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I found this beautiful prayer of St. John Chrysostom (“John the golden mouth”). St. John (4th cent.) was a prince among preachers, with a passion for building up Christians on the Word of God. He became Bishop of Constantinople, but was exiled because the empress disapprove of his prophetic and convicting sermons. In the icon below he is depicted with a larger than usual head, as an homage to his superior intellect!
Here’s a good prayer for before opening God’s Word, or listening to a sermon:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear your word and understand and do your will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of your law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. On You I set my hope, O my God, that You will enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. For You are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from You comes every good deed and every gift. Amen.”
And, since you like the Church Fathers, let me also invite you to listen to this hymn, Prince of Peace, inspired by St. Athanasius On the Incarnation:
Señor y Soberano de mi vida. Líbrame del espíritu de indolencia, desaliento, vanagloria y palabra inútil. Y concédeme a mí, tu siervo pecador el espíritu de castidad, humildad, paciencia y amor.
Si, Rey mío y Dios mío, concédeme de conocer mis faltas y no juzgar a mis hermanos porque eres bendito por siempre. Amén.
San Efrén el Sirio vivió en el siglo cuarto, y fué un gran defensor de la fé cristiana.
Que ésta bella oración nos acompañe mientras caminamos con Jesús a la cruz.
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
St. Ephrem the Syrian was a a gifted teacher, poet, teacher, orator, and a courageous defender of the faith. He opposed the many false doctrines rampant at his time, always remaining a true and forceful protector of Christian doctrine.My loving wife Susan, who is Eastern Orthodox, introduced me a couple of years ago to this simple and beautiful prayer. St. Ephrem’s words are pregnant with meaning – and I think it captures in it the essence of many Scriptures: The Lord’s prayer, the Greatest Commandments, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 13 come to mind.In these days of loud and mean-spirited discourse, it is good for us Christians to bow our heads as we mourn for our own sins during Lent. The Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be living icons of grace and truth; His ambassadors in this wounded planet. In this prayer, we have been gifted a sweet treasure as we journey with Jesus Christ to the Cross!
Carlos Colón 