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Prayers of Augustine of Hippo
The Morning Office
Preparation and penitence
I thank you, my joy, my glory, my confidence, my God. Thank you for
your gifts; keep them alive in me. So you will keep me, and what you
have given will increase and be perfected and I myself will be with
you, since you have given me life itself.^95
The house of my soul is too small; enlarge it so you can enter in. It is
in ruins; repair it. There are things in it that must offend your eyes; I
confess this and know it. But who will cleanse it, or to whom can I cry
for help, but you? Lord, cleanse me from my secret faults, and spare
me from the sins of others. I believe, and therefore I speak.^96
The Psalm(s)
The Word of God
Lord, we do not have strength to find out your truth by reasoning and
therefore need the authority of the Scripture. I believe that you would
never have given such authority to the Bible in all lands, had you not
chosen to be believed upon and sought through it.^97