An Evening Meditation Prayer
"At the evening of life, you will be judged on love."
The darkness enfolds me, Lord, it is the end of another day. Noises are being hushed, and I still my restless heart in your presence.
I rejoice that I am safe in your keeping whatever may come to pass. And I thank you for the many blessings received today and throughout my life. You have fashioned my soul to seek you out, and now that I have found you, I know you will never let me go.
As the day draws to a close, I reflect on many things, and find I am negligent in remembering your commandment to love others as you love me.
Your little friend, St. Therese, understood your dear request, and tonight I am reminded of that phrase that traced her own destiny: "At the evening of life, you will be judged on love."
If I am judged on love, Lord, I confess to many lapses. And before this day goes by forever, forgive me, for not having comforted those who need support, for turning away when someone looked for help, for using harsh words instead of kind ones, for remaining silent when others deserved praise.
Help me to remember the words of St. Therese, and increase my little ways of love to share with friends and strangers. In prayer, link me with those who suffer are hungry or distressed. Take them in your care, Lord, and let Your loving spirit, fill the world tonight, so that we may understand the true meaning of life, when you again send us your morning light.
In the name of your little friend, St. Therese, I humbly come to ask you, Lord, that when my time comes to leave here below,
Do not call me by a sudden death.
Not by an accident that tears the body apart.
Not by an illness that leaves the mind confused or the senses impaired.
Not by a malady that wears out the soul,
or at the mercy of evil forces.
Not with a heart filled with hate,
or a body racked with pain.
Not abandoned, lonely, without love or care.
Not by my own hand, in a moment of despair.
Jesus, let death come as a gentle friend, to sit and linger with me until you call my name.
Then let me enter your heavenly home to receive your final gift of grace, to be near you forever, and look upon the divine countenance of your Holy Face. Amen.
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