Introduction
From my book A Calendar of Classic Prayer, a prayer today from St Augustine of Hippo (354–430). Many of his prayers are instantly recognisable, others less so, such is the volume of his output. In the following, he looks forward to God’s eternal kingdom, but this is no taking refuge in some ivory tower, getting through the present by focusing on blessing yet to come. Rather it’s a recognition that faith should mean joy here and now, every moment enriched by the touch of God’s hand.
Prayer
O God of truth,
grant me the happiness of heaven
so that my joy may be full in accord with your promise.
In the meantime let my mind dwell on that happiness,
my tongue speak of it,
my heart pine for it,
my mouth pronounce it,
my soul hunger for it,
my flesh thirst for it,
and my entire being desire it
until I enter through death in the joy of my Lord for ever.
Amen.