Prayer

Penitential Prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan

St. Ambrose of Milan · c. 340

“Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh — a heart to love and adore Thee.”

Read slowly

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,
take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me
the fire of thy Holy Spirit.

Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore Thee,
a heart to delight in Thee,
to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen.

About this prayer

Ambrose asks God for a softened heart — the kind that can repent, love, and adore. A fitting prayer when prayer itself feels dry or forced.

When to pray: Lent; before Confession; when your heart feels hard or numb.
After you read: Ask for a heart of flesh, not better feelings. Mercy begins with honesty.
Listed under: Contrition & mercy
Contrition & mercy. A penitential prayer by a Doctor of the Church naturally expresses sorrow for sins and asks for mercy, consistent with Catholic teaching on repentance.
Liturgical season: Lent

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