Prayers by Paramahansa Yogananda
Thy Presence is Hidden
Infinite Spirit, Thy Presence is hidden equally behind the warm rays of the sun and the cool moonbeams. These lights, which reveal only Dame Nature’s gorgeous robe of matter, and not Thee, are but darkness to me. Thus, Thy all-revealing great Light hides behind the darkness of matter-revealing lights. Take this darkness away. When I sit with eyes closed, surrounded by my own darkness, cause to blaze upon me in splendor the Aurora of Intuition, that in its light I may watch Thee with worshipping eyes.
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #75
Teach Me to Conquer Myself
Teach me, Thou, to conquer myself by myself. Bless me, that my discrimination may be the charioteer of the steeds of my five senses, holding properly, the reins of my mind. Let my soul, in the little chariot of the body, on the wheels of discipline, drive triumphantly over the speedway of many earth-lives, until on the last lap of the last race it shall find itself safe in the limitless Royal Chariot of the King of Kings!
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #75
Make Us Little Children
Make us little children, O Father
Even as Thy Kingdom contains such.
Thy love in us is perfection.
Even as Thou art whole, so are we whole.
In body and mind we are healthy,
Even as Thou art, even as Thou art.
Thou art perfect.
We are Thy children.
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #64
Teach Me to Dive Deep
Father Divine, teach me to dive deep in the ocean of meditation for the pearls of wisdom. Teach me to plunge headlong, armored with the diving suit of conscience, that the sharks of passions may not destroy me. If I find not the wisdom-pearls by one or two divings, teach me not to call the sea of meditation devoid of the pearls of Thy wisdom. Rather teach me to find fault with my diving. Teach me to dive again and again in meditation, deeper and deeper always, until I find Thy immortal pearls of wisdom and divine joy.
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #53
Though Art Slowly rising on the Horizon of my Mind
O Father, I pray that my storm-tossed Soul may find the silver lining of Thy Presence behind the clouds of my indifference, and the moon of Thy hope may gleam in my heart. Thou art slowly rising on the horizon of my mind; mists of ignorance are clearing with the coming of the moonbeams of Thy Love. O Father of Light, my shipwrecked Soul rejoicingly beholds Thy Shores of Bliss.
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #68
Come Home
Thy gentle Voice saying: ‘Come Home,’ I often heard; but it was drowned in the noises of the wild cravings of many lives. I forsook the jostling crowds of desires. In the solitude of my mind, my devotion is bursting to hear Thy Voice. Take away the dreams of earthly sounds, which yet lurk in my mind. I want to hear Thy quiet Voice, ever singing in the silence of my Soul.
Praecepta Lessons, Volume 3 (1938): Praeceptum #56
