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When you need hope, turn to this prayer of St. Augustine

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Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 08/28/19
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O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me …

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This Act of Hope is widely attributed to St. Augustine. Let us turn to it, that we might grow in hope for the only thing we truly need:

For your mercies’ sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: “I am your salvation.” So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it.

The house of my soul is too small to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; do you repair it.

There are things in it – I confess and I know – that must offend your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to what others besides you shall I cry out?

From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare your servant. Amen.



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