PRAYERS
Prayer is important! A large number of prayers exist that were composed and recorded by the saints of the early church from ancient and medieval times. This is a small collection of some of these prayers. What we mean to show here is how simple, real and relevant prayer has been over the history of the church. These prayers are in addition to those that are set forth in the Holy Bible, e.g. the prayer of the prophet Daniel (Daniel 9:4-19), and of Jesus (John 17: 1-26), as well as many others. It is easy to search them out on-line.
St. Francis Of Assisi (c. 1181-1226)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, not so much to be understood as to understand, not so much to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
Ephesians 1:17-19
Prayer people to receive a deeper revelation of Jesus
May “the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous;
Teach me to serve thee as thou deservest;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to seek for rest,
To labour and not to seek reward,
Save that of knowing that I do thy will.
Philippians 1:9-11
Prayer for an increase of love and righteousness
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine.
Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
For the Word of God to spread rapidly and be honored “…pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
Christ Jesus, when all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and our helplessness
Give us the sense of your presence
Your love and Your strength
Help us to have perfect trust
In your protecting love and strengthening power
So that nothing may frighten or worry us
For, living close to you we shall see
Your hand, your purpose, your will
Through all things
Amen
Colossians 1:9-12
Prayer to know God’s will and to be strengthened
“…praying and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”