Over a thousand years before the last wave of schismatics, the Church Fathers helped build and guide The Only Church Jesus Founded. This prayer, from St. John Chrysostum, gives us a way to stay close to God every hour of every day and night.
The Eighth Prayer
Attributed to Saint John Chrysostom, this prayer has twenty-four petitions, one for each hour of the day.
1. O Lord, do not deprive me of your heavenly riches.
2. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torments.
3. O Lord, if I have sinned by mind, thought, word, or deed forgive me.
4. O Lord, deliver me from every type of ignorance, apathy, and faint-heartedness.
5. O Lord, deliver me from every type of temptation.
6. O Lord, enlighten my heart, which sinful desires cloud.
7. O Lord, I, a human, have sinned. You, as a gracious God, see the weakness in my soul and have mercy on me.
8. O Lord, send your grace to me as a help, so that I may glorify your holy Name.
9. O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me in the book of life and grant to me a good end.
10. O Lord, my God, even though I have done nothing good before You, grant that I may lay down a worthy beginning according to your goodness.
11. O Lord, sprinkle in my heart the dew of your grace.
12. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, your sinful servant, in your kingdom. Amen.
13. O Lord, receive me in repentance.
14. O Lord, do not forsake me.
15. O Lord, do not lead me into misfortune.
16. O Lord, give me good thoughts.
17. O Lord, give me tears and a remembrance of death.
18. O Lord, give me the thought of confessing my sins.
19. O Lord, give me humility, purity, and obedience.
20. O Lord, give me suffering, generosity, and meekness.
21. O Lord, implant in my heart the root of all good and the fear of You.
22. O Lord, enable me to love You with my whole heart and mind, and to do your will in all things.
23. O Lord, protect me from unjust people, demons, sufferings, and from every other evil.
24. O Lord, you are known in your work and in your will; let your will be in me, a sinner, for You are blessed forever.
Amen.
Reading the list of what we may ask God to provide helps us see that we have fallen short, but still have hope. When we read the list of prayers, try to pick out the most important. Then, we realize they are all important.
God bless us all.
