I have long thought that I am not good at extemporaneous prayer. But I have always been comforted by the prayers that exist in the Church, and prayers written by others more skilled with words than I am.

Often when I’m feeling discouraged, I find myself returning to two prayers that have hung on my walls for more than 25 years. And recently, I have discovered the beautiful Litany of Trust. Today I wanted to share a bit about these three prayers, and why I find them especially consoling as a single Catholic woman.

Prayer 1: Thomas Merton’s reflection from Thoughts in Solitude

The first prayer I encountered so long ago I don’t even remember when or how, is by Thomas Merton. He was a Trappist monk at their abbey in Gethsemani, Kentucky. His prayer from Thoughts in Solitude begins with words I could say pretty much every day of my life: 

My Lord, God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

As someone who has often felt directionless, these words speak straight from my heart to God. They name the uncertainty I live (and struggle) with: not knowing where my life is headed, wondering if I’m following God’s will at all.

But Merton doesn’t end there. He continues:

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And ends with confidence in God: 

I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

This is the prayer I return to when I need to remember that I don’t have to see the whole path. I just have to take the next step, trusting that God is with me always.

Prayer 2: St. John Henry Newman on Purpose

The second prayer that has hung on my wall for over 25 years is from one of our newest saints, St. John Henry Newman. This one is from his Meditations and Devotions and focuses on reminding me that God has a purpose for my life, even if I never know it. My job is to be faithful.

It begins with a reminder that: 

God knows me and calls me by my name… God has created me to do Him some definite service…

He goes on to speak with certainty, reminding me:

I have a part in this great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught.

And ultimately, he calls me to remember to trust: 

Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.

The whole prayer is beautiful, but those lines always hit my heart. The certainty of the saints is a consolation, and a reminder that all humans struggle with wanting to know our individual purpose, and questioning if what we do even matters. 

Sometimes as a single Catholic this can feel especially hard – I don’t seem to have a well-defined mission, without the clear markers or family life or religious vows. But it is a lie to think that means I have no purpose, because I have been created ON purpose, by our loving and generous God. 

Prayer 3: The Litany of Trust

Finally, I am late to the party of discovering the Litany of Trust! Written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life, pretty much every line in this litany is a sentence that lives somewhere in my head. When I first read it, I felt so seen and understood, it honestly blew my mind a little. Even the first line: From the belief that I have to earn Your love, deliver me Jesus, put words to thoughts I don’t like to acknowledge. 

Structurally, and helpfully for my coaching brain, this litany contains thoughts I need to be delivered from and then the new thoughts I can replace them with that will bring me closer to the love that God has for me. So, for example, we have:

That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me, Jesus, I trust in you.

And From disbelief in your love and presence, deliver me, Jesus along with

That You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me, Jesus, I trust in you.

The entire litany reminds me that instead of being ashamed of my struggles to trust, I can bring those struggles to God and ask for help in changing those thoughts. 

Another Version of These Prayers and My Reflections

If you’d like to hear me talk about these prayers, I created a video reflection on them a little while ago that you can watch: [Watch on YouTube]. (Note: In the video I called them “3 Prayers When You Feel Spiritually Dry” – same prayers, slightly different framing!)

Take These Prayers With You

These prayers have been my consoling companions through years of navigating an unexpected life. And in my coaching work, I help women find their own tools and practices, like these prayers, that resonate with how they are uniquely created.

Want these prayers for yourself? I’ve created beautiful printable and digital versions of all three that you can keep on your wall, by your desk, or on your phone. Get your free download here and let these words from fellow pilgrims speak for you when you need them most.

Most of all, I hope that these prayers remind you of just how much you are loved exactly as and for who you are, by the loving God who created you. I’m praying for you!