Three Famous Prayers Of Power

Prayer is the method we can use to petition our Source or Creator for our own highest good.  It is a way for us to communicate what we truly want within our situation, and align ourselves with the highest potential in any given situation.

There are many ways to pray, and one great way to begin a practice of prayer is to use prayers that have already been written down.

The following are three “power prayers” that I use in my own life.  I know that anyone who adopts these three prayers as a method for communicating their innate desires to the Divine will find what they seek. It is my prayer that each person reading this article will find the strategies that work best for his or her own journey on this planet.

I believe in prayer. It’s the best way we have to draw strength from heaven ~ Josephine Baker

The Serenity Prayer

This prayer is widely used in recovery programs, and is a wonderful prayer of surrendering to the process of life and empowering effectual changes. It is accredited to the theologian Fredrich Oetinger in the 18th century. If you are not familiar with this prayer I recommend daily use of it daily for at least two weeks.  This allows the words of the prayer to “get in” and it can then become a “go to” prayer whenever you need it.

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

This is the widely known first part of the prayer, and is the portion popularized by the recovery culture.  The remainder of the prayer is:

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking as He (Christ) did this sinful world (a world lacking the expression of love) as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that He (Christ) will make all things right
If I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.

When we pray, our hearts glow a glorious joy that lights our souls and all the world around us ~ Terri Guillemets

The Prayer of St. Francis

The next prayer is another one of my favorites. It is known as the prayer of St. Francis, a monk who is known as the patron saint of animals due to his connection to nature. He was the founder of the Franciscan order in 1181, an order that still has a profound impact on society today. The prayer goes like this:

Lord make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Oh Divine Master 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 we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

The Deer’s Cry / Patrick’s Breastplate

The final prayer is not nearly as well known, but is extremely powerful. It was written by a 5th century missionary known as St. Patrick, and yes, this Saint is the reason for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day due to his missionary work in Ireland. As legend has it he used shamrocks to demonstrate the nature of the Trinity related to Christianity at the time, which is why shamrocks play such a huge role in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

I recommend using this prayer upon awakening.  The prayer that I am submitting here is an amended version of the prayer, but I submit it as such because it is my favorite rendition. I recommend using visualization during this prayer, because it will help align you with the truest message.  This version was popularized by the artist Lisa Kelly through song, and is attributed to Shaun Davey.

I arise today, through the strength of heaven.
Light of sun
Radiance of moon
Splendor of fire
Speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind
Depths of the sea
Stability of earth
Firmness of rock

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me.
God’s eye to look before me
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s way to lie before me
God’s shield to protect me

From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body, and soul

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
I arise today.

There are many pre-written power prayers. These are just a few of my favorites. I would recommend finding prayers that resonate with you, and make them a part of your spiritual vocabulary.