Michel Quoist was a Priest and author. He was born in 1921 and died in 1997.

This is one of his many beautiful prayers.   I hope it touches you as it has touched me.

The Sea

Lord , I saw the sea attacking the rocks , somber and raging .
From afar the waves gained momentum .
High and proud , they leapt , jostling one another to be the first to strike .
When the white foam drew back , leaving the rock clear , they gathered themselves to rush forward again .

The other day I saw the sea , calm and serene .
The waves came from afar , creeping , not to draw attention .
Quietly holding hands , they slipped noiselessly and stretched at full length on the sand , to touch the shore with the tips of their beautiful , soft fingers .
The sun gently caressed them , and they generously returned streams of light .

Lord , grant that I may avoid useless quarrels that tire and wound without achieving results .
Keep me from these angry outbursts that draw attention but leave one uselessly weakened .
Keep me from wanting to always outstrip others in my conceit , crushing those in my way .
Wipe from my face the look of dark , dominating anger .
Rather , Lord , grant that I may live my days calmly and fully ,
as the sea covers the whole shore .
Make me humble like the sea , as , silently and gently , it spreads out , unnoticed .
May I wait for my brothers and sisters and match my pace to theirs , that I may move upward with them.

Grant me the triumphant perseverance of the waters .
May each of my retreats turn into an advance .
Give my face the light of clear waters .
Give my soul the whiteness of foam .
Illumine my life that it may sing like sunbeams on the surface of the sea .
But above all , Lord , may I not keep this light for myself , and may all those who come near me return home eager to bathe in your eternal grace .