Lord Jesus, I am here to do as you told me. I have heard and read it many times, but now I am taking it seriously. I want to devote this time of prayer to you, to "ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his harvest" (Mt. 9:38), as you asked me to. You are the Lord of the harvest and so I come before you to make the petition you have put on my lips.  

Were it not for your desire and express command, perhaps I would never have thought to make this petition. I am always praying for myself and my needs, and occasionally for my loved ones. How seldom I ask you for something that seems not to have anything to do with me. I am always looking for things without having to give anything in return. And yet, when I stop to think, my prayer for apostles is also a gift for me, for these laborers you will send to your harvest will bring me the message of your word and your love.  

Enlighten me, Lord, for I do not know how to pray. Teach me to pray, to ask you for what is best. Send your Holy Spirit to give his Light and purify my prayer, making it humble, simple, persistent and full of faith, trust and love. I wish I could see you, Lord, in order to speak to you, as your Apostles saw you, as your Mother saw you. I wish I could hear your words and witness your actions. But now you come to me as nourishment for my spirit, your infinite power concealed under the appearance of bread - lest I have any fear of approaching you.  

I believe, Lord, Creator of the Universe, that you are really present in this wonderful sacrament in the form of bread that strengthens me on my journey to heaven. I believe, Lord, but increase my faith, even just to the size of a tiny mustard seed. I believe that you are here with me, that you listen to me, that you speak to my heart without the noise of words. Defenseless upon the altar, you are an eloquent sign of love and limitless self-giving.  

Not only do I believe in you, I trust in you, because you are my friend and have given up your life for me; you are the vine that enables me to bear fruit; you alone have words of eternal life, and you are the Good Shepherd who calls me by my name.  

I believe in you. I trust in you. And I love you. I love you because you have loved me first; you have given your life to redeem me from sin; you have opened to me the gates of your Kingdom; you forgive me when my life shows the least desire to repent. I love you for your unexpected gift of life; for the gift of my faith and baptism; for being born into a Christian family permeated by a faith that is simple, yet capable of lending meaning to my whole life. I love you because you love me with the tenderness of a father, with the fidelity of the best of friends, and with the passion of a lover. I love you because my life is full to overflowing with your gifts, undeserved gifts by which you lead me to yourself.  

I know, Lord, that I am a creature with no right to be in your presence. You are my Creator who made me out of nothing, but I approach you trusting in your kindness and mercy. I come "sick to my Savior, hungry and thirsty to the Fount of life, needy to the King of Heaven, a creature to its creator, desolate to my loving Comforter" (Imit. of Christ, IV, 2). With my sins, my unworthiness, and my malice I would not deserve to be in your presence, if it were not for your voice which calls to me: "Do not be afraid. It is I... Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest... Learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart." I accept your invitation and I come to learn from you. I come to ask for workers for your vineyard.  

Mary, Mother of priests, remain by my side; be the first to intercede and receive from your Son's Heart the grace of sending into the world priests and men and women consecrated to you and to your Kingdom.