Lord,
Thou knowest better than I myself
that I am growing older and will someday be old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking
I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me from craving to
straighten out everybody’s affairs.
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 Thou knowest, Lord,
that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains;
they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them
is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for improved memory,
but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness
when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet, for 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, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Amen.
- – - prayer by St. Teresa of Avila
Tags: devil, free, god, love, prayer, Prayers
The pictures you are displaying of St. Teresa of Avila are of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Hi Patty,
Thank you for letting me know. I have put the original pic now.
Georgy N
The photograph you have under the page “Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila” (http://www.turnbacktogod.com/prayer-of-st-teresa-of-avila/) is NOT St. Teresa of Avila. She was alive in the 1600s ( no cameras then). It is a photo of St. Teresa of Lisieux..of France. NOT of Spain.
You still have the wrong pic but that’s okay I still like your site! blessings,
You have a prayer of Teresa of Avila, but the photography is of Therese of Lisieux, the wrong Teresa. Since Teresa died in 1582, you might want to substitute a painting of her for the photo of Therese of Lisieux.
Hi George, what a beatiful work for God you are doing. keep it up. But have an eye for detail. Where did the prayer of St. Teresa come from? From which of her books? There sound too colloquial and modern? Can you tell me the source. God keep you.
Fr. Edmund
At the risk that this may have already been called to your attention, I wish to point out that the photograph that accompanies “The
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila” is a photo of
St. Therese of Lisieux, “The Little Flower.”
Unfortunately, the marvel of photography was unknown in the sixteenth century; we must imagine what that angel of the Lord looked like.
i think this prayer is beatiful. st tersea is going to be my confirmation saint. This is the best prayer i have found so far! :)
I was wondering where you found the prayer that is attributed in your site to St. Teresa of Avila. My daughter used the prayer at a presentation she gave. I want to pass it along but I would like to know where the prayer was found. God bless you.
God bless you in abundance!!!!!