Thomas More’s prayer for good humor asks for lightness of soul even when the weight of the world presses down. This prayer for good humor thomas more is a timeless request for grace, patience, and a cheerful spirit in the face of life’s daily trials. It is not about forcing laughter, but about finding a steady, gentle joy that does not depend on perfect circumstances.
You might be looking for a way to stay calm when things go wrong. Maybe you need a reminder not to take yourself too seriously. The prayer of Thomas More offers exactly that—a short, honest plea for God to grant a sense of humor, especially when life feels heavy.
This article walks you through the prayer itself, its background, and how you can use it in your own life. You will find practical steps, historical context, and a few simple ways to make this prayer part of your daily routine.
Who Was Thomas More?
Thomas More was a lawyer, writer, and statesman in 16th-century England. He served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII. He is best known for his book Utopia and for his refusal to accept the king as head of the Church of England.
More was executed for his beliefs in 1535. He faced his death with remarkable calm and even humor. On the scaffold, he reportedly joked with the executioner. This attitude of cheerful courage is exactly what his prayer for good humor captures.
He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Today, he is the patron saint of lawyers, politicians, and statesmen. But his prayer speaks to anyone who wants to keep a light heart in difficult times.
The Full Text Of The Prayer For Good Humor Thomas More
Here is the complete prayer as it is commonly attributed to Thomas More. Read it slowly. Let the words sink in.
“Grant me, O Lord, good humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, to get some happiness out of life, and to pass it on to others.”
That is the core of it. The prayer continues with a few more lines about patience and perspective. But these opening words are the heart of the request. They ask for something simple yet profound: the ability to laugh, to enjoy life, and to share that joy.
Prayer For Good Humor Thomas More
This exact heading is important for anyone searching for the prayer. The full version of the prayer often includes these additional lines:
- “Grant me the grace to take a joke without getting angry.”
- “Help me to see the funny side of my own mistakes.”
- “Give me a spirit that is light and free, not weighed down by worry.”
- “Let me bring cheerfulness to others, especially when they are sad.”
The prayer is short enough to memorize. Many people keep it on a card in their wallet or pinned to their desk. It serves as a quick reminder to reset your attitude when stress builds up.
Why This Prayer Matters Today
You live in a world that often feels serious and overwhelming. News cycles are full of conflict. Work demands are high. Personal relationships can be strained. In the middle of all this, a prayer for good humor might seem trivial. But it is not.
Humor is a survival skill. It helps you see problems in proportion. It lowers stress hormones. It connects you to other people. Thomas More understood this centuries before modern psychology confirmed it.
His prayer is not asking for silly jokes or constant laughter. It asks for a deep, stable sense of perspective. It asks for the ability to laugh at yourself, which is the most freeing kind of humor.
How To Use The Prayer In Daily Life
You do not need to be religious to benefit from this prayer. You can treat it as a meditation or a mantra. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate it into your day.
- Morning recitation. Say the prayer as soon as you wake up. It sets a tone for the day.
- Before a stressful meeting. Take a breath and whisper the words. It reminds you not to take everything so seriously.
- When you make a mistake. Instead of getting frustrated, repeat the line about seeing the funny side of your own errors.
- At the end of the day. Reflect on moments where you could have used more humor. Ask for help to do better tomorrow.
The prayer works best when you say it with intention. Do not rush through the words. Pause after each request. Imagine what it would feel like to have that grace.
The History Behind The Prayer
There is some debate about whether Thomas More actually wrote this exact prayer. Some scholars say it was written later and attributed to him because of his known character. Others believe it comes from his personal writings.
Regardless of its exact origin, the prayer fits More’s life perfectly. He was known for his wit, even in prison. He wrote letters to his daughter Margaret that were full of affection and humor. He faced his trial and execution with a calm that amazed everyone.
His last words to the executioner were reportedly: “Pluck up thy spirits, man, and be not afraid to do thine office. My neck is very short. Take care therefore thou strike not awry, for saving of thine honesty.”
That is the spirit of the prayer. It is humor in the face of death. It is grace under pressure.
What The Prayer Teaches Us About Humor
Humor is not the opposite of seriousness. It is a companion to it. You can care deeply about something and still laugh. You can be in pain and still find moments of lightness.
The prayer teaches several lessons about good humor:
- Humor is a gift you can ask for. It is not just a personality trait.
- Humor is meant to be shared. The prayer asks for the ability to pass joy to others.
- Humor requires humility. You have to be willing to laugh at yourself.
- Humor is a form of courage. It helps you face difficulties without being crushed.
These lessons are practical. They are not abstract ideas. You can apply them today.
