# The universal prayer
*2008-07-27*

> Bill Young explores the timeless relevance of the Universal Prayer written by Pope Clement XI, focusing on how it helps us navigate difficult relationships with love and humility.

## Loving those in authority

Today we are looking at a prayer called the Universal Prayer, written by Pope Clement XI. Even though this prayer was written some time ago, it still holds a great deal of meaning for us today. Part of the prayer speaks about those who have authority over us. As Christians, we are called to respect and love everyone whose lives we touch.

Sometimes this is frustrating. You may have a boss, a co-worker, or even a friend that you don't see eye to eye with. It can leave you feeling upset, angry, or hurt. This is exactly why we need to pray this prayer; we are still called to touch that person's life in a positive and loving way.

## A plea for spiritual growth

The prayer begins with a profound surrender to God: "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."

It acknowledges God as our beginning and our end, our constant helper and loving protector. The petitioner asks for guidance through wisdom, correction through justice, comfort through mercy, and protection through power.

## Offering our daily lives

The prayer offers every aspect of human existence to the Lord: thoughts fixed on Him, words that have Him as their theme, and actions that reflect a love for Him. Even our sufferings are offered to be endured for His greater glory.

The heart of the request is a desire for total obedience: "I want to do what you ask of me, in the way you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask it."

## Overcoming human weakness

We ask the Lord to enlighten our understanding, strengthen our will, and purify our hearts to make us holy. This involves repenting for past sins, resisting future temptations, and rising above human weakness to grow stronger as Christians.

Crucially, the prayer asks for the grace to see ourselves as pilgrims in this world. It asks for the strength to conquer anger with gentleness, greed with generosity, and apathy [unclear] with fervor, allowing us to forget ourselves and reach out toward others.

## Preparing for eternity

The prayer concludes with a request for a well-ordered life—one that is prudent in planning, courageous in risk, patient in suffering, and unassuming in prosperity. It asks for a clear conscience, blameless speech, and a life of diligence and prayer.

Finally, it reminds us that this world is passing and our true future is the happiness of heaven. We ask for the grace to prepare for death with a proper fear of judgment, but a greater trust in God's goodness, that we may be led safely to the endless joy of heaven.

*By viewing ourselves as pilgrims and surrendering our will to God, we can transform our frustrations with others into opportunities for Christian love.*