Traditional Catholic prayer
Petitions of St. Augustine
A prayer traditionally attributed to St. Augustine, asking Jesus for humility, trust, and freedom from selfish attachment.
Source: With God: A Book of Prayers and Reflections (1911), Rev. F. X. Lasance, pages 531-532.
Lord Jesus, let me know myself, let me know Thee, And desire nothing else but Thee. Let me hate myself and love Thee, And do all things for the sake of Thee. Let me humble myself and exalt Thee, And think of nothing else but Thee. Let me die to myself and live in Thee, And take whatever happens as coming from Thee. Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee, And ever desire to follow Thee. Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee, That so I may merit to be defended by Thee. Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee, And be amongst those who are chosen by Thee. Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee, And ever obey for the love of Thee. Let me cleave to nothing but only to Thee, And ever be poor for the sake of Thee. Look upon me, that I may love Thee. Call me, that I may see Thee And forever possess Thee. Amen.
About this prayer
Prayer source
With God: A Book of Prayers and Reflections (1911), Rev. F. X. Lasance, pages 531-532.
View the printed prayer page.About our prayer sources- What it is
- Lasance titles these petitions “Petitions of St. Augustine.” They ask Jesus for humility, trust, and freedom from selfish attachment. The title is a traditional attribution, rather than proof that this was Augustine’s personal favorite prayer.
- Prayer intention
- Self-knowledge, humility, and love of Jesus.
- When to pray
- During quiet reflection or an examination of attachment and pride. “Hate myself” concerns rejecting selfishness and sin.
- Connection with a saint
St. Augustine of Hippo: Traditional attribution. With God (1911), pages 531-532, prints this text under “Petitions of St. Augustine.” Read the source.
- Languages
- English
- English prayer source
- With God: A Book of Prayers and Reflections (1911), Rev. F. X. Lasance, pages 531-532. View the historical source. View the printed prayer page. Novena Regina provides the explanations above. The prayer text follows the source named here.
Traditional Catholic prayer
Petitions of St. Augustine
Source: With God: A Book of Prayers and Reflections (1911), Rev. F. X. Lasance, pages 531-532.
Lord Jesus, let me know myself, let me know Thee, And desire nothing else but Thee. Let me hate myself and love Thee, And do all things for the sake of Thee. Let me humble myself and exalt Thee, And think of nothing else but Thee. Let me die to myself and live in Thee, And take whatever happens as coming from Thee. Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee, And ever desire to follow Thee. Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee, That so I may merit to be defended by Thee. Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee, And be amongst those who are chosen by Thee. Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee, And ever obey for the love of Thee. Let me cleave to nothing but only to Thee, And ever be poor for the sake of Thee. Look upon me, that I may love Thee. Call me, that I may see Thee And forever possess Thee. Amen.