The Prayer of Augustine, also known as Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit, is a well-known prayer often recited by Christians around the world. St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) was a prominent theologian and bishop, whose profound writings and teachings on God’s nature and human experience shaped Christian thought.
His prayers reflect a deep understanding of the human heart’s restless search for God, famously expressed in his words “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” These prayers embody Augustine’s journey from a life of worldly pursuits to profound spiritual wisdom, making them particularly meaningful for those seeking deeper faith.
Historical Context
Saint: Augustine of Hippo
Feast Day: August 28
Patronage: Theologians, Printers, Brewers
Era: 4th-5th Century AD
Saint Augustine Prayer 1
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.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Augustine Prayer 2
Eternal God,
Who are the light of the minds that know you,
the joy of the hearts that love you,
and the strength of the wills that serve you;
grant us so to know you that we may truly love you,
and so to love you that we may fully serve you,
whom to serve is perfect freedom,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Augustine Prayer 3
Here is my heart, O God,
Here it is with all its secrets.
Look into my thoughts, O my hope,
and take away all my wrong feelings.
Let my eyes be ever on you
and release my feet from the snare.
I ask you to live with me, to reign in me,
to make this heart of mine a holy temple,
a fit dwelling for your divine majesty.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Augustine Prayer 4
Lord Jesus,
let me know myself and know you,
and desire nothing save only you.
Let me hate myself and love you.
Let me do everything for the sake of you.
Let me humble myself and exalt you.
Let me think of nothing except you.
Let me die to myself and live in you.
Let me accept whatever happens as from you.
Let me banish self and follow you,
and ever desire to follow you.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in you
that I may deserve to be defended by you.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear you,
and let me be among those who are chosen by you.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in you.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of you.
Let me cling to nothing save only to you,
and let me be poor because of you.
Look upon me, that I may love you.
Call me that I may see you,
and forever enjoy you.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Augustine Prayer 5
Lord, our God,
we are in the shadow of your wings.
Protect us and bear us up.
You will care for us as if we were little children,
even to our old age.
When you are our strength, we are strong;
but when we are our own strength, we are weak.
Our good always lives in your presence,
and we suffer when we turn our faces away from you.
We now return to you, O Lord
that we may never turn away again.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Augustine Prayer 6
Lead us, O God,
From the sight of the lovely things of the world
To the thought of thee their Creator;
And grant that delighting in the beautiful things of thy creation,
we may delight in thee, the first author of beauty
and the Sovereign Lord of all thy works,
blessed for evermore.
Amen.
