St. Teresa of Avila was a Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, and Doctor of the Church who lived during the 16th century. Known for her profound spiritual writings and mystical experiences, she reformed the Carmelite Order and left a rich legacy of teachings on prayer and contemplative life.
Her most famous prayer, known as the “Bookmark Prayer,” emphasizes trust in God’s unchanging nature and the sufficiency of His presence. St. Teresa’s prayers reflect her deep understanding of the spiritual life and continue to guide those seeking a deeper relationship with God through contemplative prayer.
Historical Context
Saint: Teresa of Avila
Feast Day: October 15
Patronage: Spain, sick people, people in religious orders
Era: 1515-1582 AD
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer 1
Lord,
Grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans,
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace,
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity
by me, in me, and through me.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer 2
Lord,
Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you,
all things will pass away.
God never changes;
patience obtains all things,
whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer 3
O Saint Teresa,
Seraphic Virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord,
thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense
toward thy God and my God,
and now dost glow with a brighter and purer flame in paradise:
obtain for me also, I beseech thee,
a spark of that same holy fire
which shall cause me to forget the world,
all things created, and even myself;
for thou didst ever avidly desire to see Him loved by all men.
Grant that my every thought and desire and affection
may be continually directed to doing the will of God,
the supreme Good, whether I am in joy or in pain,
for He is worthy to be loved and obeyed forever.
Obtain for me this grace, thou who art so powerful with God;
may I be all on fire, like thee, with the holy love of God.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer 4
Lord,
You know better than I myself that I am growing older
and will someday be old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking
I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.
Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom,
it seems a pity not to use it all;
but You know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains;
they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them
is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for improved memory,
but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness
when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet,
for a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places
and talents in unexpected people;
and give, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Amen.
