Prayer for Generosity (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

This short prayer for generosity is traditionally attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Jesuits, and it captures the spirit of his Spiritual Exercises: wholehearted service of God without calculating the cost. It has been a favorite of students, soldiers, scouts, and volunteers for generations.

Pray it when you are tired of giving, before a demanding day of work or service, or when discerning a vocation. It asks for the grace to give without counting, to keep going when it hurts, and to find reward simply in doing God's will. St. Ignatius's feast is July 31.

The Prayer

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that I do Thy will. Amen.

Sources: Prayer for Generosity, traditionally attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola; traditional English form, public domain.

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