Prayers of the Saints
Prayer of St. Augustine — Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit
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 may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
that I may defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy. Amen.
Attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo (d. 430)
About the prayer
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) converted after years of restless searching, famously praying, "You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." This short invocation of the Holy Spirit, drawn from his writings and shaped by later devotional use, asks for the Spirit to reach every part of a person: thought, work, desire, courage, and protection. It is a good morning prayer, and a good prayer at the start of any task you cannot do on your own strength.
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