Blessed Forever

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for not abandoning me when I abandoned You.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for offering Your hand of love

in my darkest, most lonely moment.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for putting up with such a stubborn soul as mine.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for loving me more than I love myself.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for continuing to pour out Your blessing upon me,

even though I respond so poorly.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for drawing out the goodness in all people,

even including me.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for repaying our sin with Your love.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for being constant and unchanging,

amidst all the changes of the world.

May You be blessed forever, LORD,

for Your countless blessings on me

and on all Your creatures.

(a prayer of Teresa Of Avila, 1515-1582)