the endless joy of heaven.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The background story of The Universal Prayer (attributed to Pope Clement Xi)

The Universal Prayer is a Catholic prayer that is attributed to Pope Clement XI. It is also known by other names, such as the “Prayer of Clement XI” or the “Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI.”

The prayer was first published in 1721 as part of a collection of prayers and devotions by the French Jesuit Jean-Baptiste Coignard. It was originally written in French and later translated into Latin and other languages.

The Universal Prayer is a meditation on the nature of God’s love and mercy, seeking his grace and assistance in all aspects of life. It asks for God’s guidance and protection, as well as his forgiveness for sins and weaknesses.

Over time, the Universal Prayer has become a popular devotional prayer among Catholics, both in traditional and modern forms. It is often used in personal prayer and meditation, as well as in liturgical settings such as the Mass.

Today, the Universal Prayer continues to be an important part of Catholic tradition, reminding believers of the power of prayer and the love and mercy of God. It is seen as a way to deepen one’s faith and to seek God’s guidance and support in all aspects of life.