Practical Steps To Cultivate Good Humor
If you want to live the prayer, not just say it, try these steps. They are simple actions that build a habit of humor.
Step 1: Notice When You Are Too Serious
Pay attention to your body and mood. Are your shoulders tight? Is your jaw clenched? Are you frowning? These are signs that you have lost perspective. When you notice them, take a breath and say the prayer.
Step 2: Find One Funny Thing Each Day
It can be a meme, a joke from a friend, or a silly moment with your pet. The point is to train your brain to look for humor. Write it down if you want. Share it with someone.
Step 3: Laugh At Your Own Mistakes
This is hard. No one likes to feel foolish. But when you spill coffee or forget an appointment, try to see the absurdity. You are human. Mistakes happen. Laughing at them takes away their power.
Step 4: Use The Prayer As A Reset Button
Keep the prayer on your phone or in a note. When you feel anger or frustration rising, read it. Let the words calm you down. Then choose a lighter response.
Step 5: Share A Joke Or A Smile
The prayer asks for the grace to pass happiness to others. Do this deliberately. Compliment someone. Tell a harmless joke. Just smile at a stranger. These small acts spread good humor.
Common Misunderstandings About The Prayer
Some people think the prayer is about ignoring problems or being flippant. That is not true. Thomas More was a serious man with serious convictions. He did not avoid hard things. He faced them with humor.
Good humor does not mean you do not care. It means you care without being consumed by anxiety. It means you can hold both sorrow and joy at the same time.
Another misunderstanding is that humor is a natural gift you either have or do not. The prayer assumes humor can be cultivated. You can ask for it. You can practice it. It is a skill, not a fixed trait.
How The Prayer Relates To Modern Stress
Modern life is full of stressors that Thomas More could not have imagined. Constant notifications. Information overload. Social media comparisons. These things drain your mental energy and make you more serious.
The prayer is a counterbalance. It reminds you that not everything is an emergency. It gives you permission to step back and breathe. It helps you prioritize what truly matters.
Research shows that humor reduces cortisol levels and boosts immune function. It improves relationships and increases resilience. The prayer is essentially a prescription for better mental health.
Using The Prayer In Difficult Times
When you are going through a hard season—illness, loss, financial trouble—humor can feel impossible. That is when the prayer is most needed. It does not ask you to pretend everything is fine. It asks for a small opening, a crack of light.
You can adapt the prayer to your situation. Say: “Lord, give me good humor even in this pain. Help me to see one small thing to smile about today.” That is enough.
Variations Of The Prayer
Over the years, different versions of the prayer have appeared. Some are longer. Some are more poetic. Here are a few variations you might encounter.
- Short version: “Grant me, O Lord, good humor. Amen.”
- Daily version: “Give me a sense of humor, Lord. Give me the grace to see a joke, to get some happiness out of life, and to pass it on to others.”
- Comprehensive version: Includes requests for patience, humility, and the ability to laugh at oneself.
Choose the version that resonates with you. The exact words matter less than the intention behind them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Prayer For Good Humor Actually Written By Thomas More?
There is no definitive proof that Thomas More wrote these exact words. However, the prayer reflects his known character and writings. It is widely attributed to him and fits his life story perfectly.
Can I Use This Prayer If I Am Not Religious?
Yes. You can treat it as a meditation or a personal affirmation. The request for good humor is universal. You do not need to believe in God to benefit from the practice of seeking lightness and joy.
How Often Should I Say The Prayer?
There is no rule. Some people say it daily. Others say it only when they feel stressed. The key is to use it as a tool, not a chore. Say it whenever you need a reminder to lighten up.
What Is The Best Way To Memorize The Prayer?
Write it down on a small card. Read it three times in the morning and three times at night. After a week, you will likely know it by heart. Repetition is the simplest method.
Does The Prayer Work For Serious Situations?
Yes. Thomas More used humor in the face of execution. The prayer is not about ignoring reality. It is about finding a way to carry reality without being crushed by it. It works in the most serious moments because it gives you perspective.
Final Thoughts On The Prayer For Good Humor
Thomas More’s prayer is a small gift you can give yourself every day. It takes only a few seconds to say, but its effects can last for hours. It trains your mind to look for lightness, even when life is heavy.
You do not need to be a saint or a scholar to use it. You just need to be willing to ask for a little more joy. Start today. Say the prayer once. See how it feels. Then say it again tomorrow.
The world will always give you reasons to be serious. The prayer gives you a reason to smile anyway. That is the gift of Thomas More’s good humor. It is not about escaping reality. It is about meeting reality with a light heart and a steady soul.
Keep the prayer close. Use it often. Pass it on to someone who needs it. That is how good humor spreads.