Where does this prayer come from?

It appears in Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, a Project Gutenberg public-domain ebook in the United States.

Communion with God — Augustine

Q: Can I pray this for someone else?

Yes. Adapt the pronouns or insert the person’s name while preserving the substance of the prayer.

Original prayer

Communion with God

O how shall I call upon God, my God and Lord, since, when I call for Him, I shall be calling Him into myself? And what room is there within me, whither my God can come into me? Whither can God come into me, God who made heaven and earth? Is there, indeed, O Lord my God, aught in me that can contain Thee? Do, then, heaven and earth, which Thou hast made, and wherein Thou hast made me, contain Thee? Or, because nothing which exists could exist without Thee, doth therefore whatever exists contain Thee? Since, then, I too exist, why do I seek that Thou shouldest enter into me, who were not, wert Thou not in me? Why? Because I am not gone down in hell, and yet Thou art there also. For if I go down into hell, Thou art there. I could not be, then, O my God, could not be at all, wert Thou not in me; or rather, unless I were in Thee, of whom are all things, by whom are all things, in whom are all things! Even so, Lord, even so. Whither do I call Thee, since I am in Thee? Or whence canst Thou enter into me? For whither can I go beyond heaven and earth, that thence my God should come into me, who hath said, “I fill the heaven and the earth”?

O God, the vessels which Thou fillest uphold Thee not, since, though they were broken, Thou wert not poured out, on us, Thou art not cast down, but Thou upliftest us; Thou art not dissipated, but Thou gatherest us....

Amen.

Direct answer

What this prayer is for

This prayer is for forgiveness, communion, rest. It gives the request old words: fewer tricks, more flame.

forgivenesscommunionrestForgivenessPardon

Use cases

Pray this when you’re asking for

forgiveness, communion, rest
mercy that is stronger than your mood
faithfulness when your own words are thin
God’s help for someone you are carrying in prayer

Short version

A shorter way to pray it

Lord, hear this ancient prayer for forgiveness, communion, rest. Give mercy, strength, and a heart made faithful before Thee. Amen.

Meaning

What this prayer means

This prayer comes from the ancient church’s habit of asking directly: for mercy, for holiness, for protection, for light. It does not perform spirituality. It reaches for God.

Use it as written, or let it become a frame for the person and need in front of you.

Personalize it

Pray it for yourself or someone else

For myself

Lord, hear this prayer in me: forgiveness, communion, rest.

For a friend

Lord, remember [Name]. Give them forgiveness, communion, rest.

For a group

Lord, grant us together forgiveness, communion, rest, and keep us faithful before Thee.

FAQ

Questions about this prayer

What is this prayer for?

It is for forgiveness, communion, rest.

Where does it come from?

It appears in Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, available through Project Gutenberg.

Can I pray this for someone else?

Yes. Change the pronouns or add a name, while keeping the heart of the prayer intact.