Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus (St Richard)
Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the good things you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day. Amen.
Text: our own text or translation, written for Verso.
About this prayer
St Richard, bishop of Chichester, died in 1253. His biographer Ralph Bocking records his deathbed thanks to Christ for all his gifts and for all he suffered. The petition to know, love and follow him more clearly, dearly and nearly was added in English around 1900, and the words 'day by day' later still, in hymn books.