Prayer by a saint who had all 7 gifts

Before posting the Bible citations regarding the gift of the Holy Spirit Understanding, and before moving on to discuss the gift of the Holy Spirit that rests on all the previous gifts, Wisdom, here is a prayer that is written by a holy man who not only had great fullness of all seven gifts, but also demonstrates the gifts in this prayer that he wrote. This is by the great St. Augustine, who was born and lived in Africa 354-430. It is quite an understanding of the reality of the temptations and realities of human nature. Only a man so thoroughly receptive of the gifts of Fear of the Lord, Piety, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Understanding and Wisdom could comprehend humans and God so well, and write this.


Prayer of St. Augustine


Before Thine eyes, O Lord, we bring our sins, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.

If we examine the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great.

What we have committed is very grievous, what we have suffered is very slight.

We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.

Under Thy lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.

Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.

Our life groans under sorrow, yet amends not in deed.

If Thou spare us, we correct not our ways: if Thou punish, we cannot endure it.

In time of correction we confess our wrongdoing: after Thy visitation we forget that we have wept.

If Thou stretchest forth Thy hand, we promise amendment; if Thou withholdest the sword, we keep not our promise.

If Thou strikest, we cry out for mercy: if Thou sparest, we again provoke Thee to strike.

Here we are before Thee, O Lord, confessedly guilty; we know that unless Thou pardon we shall deservedly perish.

Grant then, O almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask; Thou who madest out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither reward us according to our iniquities.

Let us pray.-O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.