A Devotion of Prayers
Thomas Waters
I find many sources for meditation, spiritual growth and devotion. Among those sources are prayers. I am taught, I am nurtured and I worship the Lord by reading and reflecting on worthy prayers of others. Below are some of the written prayers of the man know as St. Augustine of Hippo (b. 354 – d. 430). Augustine, a philosopher and theologian, is considered as one of the greatest Christian thinkers of all times. His writings influenced generations, continents and cultures. May you discover the prayers below a source of reflection, instruction and praise!
“O God, my Father, I am seeking you, not making statements about you. Help me and guide me. But how do I seek you, O Lord? For when I seek you, my God, it is happiness that I seek. Therefore, let me seek you that my soul may live; as my body lives by my soul, my soul lives by you.”
“Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.”
“God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down;
when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, we beseech you; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise.”
“For your mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: "I am your salvation." So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: "I am your salvation." After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; do you repair it. There are thing in it - I confess and I know - that must offend your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to what others besides you shall I cry out? From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare your servant. Amen.”
"Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord"
How is your heart reader? Is your heart restless? Until you rest in the Lord Jesus you will never find lasting meaning and joy. The things of this world can not satisfy you because the void in your heart is a God-shaped hole and it can not be filled by the trinkets of this world. Christ says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30). |
Older
Top
