Welcome Prayer

Several months ago, a sweet friend shared a prayer with me, attributed to Father Thomas Keating. I continue to read it because it helps my anxious spirit and restless heart. It begins with the word “Welcome.” 

The Welcome Prayer

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

I welcome everything that comes to me todaybecause 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

I like the word “welcome”, don’t you? It’s a greeting that introduces someone to a new relationship, a new place, or a new situation. It’s meant to help someone feel at ease and accepted. I’m glad Father Keating starts with welcome…because the body of the prayer invites us to surrender; not always easy by any means.

Perhaps it’s easier to surrender if we’re sincerely welcoming all that God brings to us throughout the day. 

The prayer ends with an expression of desire to open up to God’s love and presence within. Keeping that in mind – realizing that this is the goal – encourages me say the welcome at the beginning and to sincerely pray the words of surrender. 

This prayer causes me to re-think what “welcome” really means in my life, because – as I offer these words – I am stating my willingness to welcome whatever comes my way as something from God. Or something that God can use. Something that helps me be healed in my body, my soul, my mind, or my emotions. because God actually can use the feelings and situations that arise for our healing. 

Obviously, it’s much easier to welcome circumstances that are pleasing and enjoyable. And let’s be honest – we’d rather not welcome the hard and difficult and painful stuff. When it comes, we would rather deny it or forget it. It’s almost like taking a pill to soothe a pain, rather than addressing the actual cause of the pain.

Instead, if we can welcome what seems unwelcoming, and bring it before our loving and gracious Lord, he can help us process our pain, which leads to further growth and healing. 

The prayer also invites us to let go of our desires. In themselves, desires for things like affection and affirmation and survival and a bit of control are not bad things. The problem comes when we hold them so tightly that our world becomes off-kilter if we don’t have them when and how we want them. In fact, sometimes our desires become so strong they are like an addiction, where we simply cannot stop demanding that our desires for control, approval or pleasure be fulfilled. 

As we let go of our desires…as we release control of ourselves and others to God…then we set ourselves free. We can open ourselves to God’s presence and love, which allows him to transform us from the inside out.

Several times each week I will recall parts of this prayer. It helps me to welcome the unexpected interruption, the sadness of a relational distress, or the demands and expectations of work. I repeat – often several times – that delightful word: “welcome”.

Welcome, welcome, welcome. 

If you’re struggling to welcome what life brings…if you’re struggling to let go of what you want and open yourself up to God…I invite you to repeat this prayer.

Often.

Let me pray for you now. Dear Lord, it can be difficult at times to welcome what you choose for us and to surrender what I want. And yet, you offer healing and freedom when we become open to your action within our hearts. Please help each person reading this blog to welcome all that comes their way throughout this day. As they welcome every thought, every emotion, every person, and every situation…I pray that they would experience your love and your presence. I ask this for each of them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.