The Profound Meaning of St. Thomas Aquinas's Prayers
St. Thomas Aquinas, a towering figure in the Catholic Church, is celebrated for his intellectual contributions, most notably the Summa Theologiae, a systematic organization of Catholic beliefs. Beyond his scholarly achievements, Aquinas was a man of deep faith and prayer. His prayers, filled with wisdom and a yearning for God, offer profound insights into his spiritual life and provide guidance for those seeking to deepen their own relationship with the Divine.
Prayers Before and After Mass
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote prayers to prepare and give thanks for the Eucharist.
Prayer Before Mass
Almighty and everlasting God, behold I come to the Sacrament of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: I come as one infirm to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of everlasting brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore I implore the abundance of Thy measureless bounty that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to heal my infirmity, wash my uncleanness, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty and clothe my nakedness, that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, with such sorrow and devotion, with such purity and faith, with such purpose and intention as may be profitable to my soul’s salvation. Grant unto me, I pray, the grace of receiving not only the Sacrament of our Lord’s Body and Blood, but also the grace and power of the Sacrament. O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took from the Virgin Mary, as to merit to be incorporated into His mystical Body, and to be numbered amongst His members. O most loving Father, give me grace to behold forever Thy beloved Son with His face at last unveiled, whom I now purpose to receive under the sacramental veil here below.
Prayer After Mass
Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You. And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints.
"For Ordering a Life Wisely"
Among Aquinas's most well-known prayers is one often titled "For Ordering a Life Wisely." This prayer is a plea for divine assistance in bringing order and purpose to one's life. It reflects Aquinas's belief that God is the ultimate source of order and that seeking His guidance is essential for living a virtuous and fulfilling life.
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The Prayer
O merciful God, grant that I may desire ardently, search prudently, recognize truly, and bring to perfect completion whatever is pleasing to You for the praise and glory of Your name.
Put my life in order, O my God.
Grant that I may know what You require me to do.
Bestow upon me the power to accomplish Your will, as is necessary and fitting for the salvation of my soul.
Grant to me, O Lord my God, that I may not falter in times of prosperity or adversity, so that I may not be exalted in the former, nor dejected in the latter.
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May I not rejoice in anything unless it leads me to You; may I not be saddened by anything unless it turns me from You.
May I desire to please no one, nor fear to displease anyone, but You.
May all transitory things, O Lord, be worthless to me and may all things eternal be ever cherished by me.
May any joy without You be burdensome for me and may I not desire anything else besides You.
May all work, O Lord, delight me when done for Your sake and may all repose not centered in You be ever wearisome for me.
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Grant unto me, my God, that I may direct my heart to You and that in my failures I may ever feel remorse for my sins and never lose the resolve to change.
O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest, poor without discouragement, chaste without regret, patient without complaint, humble without posturing, cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom, and quick-witted without flippancy.
O Lord my God, let me fear You without losing hope, be truthful without guile, do good works without presumption, rebuke my neighbor without haughtiness, and - without hypocrisy - strengthen him by word and example.
Give to me, O Lord God, a watchful heart, which no capricious thought can lure away from You.
Give to me a noble heart, which no unworthy desire can debase.
Give to me a resolute heart, which no evil intention can divert.
Give to me a stalwart heart, which no tribulation can overcome.
Give to me a temperate heart, which no violent passion can enslave.
Give to me, O Lord my God, understanding of You, diligence in seeking You, wisdom in finding You, discourse ever pleasing to You, perseverance in waiting for You, and confidence in finally embracing You.
Grant that with Your hardships I may be burdened in reparation here, that Your benefits I may use in gratitude upon the way, that in Your joys I may delight by glorifying You in the Kingdom of Heaven.
You Who live and reign, God, world without end.
Analysis of the Prayer
This prayer is a comprehensive request for spiritual growth and guidance. Aquinas asks for the ability to discern and pursue God's will, to remain steadfast in both good and bad times, and to find joy only in things that lead him closer to God. He seeks detachment from worldly desires and a focus on eternal values.
The prayer also includes a series of petitions for specific virtues: submission, poverty of spirit, chastity, patience, humility, cheerfulness, maturity, and quick-wittedness. Aquinas recognizes the importance of these qualities for living a balanced and virtuous life. He asks for the grace to fear God without losing hope, to be truthful without deceit, to do good works without pride, and to correct others with humility and sincerity.
