“Lord, my God, You who are holy, look and see my affliction! Have pity on the child whom You have engendered in sorrow and do not consider my sins, lest you forget Your power over them. What father will not liberate his son? And what son has not been chastised by his father’s compassionate rod? O Father and Lord, although I am a sinner, I am nonetheless Your child, because You have created and recreated me. Can a mother forget the fruit of her womb? If she should forget – You, Father, have promised to remember. 
Behold! I cry, and You do not hearken to me, I am torn with grief, and You do not console me. What shall I say, what shall I do, miserable creature that I am? Deprived of Your consolation, I am far away from Your sight.
O Lord Jesus, where are Your ancient mercies? Shall You be angry with me forever? Be appeased, I beg You and do not turn Your Face away from me… I confess that I have sinned, but I am certain that Your mercy surpasses all my offenses!
Weep, my soul, and complain, miserable one; groan because You have sent away Your Spouse, Jesus Christ, the All-powerful God; do not be angry with me, O Lord, for I could never withstand Your anger. Have pity on me so that I may not fall into despair. Although I am worthy of condemnation, do not withhold that which can save sinners.
I hope for much from Your bounty, O Lord, because You Yourself teach us to ask, to seek, and to knock; at Your word, I ask, I seek, I knock. O Lord, You who tell us to ask, grant that I may receive; You who tell us to seek, grant that I may find; You who teach us to knock at the door, open to the one who is knocking! I am weak; strengthen me. Bring me back, because I have wandered away, and revive me, because I am dead. According to Your good pleasure, direct and govern my senses, my thoughts, and my actions, that I may live by You and give myself entirely to You.”
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Art for this post on a prayer of St. Augustine in Aridity: Augustine of Hippo [retouched], 1480, Sandro Botticelli, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Wikimedia Commons.
