One of the most significant prayers shared in our Tempera + Pilgrimage class in Orvieto, taught by Marie-Dominique Miserez. (from the French): The Prayer of the Artisan Teach me, Lord, to make good use of the time you give me for working, and to spend it well without wasting any. Teach me to profit from my past mistakes without letting self-doubt consume me. Teach me to visualize the plan without tormenting myself, to imagine the work without feeling desolate if it turns out otherwise. Teach me to unite haste and gradualness, serenity and fervor, zeal and peace. Help me in the commencement of my work, that in which I am most weak. Help me in the midst of labor to grasp tightly the thread of attention. And above all, Lord, fill with thine own hands the gaps in my work. Lord, in every labor of my hands leave a grace of thine to speak to others, and a fault of mine to tell me of myself. Keep in me the hope of perfection, without which I would lose heart. Keep in me the incapability of perfection, without which I would lose myself in pride. Purify my sight: When I do badly, it is not certain that it is bad, and when I do well, it is not certain that it is good. Lord, never let me forget that all knowledge is vain save where there is work. And that all work is empty save where there is love. And that all love is hollow that does not bind me to myself, to others, and to Thee. Lord, teach me to pray with my hands, my arms, and all my strength. Remind me that the work of my hands belongs to Thee, and that to me belongs its returning to Thee, in the giving of it. That if I create from a taste for profit, like a forgotten fruit I will spoil in the autumn. That if I create to please others, like the meadow flower I will fade in the evening. But if I create for love of the good, I will dwell in the good. And the time to create well and to thy glory is right now. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 16:28:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015