Saint Anthony of Padua is known as the patron saint of lost items, but that’s not all he’s known for. He’s also celebrated for his teachings and the miracles he performed.
Many people offer prayers for St. Anthony’s intercession for all sorts of needs, as well as for spiritual growth. Here are a few prayers for grace, joy, salvation, and protection.
Prayers for Grace and Spiritual Growth
Divine grace is considered a gift that strengthens the believer and brings them closer to God. Here is a prayer for grace, asking for help building a moral and spiritual life:
Lord Jesus Christ, let me seek first your Kingdom. Empower me through the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruits of joy, hope, and love. Your name is joy; it is the true gate of our salvation. Let me remember you always, finding delight and salvation in your love. Amen.
This prayer seeks to connect with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of joy in faith and asking for continued guidance and strength.
Prayers for protection and overcoming evil
Here are a few short prayers you can use to invoke the power of God and ask for protection from evil.
Invoking the power of the Cross
The Cross has long been recognized as a symbol of victory over evil. You may wish to recite this short prayer:
“Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone, you evil powers! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.”
Proclaiming the word of joy
Another prayer you might say to St. Anthony is this:
“Ask, that your joy may be full. Proclaim it to all.”
Prayers for Salvation and Eternal Life
St. Anthony is often invoked in prayers for earthly needs, but his intercession can also be sought for matters of the spirit, like salvation and eternal life.
Seeking the Spirit of Salvation
One aspect of these prayers emphasizes the importance of “conceiving the spirit of salvation,” asking for help in bringing forth “an heir to eternal life.” These prayers often acknowledge the fleeting nature of earthly existence, imploring St. Anthony to assist us “in the seven brief days of this life.”
The Path to Eternal Life
Some prayers highlight the role of a “sorrowful heart” in the journey toward salvation, seeking St. Anthony’s assistance in birthing, through contrition, an heir to eternal life.
In Summary
The prayers to St. Anthony ask for guidance, grace, salvation, and protection. They also focus on the importance of personal faith and spiritual growth, especially cultivating virtues like joy, hope, and love.
If you’re seeking a closer relationship with God, consider adding these prayers to your daily spiritual practice.