Though not personally Benedictine, this prayer (which was originally written by Sr. Ruth Fox, OSB, in 1985) caught my attention as I was thinking through how to pray and what specifically to pray for during 2013. I pray that you will also find it useful. It is reprinted with attribution below:
A Four-Fold Benedictine Blessing
By Sr. Ruth Fox, OSB (1985)
May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,
so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people
so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from
pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world,
so that you are able, with God’s grace,to do what others claim cannot be done.
And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and Creator,
Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, who is our brother and Savior,
and the Holy Spirit, who is our Advocate and our Guide,
be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.
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