Prayers of the Saints
I came across this post by a stranger called Lao Man on his blog. It moved me deeply, so I’ve taken these two excerpts to share here.
Theoretical Prayer by John Wesley
Have you ever spent a day in fasting and prayer? Striving earnestly before the throne of grace, praying with perseverance, until finally, mercy will come.
Give me a hundred ministers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God. Such people will shake the gates of hell and establish the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but through prayer. Everything He does is in response to human prayer.
Christ has many tasks for us. Some are easy, some difficult. Some bring honor, some bring shame. Some align with our natural inclinations and worldly interests, others go against both. Yet Christ has given us the power to accomplish all these tasks.
A Prayer by Augustine
O Lord full of mercy! In You, I have found life and knowledge. I entrust my body and soul entirely to You. You are the end of my journey and the resting place along the way. You allow me shelter in the shadow of Your wings, so my spirit can rest from the distractions of worldly thoughts.
Lord, please calm this turbulent heart of mine, so it may find rest in You.
Bestower of all blessings, I ask You to renew the spirit of steadfast loyalty, making my scattered thoughts and strength harmonious in You. Let my captive spirit find release. Behold! You stand gently knocking at my heart’s door. Let me open it to You; come in and revive my spirit. For God is the source of life and the eternally radiant light.
My God, You are the light of the blind, the strength of the weak. You are also the strength of the strong, the light of the bright. Please listen to the deepest prayers of my spirit. Lord, help us turn to You and seek You, for You have not abandoned what Your hands have made, unlike others who forsake You.
Guide us to seek You, as we know You dwell within us. When we repent and take refuge under Your wings, we weep for having strayed and You gently wipe away our tears. At that moment, we cry out of joy, for the Creator who made us continues to rebuild and comfort us.
Lord, hear our prayer and help us love You wholeheartedly. Save us from eternal temptation. Amen.
O God, Your saints are blessed. They safely crossed the waves of this world to reach spiritual joy and peace. Lord, please look after us with mercy, as we still travel the dangerous roads of the world. Remember us as we are tossed by the winds of trials and temptations, and rescue us from every peril.
Lord, let our little boat safely reach the harbor we hope for. God, You are the light to the humble seekers of God, the life to the sincere lovers of God, and the power to the true searchers of God. Help me remain faithful unto death in Your holy love, finding complete joy in You.
Let me offer everything to You and invite You into my heart to dwell. I know my spirit is cramped and not enough to contain Your presence, but please enlarge it for me. There is only rubble and ruin—please build them up.
Where there is impurity, who else but You can I ask to cleanse it for me? I plead with You to remove my hidden sins. Let Your servant not become arrogant or be overcome by sin.