Saint augustine Archives

A Prayer for Purity Through the Intercession of St. Augustine

“A Prayer for Purity Through the Intercession of St. Augustine” is a Catholic prayer that turns to our beloved St. Augustine, who battled lust and impurity firsthand. Before his conversion, he spent years chasing worldly pleasure, famously admitting to God, “Grant me chastity, but not yet.” That candid struggle, followed by his complete transformation through grace, is what makes him a natural intercessor for anyone fighting the same battle today.

This prayer asks him to intercede before the Lord for freedom from lust and impurity, for a mind renewed and a heart guarded against temptation, and for the courage to answer God’s call without delay. It closes by placing that plea directly before Christ, echoing the humble cry of the publican: Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.

A Prayer For Purity Through the Intercession of St. Augustine

Prayer Video

O St. Augustine, you who once wandered far into sin and knew the heavy chains of lust before Christ set you free, hear my prayer.

You cried out to God, “Grant me chastity, but not yet,” and yet in His mercy, the Lord did not abandon you to that delay. He broke the hold of disordered desire upon your heart and gave you the strength to live in purity and truth.

I come to you now, weighed down by the same struggle. Intercede for me before the Lord, that I may be freed from the grip of lust and impurity. Ask our Savior to renew my mind, to guard my eyes and my heart, and to give me the courage to turn away from sin before it takes deeper root.

You know how hard the fight can be, and you know the joy that waits on the other side of it. Pray that I may not delay in answering God’s call, but surrender fully to His grace today.

Through your intercession, may I walk in purity, and may my heart find the rest it was made for in God alone. Amen.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.

A Prayer For Purity

Through the Intercession of St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer

St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer is a beautiful prayer composed by St. Augustine asking God to be present during the night hours, in particularly those who are awake (perhaps from insomnia or by choice), those who are “watching” (keeping vigil – whether in prayer, caring for the sick, or standing guard), and those who are weeping or in distress.

In Christian tradition, “watching” or “keeping watch” carries profound spiritual significance, echoing Jesus’s instruction to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to “watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). This concept of watchfulness represents spiritual alertness, readiness in faith, and attentiveness to God’s presence and will.

Video — St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Loving Lord; rest Your weary ones; bless Your dying ones; soothe Your suffering ones; pity Your afflicted ones; shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake. Amen.

Per St. Augustine: “Love God, and Do Whatever You Please.”

St. Augustine’s bold statement, “Love God, and do whatever you please,” may seem like a license for recklessness, but a closer look reveals a life-changing perspective on the nature of love and desire.

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St. Augustine, one of the most influential theologians in the history of the Church, left us with a profound and often misunderstood quote: “Love God, and do whatever you please.”

At first glance, this statement might seem to promote a life of self-indulgence and disregard for God’s commandments. However, when we delve deeper into the context and true meaning behind St. Augustine’s words, we discover a profound truth about the nature of love and our relationship with God.

St. Augustine understood that true love for God transforms our desires and aligns them with His will. When we genuinely “love God with all our heart, soul, and mind” (Matthew 22:37), our actions naturally flow from that love. We begin to desire what God desires for us, and our will becomes conformed to His.

In this light, “do whatever you please” does not mean following our sinful inclinations or disregarding moral principles. Instead, it suggests that when our love for God is authentic and all-consuming, our “pleasure” will be to do what pleases Him. Our deepest joy will be found in living according to His commandments and seeking His will in all things.

St. Augustine’s own life serves as a testament to this truth. Before his conversion, he pursued worldly pleasures and ambitions, yet he found himself restless and unfulfilled.

In his famous work, “Confessions“, he wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” It was only when he surrendered his life to God and allowed divine love to transform him that he discovered true peace and purpose.

As Catholics, we are called to cultivate this transformative love for God. Through prayer, the sacraments, and a deep relationship with Christ, we allow His love to shape our desires and guide our actions. When we love God above all else, we find freedom not in doing whatever we want, but in wanting what God wants for us.

Reflecting on St. Augustine’s words with renewed understanding, we should strive to love God so completely that our greatest pleasure is found in pleasing Him.

As we grow in love, our lives will bear witness to the joy and freedom that comes from aligning our will with God’s perfect plan. Let us embrace this profound truth and allow it to transform our hearts, drawing us ever closer to the God who loves us beyond measure.