Write Your Own Praise to God

Praise to the Blessed Trinity

All praise to you most blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You were before the beginning.
You will be after the end.
You alone are worthy of my praise and tribute.

All creation sings your praise.
I join with all the angels, prophets, and saints,
With the morning sun that rises in the east and warms the day,
And with the moon and stars that illume the night.

All creation pays homage to you.
I join with the snow-capped mountains that stretch high into the blue sky,
With the wind that sweeps across the sand dunes,
And with the waves that crash upon the shores of the oceans.

Most blessed Trinity.
The creatures of the forest, the sky, the deep, the plain and the desert sing your praise.

You know my heart.
You know where I have failed
and when I have fallen short.
(Add from your own list of sins and shortcomings.)

I thank you for all of the gifts that you have given me.
I am because of you.
I know because of you.
I love because of you.
(Add from your own list.)

This day, make me an instrument of your peace,
Remove the pain, bitterness and anger from my heart,
And replace it with faith in you,
Hope in you,
And love for you and others.

Amen.

(A note of explanation: Several years ago, after reflecting on Francis' Canticle of Creation and Praises to God, I wrote the prayer above. I am always tweaking it. As you can see, it follows the ACTS model, i.e., Acclaimation, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Try writing your own prayer, modify this one, or just use this one. Each day we begin anew. Beginning each day by praising God helps me deal with the challenges of modern life.)