OLD WEAKNESSES

By John Herlihy

Lord, give back to me much-needed strength;

Take away from me all the old weaknesses.

Give me the courage to see through the day;

Take away all those worries that come at night.

Give me the patience when I need to simply wait;

Take away the sense of hurry that rushes forward.

Give me the imagination to always arrive on time;

Take away the impulses that have me arrive late.

Give me a fresh insight to discover who I really am;

Take away all those urges that define who I am not.

Give me the fortitude, the strength, to see life through;

Take away those old weaknesses that lead me astray.

Let them die a natural death as they so rightly deserve;

Let me find and nurture new strengths I need to preserve.