Let us Pray

A Prayer By St. John The Chrysostom

(He composed it in accordance with the sixth Psalm)

O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, for my life ceases like smoke and wastes away day by day, and there is no good work in me.  I have sinned before You more than all people and saddened Your Holy Spirit.  In vanities have I dissipated my days, and in dissemblance have I wasted away the token that You granted to me.  I have desecrated Your temple, which is my body, corrupted my soul, which You created in Your likeness, and marred the robe of my righteousness with lusts.  Therefore, I deserve all chastisement, but do not chastise me in Your wrath.  Summon me not until I have lighted my lamp.  Lay not Your hand upon me whilst I still am not clothed in the wedding garment.  Expose me not before Your throne, but have mercy upon me for I am weak in soul, mind and of heart.  Do You heal me, for even my bones are troubled.  The fear of my soul has intensified, for the days have run out and the time of harvest is near, and what to do I know not.  If I ask that You prolong my days I fear that I may prolong iniquities.  How long, O Lord, will You ignore and neglect me?  How long will You take heed not of me and will You not answer me?  Until when will You not come to my aid and extend mercy upon me?  Will You not, O Lord, pity, heal, guide and come to my aid? Be You mindful O Lord that the mind of man ever is inclined towards evil even from his youth.  Be mindful that there is none righteous in Your sight, that in sin my mother conceived me, and that even the very heavens are not pure in Your sight.

          Be mindful that should You judge us You will shut all mouths.  Who can offer due thanksgiving to Your ineffable loving kindness?  For we were not, and You did create us.  When we went astray and perished, You looked for and found us. We were naked and You clothed us, hungry and You filled us, thirsty and You gave us to drink.  We were in poverty, and You enriched us, strangers, and You gave us to possess Your kingdom.  Therefore, give us life and save us by Your mercy. Praise be to You for ever.  Amen.

e source:

The Spiritual Treasure on Canonical Prayer, By: Mor Ignatius Ephrem Barsoum