7 Historical Prayers of Petition Every Believer Should Know

If you are anything like me then there are times when you feel so frustrated you don’t know what to pray. Or you feel like the weight of all the world is on your shoulders and you want to pray, but can’t for whatever reason. I’ve found it helpful in those instances to turn to historical prayers.

Historical prayers can serve as examples of prayers of petition. From them one can learn how to pray like the giants of the Christian faith. Through historical examples one can see what to petition God for and come to see the bigger picture of faith.

From the Desert Fathers to Augustine to the last century these are seven historical prayers of petition every believer should know.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

History

The serenity prayer is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) in the early 1930s. Originally, it served as the conclusion to longer prayers and sermons. In 1932-1933, Winnifred Wygal started quoting it and using it in YWCA literature. Throughout history, the language has been altered and updated as more and more organizations began to use it.

Today, it is used widely in Alcoholics Anonymous and related organizations. It is also seen in cards, wall art and other gift items distributed by Hallmark Cards. It is clear that the serenity prayer has gained global prominence as a prayer for strength and peace in the midst of life’s uncertain times.

Petition

This beautiful and simple prayer petitions God for three things: serenity, courage, and wisdom in facing life’s challenges and complexities.

Let me tell you, this week I’ve needed this prayer. There was an instant were I was frustrated with how something was done at church. I messed up. I let my emotions get the best of me and everyone saw how frustrated I was. It took me days to calm down. Praying this prayer helped me accept what happened even though I wasn’t happy with how it occurred.

The serenity prayer acknowledges our limitations in the circumstances of our everyday life and asks God to address them in way that helps us to reflect on the bigger picture. It balances both acceptance and proactive faith. The serenity prayer can serve as a guide for Christians in the midst of life, guiding us to focus on things of eternal weight.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in forgiving that one is forgiven,
it is in dying that one awakens to eternal life.

History

The prayer of St. Francis, also called the Peace Prayer, is often associated with St. Francis of Assis (1182-1226). Interestingly however, in it’s present form it can only be traced back to 1912 where it first appeared in small French Catholic magazine. Even then, no author was given.

So, how did get attributed to St. Francis? Well, in 1918 a Franciscan Father reprinted it in French without attribution on the back of a card depicting St. Francis, a well known peacemaker.

The Prayer of St. Francis, was frequently quoted and used throughout World War I and World War II for it’s focus on peace. The prayer above is an English translation of the original French text published in 1912.

Petition

The prayer of St. Francis asks God make us an instrument of peace. To become peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). It asks God to let the fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives. It asks God to take every natural human tendency and turn it into Christlike righteousness.

The prayer of St. Francis is a great reminder to live a life worthy of the calling we have been given as Christians (Ephesians 4:1). Its a call for selflessness, humility, and peace.

The Prayer of St. Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.

History

Not much is known about the history of this prayer other than its attribution to St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430). St. Augustine is one of the most influential church Fathers in history. Notable works of St. Augustine include Confessions, The City of God, and On Christian Doctrine.

Petition

The prayer of St. Augustine petitions God for holiness. We are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and this prayer asks God for help in that. Everything we think, do, love, and defend ought to be holy. This prayer emphasizes the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians.

It reminds me of the verse, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). The Prayer of St. Augustine is not only a petition to be holy, but also a reminder of our dependence of God for spiritual growth and strength.

The Prayer of Abandonment

Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You may do, I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me, and in all Your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to You with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, Lord,
and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve and with boundless confidence,
for You are my Father.

History

The prayer of abandonment was written by St. Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916). de Foucauld was French priest and missionary. Early in life, he drifted away from the faith and joined the military. He wrestled with doubts and was led to faith by understanding God as a loving Father.

After his conversion, he joined a monastery, traveled to Israel, served as a missionary in Morocco and Algeria, living a simple life of fraternity in the desert before being murdered by desert bandits.

This prayer was written during his years as a monk and reflects Christ’s surrender to God’s Will at the garden of gethsemane. St. Charles de Foucauld would introduce this prayer saying, “It is the last prayer of our Master…may it be ours…may it not only be the prayer of our last moment but that of all our moments.”

Petition

This prayer of abandonment petitions God to have His way with whoever prays it. It’s a complete, radical, and simple abandonment to the will of God. That said, it is not a prayer of hopelessness. It’s a prayer rooted in complete love and trust in who God and what He is like as a loving Father and Lord.

Personally, I find it kind of scary to pray this prayer as a believer, because there is such a radical abandonment and relinquishing of control. It’s asking God for His way or no way at all. But the reality is that it shouldn’t be scary. God wants what is best for us. Period. This prayer serves as a reminder to trust that promise and the loving relationship we have with God.

