# My God, do not forget me
*2008-06-16*

> Bill Young shares a poignant prayer for divine faithfulness and continues the fourth day of the novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe.

## A Prayer for Divine Faithfulness

I found a beautiful little prayer called 'My God, Do Not Forget Me.' It is a humble plea for God's mercy and guidance when we wander. The prayer asks: 'My God, do not forget me when I forget you. Do not abandon me, oh Lord, when I abandon you. Do not go far from me when I go far from you. Call me if I flee from you. Draw me to yourself if I resist. Pick me up if I fall.'

It further asks for the strength of heart to remain faithful: 'Give me, O Lord, my God, a valiant heart, so that no vanity may take me away from you. A just heart, so that no perverted attention may lead me astray. A strong and courageous heart that resists every adversity. A free heart which no disorder of passion can dominate.' Finally, it asks for the grace to seek God, the wisdom to find Him, and the trust that at the end of life, we shall be united with Him.

## Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe

We are continuing with Day 4 of our novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe. We reflect on the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, 'Greater love than this no man has, than a man laid down his life for his friends.' Through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose life illustrated this love, we beseech the Lord to grant our petitions. Today, my petition is for the spiritual and physical health of John and Roseanne.

## The Example of Unselfish Love

Through the Militia of the Immaculate, which St. Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. By giving up his life for a total stranger and loving his persecutors, he gave us an example of unselfish love for all men—a love inspired by a true devotion to Mary. We pray that we, too, may give ourselves entirely and without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen, in order to better love and serve our neighbors, imitating the humble servant Maximilian.

*By imitating the unselfish love of St. Maximilian Kolbe and trusting in God's mercy, we can better serve our neighbors and grow in devotion to Mary.*