What is “The Farmer’s Prayer”?

One of the most important Polish artists is Artur Grottger (1837-1867). It is said that when Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), wrote the Polish national anthem, he drew inspiration from a series of Artur Grotter’s drawings.

Among Artur Grottger’s paintings is “The Farmer’s Prayer”, which depicts a farmer at sunset, stopping to pray after spending the day plowing and planting. It is this painting, which we hope will inspire us all to pray for a spiritual harvest from the plowing and seed planting that has already begun throughout Poland.

Prayer of the Christian Spiritual Farmer

O God, Source and Giver of all things, Who manifests Your infinite majesty, power and goodness in the earth about us, we give You honor and glory.

Your holiness and truth are the sun which provide the light, and your compassion and patience are the water, which together, grow the seeds of Your gospel planted in the open hearts of those around us. For sustaining us in the labor You have given us, and for Your steadfastness despite our weaknesses when we fail, we are grateful.

Supreme Lord of the harvest, we cry out to You, knowing that In You alone, by the power of Your grace will we and those around us be able to grow until Your Spirit in us yields the fruits of Your presence in our lives. As vines to the branch, by Your strength, we cling to Christ, Your Son, who, just as He has provided atonement for our sins, will also provide for the continuing growth of Your family, His Church, in this place. Amen.

Prayer Modified from: Novena in Honor of St. Isidore: Patron of Farmers by National Catholic Rural Life Conference, National Catholic Rural Life Conference.