The Prayer For Ordering a Life Wisely

Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely displays deep spiritual wisdom that has shaped Christianity over centuries. Modern Christians seeking guidance, purpose, and moral clarity continue to find this a significant prayer of assistance in an era of tumult, change, and challenge.

The following post explores the enduring relevance of a Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely, examining how it inspires believers to seek wisdom, make righteous choices, and live in harmony with their faith. It also provides a brief biography of its author, Saint Thomas Aquinas, one of the medieval world’s foremost theologians.

The Prayer For Ordering A Life Wisely

About the Prayer

The Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely encapsulates the quest for wisdom and virtuous living. Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century Catholic theologian, recognized our need to seek divine assistance in navigating the complexities of life.

His prayer serves as a spiritual compass urging individuals to turn to God for discernment and insight, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s actions with God’s divine plan. Even in today’s society, this prayer offers solace and direction to those striving to live virtuously in keeping with their Christian beliefs.

Modern Resonance

The Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely continues to resonate with modern-day Christians in several ways:

1. Desire for understanding and wisdom. The prayer asks God to grant the petitioner understanding, diligence, and insight when seeking the Lord. This desire for spiritual growth and knowledge is always relevant for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God and understand His will.

2. Pursuit of a holy life. The prayer asks God to describe a way of life pleasing to Him, and the virtue of perseverance to follow through. This pursuit of a holy life, living by God’s will and following the example of Christ, remains a central goal in every branch of the faith.
Trust in God’s will. Saint Thomas describes his faith in God’s will and his willingness to surrender to Him even during difficult circumstances. God’s providence is an aspect of Christianity important to believers seeking meaning and purpose through their relationship with God.

3. Similarity to other prayers. The prayer shares similarities with other popular prayers, such as the Serenity Prayer, which asks for the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference. These prayers reflect a common desire for guidance and strength in navigating life’s challenges.

About Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican theologian, philosopher, and Roman Catholic saint, born in the Kingdom of Sicily circa 1225.

While modern theology has taken issue with many of his theories (for example, he argued men were naturally superior to women), Saint Thomas was one of the foremost medieval scholars in Christendom. His signature achievement was developing a comprehensive system of Christian philosophy that reconciled Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology.

Saint Thomas Aquinas was canonized by Pope John XXII on July 18, 1323, nearly fifty years after his death. In 1567, Pope Pius V proclaimed St. Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church in 1567. This recognition solidified his influence on Catholic theology and cemented Aquinas’ status as a model teacher for those studying the priesthood.

Saint Thomas Aquinas is said to have performed several miracles, including curing the vision of the sub-prior and curing a woman suffering from affliction through prayer. Saint Thomas also gets credit for the disappearance of a comet that had shone over the monastery, vanishing from the sky on the day he died.

Conclusion

The Prayer for Ordering a Life Wisely resonates with modern-day Christians by expressing a desire for spiritual growth, pursuing holiness, trust in God’s will, and the need for guidance and strength in navigating life’s challenges.