Kingdom Prayer

I am afraid of saying "yes," Lord.
Where will you take me?
I am afraid of drawing the longer straw,
I am afraid of signing my name to an unread agreement,
I am afraid of the "yes" that entails other "yeses."

And yet I am not at peace.
You pursue me, Lord, you besiege me.
I seek out the din for fear of hearing you, but in a
moment of silence you slip through.
I turn from the road, for I have caught sight of you, but
at the end of the path you are there awaiting me.
Where shall I hide? I meet you everywhere.
Is it then impossible to escape you?

I am afraid of your demands, for you are a jealous God.
I am hemmed in, yet I hide.
I am captured, yet I struggle,
For you are stronger, You own the world.


Son, I want more of you and for the world.
Say "yes," son.
For it is I who must do your work.
It is I who must live in your family.
It is I who must be in your neighborhood, and not you.

For it is my look that penetrates, and not yours,
My words that carry weight, and not yours.
My life that transforms, and not yours.
Give all to me, abandon all to me.


O Lord, I am afraid of your demands, but who can resist you?
That your kingdom may come and not mine,
that your will may be done and not mine,
help me to say "Yes."

[from Michel Quoist PRAYERS, pp.121-123]