The Kitchen Prayer

Lord of all pots and pans and things
Since I've no time to be a great saint by doing lovely things,
Or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawnlight,
Or storming heaven's gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals,
And washing up the plates.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy Love,
And light it with Thy peace;
Forgive me all my worrying,
And make my grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
In room, or by the sea, accept the service that I do—
I do it unto Thee.

Attributed to St. Teresa of Avila