Finally, Aquinas asks for a heart that is watchful, noble, resolute, stalwart, and temperate. He desires understanding, diligence, wisdom, pleasing discourse, perseverance, and confidence in his relationship with God. The prayer concludes with a request to share in Christ's sufferings, to be grateful for God's blessings, and to find ultimate joy in glorifying Him in Heaven.
St. Thomas Aquinas on Prayer: A Theological Perspective
Aquinas's understanding of prayer is rooted in his theological framework, which emphasizes the importance of reason and divine grace. He views prayer as an act of both the intellect and the will, a rational and volitional turning towards God.
The Nature of Prayer
According to Aquinas, prayer is an act of the practical reason, ordering something to be effected by something else. Specifically, it involves beseeching or petitioning, where one proposes something to be done by a superior. It is not merely an intellectual exercise but a practical means of seeking God's intervention in our lives.
Aquinas addresses the question of whether prayer is an act of the appetitive or the cognitive power. He argues that while the will motivates the reason, prayer itself is an act of reason directed towards God. This is because prayer involves ordering, which is a function of reason.
The Appropriateness of Prayer
Aquinas defends the appropriateness of prayer, arguing against those who believe it is unnecessary or ineffective. He acknowledges the concern that prayer might seem to imply a need to inform God of our needs or to change His will. However, he clarifies that prayer is not intended to change God's disposition but to impetrate what God has already disposed to fulfill through our prayers.
Prayer as an Act of Religion
Aquinas asserts that prayer is an act of religion because it shows reverence to God. By praying, we subject ourselves to God and confess our dependence on Him as the source of all good. Prayer is a way of surrendering our minds to God and acknowledging His authority over our lives.
To Whom Should We Pray?
Aquinas explains that prayer is offered to God alone as the ultimate source of grace and glory. However, we can also pray to the saints, not to inform God of our needs, but to seek their intercession. We ask the saints to pray for us, believing that their prayers and merits can make our own prayers more effective.
Should We Ask for Definite Things?
Aquinas acknowledges the view that we should only ask God for good things, as He already knows what is best for us. However, he argues that it is appropriate to ask for specific goods, as long as we do so with the understanding that God's will is paramount. The Holy Spirit inspires us to ask for what is right, helping us to overcome our own limited understanding.
Should We Ask for Temporal Things?
Aquinas addresses the question of whether it is appropriate to ask God for temporal things. He argues that it is lawful to desire temporal things, not as ends in themselves, but as means to support our lives and enable us to perform acts of virtue. We should seek temporal things in the second place, after seeking the kingdom of God and His justice.
Should We Pray for Others?
Aquinas affirms the importance of praying for others, including our enemies. He argues that charity requires us to desire good for all people and that prayer is an effective way to express this desire.
Five Qualities of Prayer
St. Thomas Aquinas identifies five essential qualities of prayer: confidence, order, suitability, devotion, and humility.
Confidence
Prayer must be confident, rooted in faith and trust in God. This confidence stems from the understanding that God is our Advocate and that He hears our prayers.
Order
Prayer should be ordered, reflecting a proper hierarchy of values. Spiritual and heavenly things should be prioritized over bodily and earthly concerns.
Suitability
Prayer must be suitable, asking for what is truly good for us. We should seek God's guidance in discerning what is best for our salvation.
Devotion
Prayer should be devout, filled with piety and love for God and neighbor. This devotion arises from charity and is expressed through heartfelt supplication.
Humility
Prayer must be humble, acknowledging our dependence on God and recognizing that all good things come from Him. This humility is evident in our reliance on divine strength rather than our own abilities.
The Lord's Prayer: A Model of Prayer
Aquinas considers the Lord's Prayer to be the most perfect of all prayers, embodying all the essential qualities of effective communication with God.
"Our Father"
The opening words of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father," establish a relationship of intimacy and trust with God. They remind us that God is our Creator, our Governor, and our adoptive Father. As children of God, we owe Him honor, imitation, obedience, and patience.
"Who Art in Heaven"
The phrase "Who art in heaven" signifies God's transcendence and power. It reminds us that God is above all things, yet also present in the hearts of devout believers. This phrase inspires confidence in our prayers, knowing that God is both powerful and intimately involved in our lives.
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