Saint Paul of The Cross Passion Prayers

“It is an excellent and holy practice to call to mind and meditate on our Lord’s Passion since it is by this path that we shall arrive at union with God. In this, the holiest of all schools, true wisdom is learned, for it was there that all the saints became wise.” Paul advised any who would listen to engage in a regular process of contemplative prayer with Jesus’ passion and death as their focus. In the passion, Paul saw a condensation of God’s love into one body undergoing great suffering because of furious and unrelenting love. Jesus’ crucifixion and death are the holy ground where we are confronted by the scandal of God’s love for sinners and outcasts. Paul would spend his whole life begging people to take a few moments and consider the ridiculous and amazing idea of the crucifixion and death of God Almighty–the King of the Universe.
(SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS)
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Prayer to Jesus for Mercy
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Lord Jesus Christ, eternal and merciful God, Creator and Redeemer of all, listen to my prayer. 
For the love Thou doth bear to those who ask forgiveness, look on me with mercy, as once Thou didst look on Mary Magdalen, and on Peter who denied Thee. 
Look on me, Lord Jesus Christ, as Thou didst looked at the thief on his cross and on every sinner whom Thou hast ever forgiven. 
Look on me, merciful Lord, as Thou didst look on Thy Mother, Mary, standing in sorrow beneath Thy Cross. 
Let me feel in my heart her compassion for Thee, and let my eyes weep for Thy sorrows, caused by my sinful life. 
Call me back from the darkness to my Father’s house, give me a new heart and a place at Thy side in the banquet Thou hast prepared for me. Amen. 
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Prayer To Jesus Crucified 
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Lord Jesus Christ, 
I thank Thee for loving me so completely. 
Thou didst embrace the Cross so willingly, 
Thou didst hang there so patiently, 
Thou didst suffere so painfully, 
and for me, a sinner, 
Thou didst die and rise again on the third day. 
Now, Lord, I commend myself to Thy love, 
to the power of Thy Passion, 
to the depths of Thy endless mercy. 
Jesus Christ, 
in Thy measureless pity, 
keep alive in me the memory 
of Thy Holy Wounds and bitter death. 
Gentle Jesus, 
defend me in all danger, 
and keep me so that 
I may stand before Thee in joy.
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Protect my soul, Lord Jesus Christ, 
which Thou hast bought with Thy Precious Blood. Amen. 
O Cross of Christ, Immortal Tree 
O Cross of Christ, immortal tree On which our Savior died, 
The world is sheltered by your arms That bore the Crucified. 
From bitter death and barren wood the tree of life is made; 
Its branches bear unfailing fruit And leaves that never fade. 
Give glory to the risen Christ And to his Cross give praise, 
The sign of God’s unfailing love, The hope of all our days. 
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Prayer Before The Cross 
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Jesus, by this saving sign, 
bless this listless soul of mine. 
Jesus, by Thy feet nailed fast, 
mend the missteps of my past. 
Jesus, with Thy riven hands, 
bend my will to love’s demands. 
Jesus, in Thy Heart, laid bare, 
warm my inner coldness there. 
Jesus, by Thy thorn-crowned head, 
still my pride till it is dead. 
Jesus, by Thy muted tongue, 
stay my words that hurt someone. 
Jesus, by Thy tired eyes, 
open mine to faith’s surprise.
Jesus, by Thy fading breath, 
keep me faithful until death. 
Yes, Lord, by this saving sign, 
save this wayward Son. 
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Say sweetly to your Saviour: O good Jesus, how swollen, bruised, and defiled with spittle do I behold Thy countenance! O, my Love! why do I see Thee all covered with wounds?” – St. Paul of the Cross,