The Welcoming Prayer

Human beings, by nature, desire to succeed and prosper always. Yet, failure and wounds, and all the feelings attached to these experiences are part of human existence. The attempt to avoid necessary and existential pain only adds to suffering and makes life miserable. Life needs to be accepted with all its complexities of joy and sorrow. Beyond a certain point it is acceptance that brings healing and not resistance. Some failures are overcome not by resistance but by acceptance. And some healings only take place by embracing brokenness (e.g., pain of rejection, separation, and death). Unless we create space in our spirit that can embrace not only success but also failure, not only wellness but also wounds, we will remain in a world of fantasy, away from true growth and wholeness. We need to abandon our futile resistance to all that life has to offer. We need to give up our grandiose desire to become God and control life. Rather, we need to avoid the traps of our ego and open ourselves to life and to God in all humility so that genuine growth can be rooted in God. 

Mary Mrozowski, a founder of Contemplative Outreach, first composed the prayer and later Father Thomas Keating developed it into what is now popularly known as the Welcoming Prayer.[1] The Welcoming Prayer has been found life-changing by many. Here is the prayer:

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

I welcome everything that comes to me today, because I know it’s for my healing.

I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions.

I let go of my desire for power and control.

I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure.

I let go of my desire for survival and security.

I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself.

I open to the love and presence of God and God’s action within. Amen.[2]

 

“When we welcome “what is” in our life, it doesn’t mean that we don’t want or don’t need change or growth. It means that we accept what comes our way and invite God into it”.^[3] The Welcoming Prayer is profound and invites us to let go of situations that are beyond our control, to welcome all that life brings, and to know that in such openness and humility, God can heal and transform our lives. 

Recite the Welcoming Prayer consciously, preferably in the morning hours. The Welcoming Prayer has the power to transform our day and life. 

 

John Baptist, OFM Cap. | Pastoral Clinical Counselor | Pennsylvania, USA

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[1] A Sacred Journey, How to practice Welcoming Prayer

[2] The Cross Ministry Group, The Welcoming Prayer (by Father Thomas Keating)

[3] The Cross Ministry Group, The Welcoming Prayer (by Father Thomas Keating)