Lord teach me to make good use of the time you give me for working, and not to waste any.

Teach me to learn from my past mistakes and not let doubt consume me.

Teach me to see Your plan without tormenting myself, to plan out my work without being disappointed if it doesn’t turn out as I expected.

Teach me to balance out haste and slowness, serenity and fervor, zeal and peace.

Help me at the beginning of my work, the hardest part of all. Help me maintain my attention in the midst of labor. And above all, Lord, come fill the gaps in my work.

Lord, leave in each of my labor one of Your graces, to present to others, and one of my imperfections to remind me of myself.

Keep me hoping to reach perfection, so I don’t lose heart.

But do not let me reach it, so I don’t lose myself in pride.

Purify my sight, teach me discernment when I do bad or good.

Lord, do not let me forget that all knowledge is vain if there is no work, that all work is empty if there is no love, and that all love is hollow if it does not bind me to myself, to others, and to You.

Lord, teach me to pray with my hands, my arms, and all my strength.

Remind me that the work of my hands belongs to You, and that I must offer it back to You: if it is profit that motivates me, I will spoil in the autumn like a forgotten fruit. If I only seek to please others, I will fade in the evening like the flower of the field. But if my intentions are pure, I will dwell in Your good heart.

Right now is the time to work for the good of humanity and for Your glory.

Amen!”