O most sweet and loving Lord,
you know my weaknesses,
and the needs I endure.
You know how many evils and sins I am involved in;
how often I am weighed down, tempted, and disturbed by them.
I ask for your consolation and support.
I speak to you, for you know all things,
to you all my inward thoughts are open,
and you alone can perfectly comfort and help me.
You know what things I stand in most need of.
Behold, I stand before you poor and naked,
calling for grace, and imploring mercy.
Refresh your hungry supplicant,
kindle my coldness with the fire of your love,
enlighten my blindness with the brightness of your presence.
Do not let me go away from you hungry and dry,
but deal mercifully with me,
as you always deal wonderfully with your saints.
Source: Thomas à Kempis
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
A Collection of Prayers 