Prayer is an important way to experience God as the religious believer can communicate with Him. By bringing their problems to God, or asking for forgiveness and help, they come closer to Him. Christians believe they can speak with God in prayer and were taught to pray by Jesus himself.
St. Benedict is the founder of the Benedictines, and the author of the “Rule”. “The Rule of St. Benedict” is a text by which monks living in a community have been abiding since the Fourth Lateran Council (1215). St. Benedict lived as a hermit to focus his heart and soul solely on Christ.
Praying to St. Benedict of Nursia is still a source of abounding graces today: he is the patron saint of Europe, monks, and students, but he is also known as the patron saint of exorcisms, as well as for his powerful intercession and protection. It is always a good idea to turn to him for protection: here are a few prayers to St. Benedict for protection.
A Prayer to St. Benedict for Protection
“O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues, pure vessel of God’s grace! Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet. I implore thy loving heart to pray for me before the throne of God. To thee I have recourse in all the dangers which daily surround me. Shield me against my enemies, inspire me to imitate thee in all things. May thy blessing be with me always, so that I may shun whatever God forbids and avoid the occasions of sin.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces of which I stand so much in need, in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life. Thy heart was always so full of love, compassion, and mercy towards those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. Thou didst never dismiss without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to thee. I therefore invoke thy powerful intercession, in the confident hope that thou wilt hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I so earnestly implore (mention it), if it be for the greater glory of God and the welfare of my soul.
Help me, O great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to be ever submissive to His holy will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.”
Short Prayers to St. Benedict for Protection Against Evil
A Prayer for Personal Protection
“Dear Saint Benedict, I thank God for showering you with His grace to love Him above all else and to establish a monastic rule that has helped so many of His children live full and holy lives.
Through the cross of Jesus Christ, I ask you to please intercede that God might protect me, my loved ones, my home, property, possessions, and workplace today and always by your holy blessing, that we may never be separated from Jesus, Mary, and the company of all the blessed. Through your intercession may we be delivered from temptation, spiritual oppression, physical ills, and disease. Protect us from drug and alcohol abuse, impurity and immorality, objectionable companions, and negative attitudes. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.”
A Short Protection Prayer (Against Poisoning of the Body and Soul)
“Admirable Saint and Doctor of Humility, you practiced what you taught, assiduously praying for God’s glory and lovingly fulfilling all work for God and the benefit of all human beings. You know the many physical dangers that surround us today often caused or occasioned by human inventions. Guard us against poisoning of the body as well as of mind and soul, and thus be truly a “Blessed” one for us.
Amen.”
Patriarch of Western monks, Father of the Benedictines, St. Benedict of Nursia is a very special saint. Christians are called to pray to St. Benedict to ask for his protection against evil. He himself led a battle against evil influences, and he was proclaimed the patron saint of exorcisms. There even is a Christian Sacramental dedicated to him: the Medal of St. Benedict. The Medal is recognized by the Church as a powerful symbol of protection and liberation against curses and evil influences.
St. Benedict is depicted on the front of the Medal, holding a cross in one hand, and his Rule in the other. Discover St. Benedict’s Medal Prayer, and other prayers to St. Benedict for protection against evil.
Prayers of Deliverance and Exorcism to St. Benedict
The Litany of St. Benedict
“Lord, have mercy on us. (bis)
Christ, have mercy on us. (bis)
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. (bis)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. (bis)
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. (bis)
Holy Mary, Pray for us (repeat after each line).
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Holy Father, Saint Benedict,
Father most reverend,
Father most renowned,
Father most compassionate,
Man of great fortitude,
Man of venerable life,
Man of the most holy conversation,
True servant of God,
Light of devotion,
Light of prayer,
Light of contemplation,
Star of the world,
Best master of an austere life,
Leader of the holy warfare,
Leader and chief of monks,
Master of those who die to the world,
Protector of those who cry to thee,
Wonderful worker of miracles,
Revealer of the secrets of the human heart,
Master of spiritual discipline,
Companion of the patriarchs,
Equal of the prophets,
Follower of the Apostles,
Teacher of Martyrs,
Father of many pontiffs,
Gem of abbots,
Glory of Confessors,
Imitator of anchorites,
Associate of virgins,
Colleague of all the Saints,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Intercede for us, O holy father Saint Benedict,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray:
O God, Who called us from the vanity of the world, and Who incites us to the reward of a heavenly vocation under the guidance of our holy patriarch and founder, Saint Benedict, inspire and purify our hearts and pour forth on us Your grace, that we may persevere in You. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.”
St. Benedict’s Medal Prayer
“The Holy Cross be my light,
May the dragon never be my guide.
Get away, Satan!”
Never tempt me with your vanities!
What you offer me is evil,
Drink the poison yourself!”
Prayer to St. Benedict to Ward Off Evil Spirits
“In the name of God the Father Almighty, through the intercession of St. Benedict,
Keep away from me and my loved ones, evil spirits;
Good spirits, shield us against them!
Malign spirits, you inspire wrong thoughts to men,
Malicious spirits, liars, you lead them into deception.
Mocking spirits, you play with human’s credulity.
I reject you with all the power of my soul, and I close my ears to your suggestions.
I call upon me the Mercy of God;
Good spirits, I implore you, assist me in this battle.
Give us the strength to resist evil influences;
Shine your light on the snares of evil spirits,
Keep us from pride and arrogance;
Good spirits, do not let jealousy, hatred, malevolence, or any feeling other than love grow in our hearts, for these feelings open the doors to the Spirit of Evil.
Amen.”
