Taken from my book A Calendar of Classic Prayer, an ancient prayer seeking God’s help making a fitting response through more committed discipleship.
Introduction
Today we’ve a prayer of St Basil the Great (c.330–379), a joyful acknowledgement of God’s mercy and goodness. It asks for help in making a fitting response through more committed discipleship – a desire that you, like me, will no doubt
share.
Prayer
O God and Lord of the Powers,
and Maker of all creation,
who, because of thy clemency and incomparable mercy,
didst send your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ
for the salvation of mankind,
and with his venerable cross didst tear asunder the record of our sins,
and thereby didst conquer the rulers and powers of darkness;
receive from us sinful people, O merciful Master,
these prayers of gratitude and supplication,
and deliver us from every destructive and gloomy transgression,
and from all visible and invisible enemies who seek to injure us.
Nail down our flesh with fear of you,
and let not our hearts be inclined to words
or thoughts of evil,
but pierce our souls with thy love,
that ever contemplating you,
being enlightened by you,
and discerning you,
the unapproachable and everlasting Light,
we may unceasingly render confession and gratitude to you:
the eternal Father,
with your only-begotten Son,
and with your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit,
now and ever,
and unto ages of ages.
Amen.