A PRAYER OF ST. ISAAC THE SYRIAN
Lord Jesus Christ, my God: Thou didst weep for Lazarus and shed tears of sorrow
and compassion for him. Accept my bitter tears also.
Heal my passions through the suffering of Thine holy Passion. Heal the wounds
of my soul through the wounds which Thou didst suffer. Cleanse my blood with Thine
holy blood and unite my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving body. May the gall
which Thou wast given to drink by Thine enemies sweeten my soul from the bitterness
that the devil has given me to taste. May Thy most-holy body that was stretched upon
the Cross elevate my mind, which has been lowered unto the earth by the demons.
May Thy most-holy head, which Thou didst bow upon the Cross raise my head, which
has been humiliated by the opposing demonic powers. May Thy most-holy hands
which were nailed to the Cross by the transgressors raise me to Thee from the depth of
destruction, just as Thy most-holy mouth hast promised. May Thy face which received
blows and spitting by the impious Jews illumine my face which has been defiled by sin.
May Thy soul, which was upon the Cross and which Thou didst hand to the Father,
lead me to Thee through Thy Grace.
A contrite heart that is required to seek Thee have I not. I have no repentance.
Neither have I compunction nor the tears that return children to their own homeland.
O Master, I have no tears with which to beseech Thee. My heart has become cold from
the multitude of temptations, incapable of being warmed with the tears of Thy love.
But Thou, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, the treasure of all good things: Grant
Thou me perfect repentance and a fervent heart that I may wholeheartedly come forth
to seek Thee. Without Thee, I will become estranged from all good things. Therefore,
grant Thou me Thy Grace, O Good One. May the Father Who didst beget Thee from
His bosom recreate in me the image of Thine icon. I have abandoned Thee; do not
forsake me. I have separated myself from Thee; come forth to find me. And when Thou
findest me, lead me into Thy pastures, and number me amongst the sheep of Thy select
flock, and nurture me with Thy divine mysteries, which dwell within a pure heart,
wherein the brilliance of Thy revelations are made manifest. This brilliance serves as
consolation and refreshment for them who toil in sorrows and various dishonors on
account of Thee. May we all be worthy of receiving this illumination, through Thy grace
and compassion, O Jesus Christ our Savior, unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, my God: Thou didst weep for Lazarus and shed tears of sorrow
and compassion for him. Accept my bitter tears also.
Heal my passions through the suffering of Thine holy Passion. Heal the wounds
of my soul through the wounds which Thou didst suffer. Cleanse my blood with Thine
holy blood and unite my body with the fragrance of Thy life-giving body. May the gall
which Thou wast given to drink by Thine enemies sweeten my soul from the bitterness
that the devil has given me to taste. May Thy most-holy body that was stretched upon
the Cross elevate my mind, which has been lowered unto the earth by the demons.
May Thy most-holy head, which Thou didst bow upon the Cross raise my head, which
has been humiliated by the opposing demonic powers. May Thy most-holy hands
which were nailed to the Cross by the transgressors raise me to Thee from the depth of
destruction, just as Thy most-holy mouth hast promised. May Thy face which received
blows and spitting by the impious Jews illumine my face which has been defiled by sin.
May Thy soul, which was upon the Cross and which Thou didst hand to the Father,
lead me to Thee through Thy Grace.
A contrite heart that is required to seek Thee have I not. I have no repentance.
Neither have I compunction nor the tears that return children to their own homeland.
O Master, I have no tears with which to beseech Thee. My heart has become cold from
the multitude of temptations, incapable of being warmed with the tears of Thy love.
But Thou, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, the treasure of all good things: Grant
Thou me perfect repentance and a fervent heart that I may wholeheartedly come forth
to seek Thee. Without Thee, I will become estranged from all good things. Therefore,
grant Thou me Thy Grace, O Good One. May the Father Who didst beget Thee from
His bosom recreate in me the image of Thine icon. I have abandoned Thee; do not
forsake me. I have separated myself from Thee; come forth to find me. And when Thou
findest me, lead me into Thy pastures, and number me amongst the sheep of Thy select
flock, and nurture me with Thy divine mysteries, which dwell within a pure heart,
wherein the brilliance of Thy revelations are made manifest. This brilliance serves as
consolation and refreshment for them who toil in sorrows and various dishonors on
account of Thee. May we all be worthy of receiving this illumination, through Thy grace
and compassion, O Jesus Christ our Savior, unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
