Wisdom/Discernment
9 prayers
PRAYER OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, 1347-1380
O eternal Trinity, with the light of understanding I have tasted and seen the depths of your mystery and the beauty of your creation. In seeing myself in you, I have seen that I will become like you. O eternal Father, from your power and your wisdom clearly you have given to me a share of that wisdom which belongs to Thine only-begotten Son. And truly have the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from you, Father and Son, given to me the desire to love you. O eternal Trinity, you are my maker and I am your creation. Illuminated by you, I have learned that you have made me a new creation through the blood of your only begotten Son because you are captivated by love at the beauty of your creation. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, 1225-1274
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. ANSELM, 1033-1109
Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being. Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS À KEMPIS, 1380-1470
Lord, You know what is best; let this be done or that be done as You please. Give what You will, as much as You will, when You will. Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, and will be for Your greater honor. Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You-would that I could do this worthily and perfectly! Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT, 480-547
Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 354-430
Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of your brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto you, therefore perfect what you have begun, and what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek your face; turn your face unto us and show us your glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. PATRICK, 387-493
May the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the Word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. JEROME, 342-420
Lord, you have given us your Word for a light to shine upon our path; grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM, 347-407
Almighty God, who has given us at this time with one accord to make our common prayer to you; and does promise that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you will grant their request, fulfill now, 0 Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth; and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.