prayer of St. Ambrose

Yesterday was the feast of St. Ambrose. He wrote this prayer:

God, creator of all things

and ruler of the heavens, fitting

the day with beauteous light

and the night with the grace of sleep:

May rest restore our slackened limbs

to the exercise of toil,

lighten our wearied minds,

and relieve our anxious preoccupations.

Now that the day is over and night has begun,

we, your devotees, sing our hymn,

offering thanks and begging

that you would help us in our sinfulness.

May the depths of our hearts magnify you,

may our harmonious voices sound you,

may our chaste affections love you,

may our sober minds adore you.

Thus, when the deep gloom of night

closes in upon the day,

our faith may not know darkness

and the night may shine with faith.

Do not permit our minds to slumber;

it is sinfulness that knows slumber.

May faith, which refreshes the chaste, 

temper sleep's embrace.

When the depths of our hearts have been stripped of unclean thoughts,

let them dream of you,

nor let worry, the stratagem of the envious foe,

disturb us as we rest.

We beseech Christ and the Father,

and the Spirit of Christ and the Father,

who are one and omnipotent.

O Trinity, assist us who pray to you!