I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life…
““I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for your glory ... You alone know what is expedient for me; you are the sovereign master, do with me according to your will. Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to yours. I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow you, and bad to offend you. Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything. I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in the world. That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of your providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The prayer expresses total surrender to divine will, acknowledging human ignorance of what truly benefits us and trusting God's providence.
In simple terms: He asks God to align his will with God's, admitting he cannot judge good or bad.
Key Takeaway
Trust in divine guidance over personal judgment.
Themes
faith
humility
divine will
trust
ignorance
Mood
contemplative
devotional
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily prayer
- spiritual counseling
- meditative reading
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
theodicy
spiritual surrender
human limitation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does surrender look like in everyday choices?
- How can one balance personal responsibility with trust in divine providence?
A Different Perspective
Human reason cannot fully discern ultimate good, leading to potential over‑reliance on faith.