Matthew 26:39

And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

Joan Chittister is a Benedictine nun, an author, a speaker, and an international leader for peace and justice; she is a bold, clear voice that shows the way to God in all aspects of life, and particularly through prayer.

Too often, we use prayer to forgive ourselves for being less than we are meant to be. “Too often, I’m praying for it” means that I don’t intend to do anything else but pray that someone else will do for us what we should be doing for ourselves. But the situation is obvious. There is nothing done by humans that humans cannot undo. There is no reason to deny our own responsibility to get it done by foisting it on God. We must get up and do it ourselves…The truth is that we must pray for the strength to do what we are meant to do.

The Breath of the Soul: Reflections on Prayer

God, give me the qualities of character I need to do what you have put me here to do in your name. Amen.