Prayer 2, of St. John Chrysostom

O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy, nor sufficient, that Thou shouldest enter under the roof of the house of my soul; for it is all deserted and fallen, and Thou dost not have in me a fit place to lay Thy head. But as from the heights Thou didst humble Thyself for our sake, so now accommodate Thyself to my humility. And as Thou didst deign to lie in a manger in a cave, so now deign to enter into the manger of my mute soul and defiled body. And as Thou didst not disdain to enter and dine with sinners in the house of Simon the leper, so also deign to enter the house of my humble soul, the house of the leprous and sinful. And as Thou didst not send away the repentant harlot, a sinner like me, who came and touched Thee, so have mercy also on me, a sinner, as I approach and touch Thee. Let the live coal of Thy most holy Body and precious Blood become to me for sanctification and illumination and strengthening of my humble soul and body, for relief from the burden of my many sins, for deliverance from every devil, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for the increase of Thy divine grace, and for the attainment of Thy Kingdom. Amen.