Say this Prayer Before Jesus Christ

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Grant me, O merciful God, to desire eagerly, to investigate prudently,

to acknowledge sincerely, and to fulfil perfectly those things that are

 pleasing to Thee, for the praise and glory of Thy holy Name.

O my God, order my life, and grant that I may know what Thou

 wilt have me to do; and grant that I may fulfil it as is fitting

and profitable to my soul.

Grant me, O Lord my God, the grace that I may not falter either

 in prosperity or adversity. May I not be unduly lifted up by the one,

nor unduly cast down by the other. Let me neither rejoice nor grieve

 at anything, save what either leads to Thee or leads away from Thee.

 Let me not desire to please anyone nor fear to displease

 anyone save only Thee.

Let all things transitory seem vile in my eyes, and all things eternal

 be dear to me. Let me tire of that joy which is without Thee and

 to desire nothing that is outside Thee. Let me find joy in the labor

 that is for Thee; and let all repose that is without Thee be tiresome to me.

Grant me, my God, the grace to direct my heart towards Thee,

and with a firm purpose of amendment, to grieve continually my

failures, together with a firm purpose of amendment.

O Lord my God, make me obedient without complaining, poor

without despondency, chaste without stain, patient without grumbling,

 humble without pretense, cheerful without dissipation, mature

without undue heaviness, quick-minded without levity, fearful of

Thee without abjectness, truthful without duplicity, devoted to

 good works without presumption, ready to correct my neighbour

without arrogance, and to edify him by word and example without

 hypocrisy.

Grant me, Lord God, a watchful heart which shall be distracted

 from Thee by no vain thoughts, give me a generous heart which

shall not be drawn downward by any unworthy affection; give

 me an upright heart which shall not be led astray by any perverse

intention: give me a stout heart which shall not be crushed by

 any hardship: give me a free heart which shall not be enslaved by passion.

Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, an understanding that knows

 Thee, diligence in seeking Thee, wisdom in finding Thee,

conversation pleasing to Thee, perseverance in faithfully waiting

for Thee, and confidence in embracing Thee in the end. Grant that

 I may be chastised here by penance, that I may make good use of

 Thy gifts in this life by Thy grace, and that I may partake of Thy

joys in the glory of heaven: Who livest and reignest, God,

 forever and ever.  Amen.