A Prayer For Wisdom

This prayer is quoted from the Bible in the book of Wisdom 8:17-21; and Wisdom 9:1-18 NLT. (New Living Translation: Catholic Edition)

"I pondered these things and weighed them in my mind ---

that associating with wisdom brings

immortality,

that her friendship is pure delight,

that her activities bring great wealth,

that her companionship brings

understanding,

and that a person gains respect by

sharing her[Wisdom] words.

Then I went about seeking how I might

get wisdom for my-self.

I was born a gifted child,

and I was naturally good.

Better yet, since I was good,

I was given an undefiled body.

But I knew I could not possess wisdom

unless God gave her to me,

It was a sign of intelligence

that I knew who had given me wisdom,

So I went to the Lord and pleaded with

him,

With my whole heart I said:

"O God of my ancestors and

Lord of mercy,

you have made all things by your

word.

In your wisdom,

you formed people to be masters over creatures you

made,

to rule the world in holiness

and justice,

and to pronounce judgment with

a righteous heart.

Give me the wisdom that sits by your

throne,

and do not exclude me from being

one of your servants.

For I am your servant and the son of your

servant-girl,

a weak man with a short life

and little understanding of justice

and laws.

Even if there were a perfect human

being,

without wisdom,

he would be regarded as nothing.

You have chosen me to be king of your

people

and judge over your sons and daughters.

You told me to build a Temple on your

holy mountain

and an altar in the city of your

dwelling place---

a copy of the holy Tabernacle you

prepared from the beginning.

Wisdom,

who resides with you, knows your works;

she was present when you made

the world.

She knows what is pleasant in

your sight,

and what is right according to

your commandments.

Send her out from your holy heaven

and from the throne of your glory

so that she may work with me

and teach me what is pleasing to

you.

For wisdom knows and understands

all things;

she will guide me wisely in my actions

and guard me with her glory.

Then my works will be acceptable,

and I will govern your people justly.

I will be worthy of the throne of

my father.

For what human being can know

the counsel of God?

Who can discern the will of the Lord?

The thoughts of mortals are fallible,

and our plans are uncertain.

The mortal body weighs down the soul.

This earthly tent burdens the active

mind.

We can scarcely guess at what is on

earth;

we struggle to understand

what is within our reach.

So who can search out the things in

heaven?

Who could have known your plan

if you had not given wisdom

and sent your Holy Spirit from above?

Through them, people on earth

were guided on the right path.

The people were taught the things

that please you,

and they were saved by wisdom.""

I pray with my whole heart,
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.