Holy Spirit, you,
light of our understanding,
gentle breath that guides our decisions,
grant me the grace to listen attentively to your voice
and to discern the hidden paths of my heart,
so that I may grasp what truly matters to you,
and free my heart from its troubles.
I ask you for the grace to learn how to pause,
to become aware of the way I act,
of the feelings that dwell within me,
and of the thoughts that overwhelm me which,
so often, I fail to notice.
I long for my choices
to lead me to the joy of the Gospel.
Even if I must go through moments of doubt and fatigue,
even if I must struggle, reflect, search, and begin again…
Because, at the end of the journey,
your consolation is the fruit of the right decision.
Grant me a deeper understanding of what moves me,
so that I may reject what draws me away from Christ,
and love him and serve him more fully.
Amen.

The Pope’s original prayer echoes the famous prayer of St. Augustine in the Confessions:

“Oh God, let me know myself that I might know You!”

“In order to discern, it is necessary to place oneself in truth before God, to enter into
oneself, to admit one’s own weaknesses, and to ask the Lord for healing,” explains the press release.

“These are the steps to rebirth through an authentic relationship with God.”

This process is known as discernment and helps Christians discover the path toward God – lived in the actions of every day – that already lies deep within our hearts.
Formation in discernment, “includes prayer, personal reflection, the study of Scripture and spiritual direction. Cultivating a deep relationship with Jesus is the most important aspect.”

From The Vatican Press Office