image by August Brill CC by 2.0
O my God, give me your grace
so that the things of this earth
and the things more naturally pleasing to me,
may not be as close as you are to me.
Keep my eyes, my ears, and my heart
from clinging to the things of this world.
Break my bonds, raise my heart.
Keep my whole being fixed on you.
Let me never lose sight of you;
and while I gaze on you,
let my love for you grow
more and more each day.
John Henry Newman, 1801- 1890, Anglican Priest, later Catholic Priest
Seasons of Devotion, slightly updated
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But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,
and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,
for these are opposed to each other,
to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
prayer & verse 