I bring this prayer to you, Lord,
For you alone can give
What one cannot demand from oneself.
Give me, Lord, what you have left over,
Give me what no one ever asks of you.

I don't ask you for rest or quiet,
Whether of soul or body;
I don't ask you for wealth,
Nor for success, nor even health perhaps.

All those things you're asked for so much
That you can't have any of it left
Give me, Lord, what you have left over,
Give me what no one wants from you.

I want uncertainty and doubt.
I want torment and battle.
And I want you to give me these
Once and for all.
So that I can be sure of having them always,
Since I shall not always have the courage
To ask you for them.