The Daily Prayer of George Whitefield

O Lord, give me a deep humility,
a well-guided zeal,
a burning love, and a single eye,
and let men and devils do their worst.
Let me faithfully discharge the work
Thou hast given me to do.

History

This prayer is attributed to George Whitefield (1714-1770). Whitefield was a central figure in the Great Awakening and one of the most famous preachers of the 1700s. He preached thousands of sermons to people in England, Scotland, and the British Colonies in America.

Whitefield’s ministry focused on preaching the gospel, personal salvation, and building an orphanage in the Georgia colony. As a slave holder, Whitefield advocated both for the presence of slaves in Georgia as well as their fair treatment. Whitefield played a significant role both in Colonial America and spreading evangelicalism, shaping modern Protestantism.

Petition

George Whitefield’s daily prayer petitions God for humility, zeal, and love. These qualities are essential to fulfilling our God given purpose and calling. It recognizes a dependence on God’s strength in the face of spiritual opposition. This prayer ask God to help keep the focus on spreading the kingdom and good news of the gospel a top priority (Matthew 6:33).

The petition for humility keeps us grounded in the reality of our need for God. Zeal keeps us focused on the God given mission, and love the means by which we fulfill it. George Whitefield’s daily prayer serves as a reminder and importance of being fully committed to the call of God in our lives.

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

History

The Jesus prayer is a short prayer rooted in Eastern Orthodoxy. It emerged as a central practice of the Desert Fathers in the 5th and 6th centuries. Though, it is often repeated continually as part of ritual prayer it can be powerful as a short and simple personal prayer.

The Jesus prayer is an amalgamation of several scriptures from the Bible (Philippians 2:11; Luke 1:35; and Luke 18:13). As such, it has come to be valued by Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Protestants alike. Though, it is most often seen in Eastern Orthodox liturgical practices as Protestants dislike the repetitive nature of the prayer as it is said over and over.

For more on the Jesus Prayer check out this article. In goes in-depth into what it is and Protestant concerns with the practice.

Petition

Despite the controversies around the practice of the Jesus prayer, it’s theology resonates throughout Christianity. It petitions God for mercy, something we are all constantly in need of. Why? Because, as the Jesus prayer makes clear, we are sinners. It’s simply a plea for the gospel to take affect and transform our lives.

The simplicity of the Jesus prayer makes it simple to remember and gives us the opportunity to focus on Christ, repentance, and our personal and unique relationship with God. The Jesus prayer serves as reminder of our need for forgiveness and grace and offers an opportunity to meditate on the goodness and love of God, regardless of the specific Christian denomination to which we hold.

John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will;
Put me to doing, put me to suffering;
Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,
Exalted for You or brought low for You;
Let me be full, let me be empty,
Let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

History

The Covenant Prayer is attributed to John Wesley (1703-1791). Wesley was the founder of Methodism and introduced the covenant prayer during annual revival services. Wesley was a close friend of George Whitefield who emphasized holiness and personal commitment to God throughout his preaching ministry.

The Covenant prayer was first used in 1755 and remains central to Methodist practice as a declaration of commitment to God. Wesley and his brother have left a lasting impact on Protestant Christianity.

Petition

John Wesley’s covenant prayer petitions God for His will to be done in the life of the person who prays. This is very similar to St. Charles de Fouclaud’s prayer of Abandonment mentioned earlier. Like that prayer, Wesley’s covenant prayer is a complete surrender to God’s Will, whatever that looks like and whatever that means.

It’s easy to pray “Thy will be done”, but it can be hard to mean it. Wesley’s prayer is request to serve God in any capacity. Though while St. Charles de Fouclaud rooted the reason in knowing God as a loving Father, Wesley roots surrender in complete trust in God’s sovereignty.

This covenant prayer challenges us to surrender and be obedient, to live with open hands, ready to accept God’s plans even if they conflict with our own personal desires. It serves to renew our focus and spiritual life, to realign our lives completely with God’s will.

Key Takeaways

In writing and researching for this article there were some key takeaways that I learned from historical prayers of petition.

First, is that they focus on asking God for qualities and characteristics that we should possess as Christians. They focus on big things like surrender, humility, trust, and mercy. They petition God for needs to live a Christian life well and not merely wants that would make life nice.

Secondly, they are simple. They are short and memorable. This makes them transformative as we can not only pray them to God but also meditate on them for spiritual growth. So, I want to challenge you (and myself) to work on remembering one. It might come in handy some day.

Lastly, these prayers of petition are God-focused. Not only do they focus on asking God for qualities we should possess, but also on seeing the gospel at work. These prayers make the simple request to see the gospel at work in us and through us. And that, that should be the heart of every prayer of petition we pray.