What’s the first thing we do when we get lost? As a child, our first instinct may be to cry and shout for our mother. However, when we’re older, perhaps the worst possible scenario comes into mind whenever we lose our sense of direction. Sometimes, being ‘lost’ isn’t just about navigation problems but can also have something to do with our life in general.
It’s normal to feel a little lost and unsure about what to pursue in life and which paths to choose. What matters most is that we not only rely on our capabilities but also put our trust in the Lord. Ask Him for guidance and clarity through this prayer for spiritual direction.
Prayer for the lost
Omniscient and All-Seeing God,
I approach You with a calm and faithful heart despite the unease I feel at this very moment. For far too long, I have lived a life of unrighteous self-confidence and arrogance, thinking I alone am strong enough to face life’s trials. Now that I am lost and confused, I am again reminded of my own meekness. My pride suddenly disappeared when I realised I was truly lost.
Forgive me for my arrogance and my disobedience. I know that I often feel too proud of myself, just as Lucifer once had before he was cast out of Heaven. I realize my mistakes, Lord, and I lay them bare before You. I will no longer let unrighteousness and sin cloud my judgment; I will turn my back on the devil’s temptations. Grant me pardon and cleanse my soul.
Despite the uncertainty I face and the lack of direction, it brings me peace to know that You are always with me, even when I have disappointed You countless times. You never ceased to watch over me and shield me from harm’s way. Thank You for redirecting me away from things that would have eventually brought me more harm than good. I may not always understand Your plans for me and the paths You tell me to take, but I know that I will get what is meant for me, and everything is according to Your purpose. Thank You for the unexpected detours in life that brought me to beautiful destinations.
Lord God, I ask for Your guidance now that I’m feeling lost. Give me direction and make my paths clear. Clear any confusions I have and help steer my life towards what is good, right, and noble in Your eyes. Divert me from the world’s evil ways; strengthen my resolve to follow the path of righteousness. Lord God, I entrust everything to You.
Amen.
Short prayer for the lost and confused
God, my Heavenly Shepherd and Guide, I come to You as a lost soul seeking divine guidance. Help me choose which direction to turn, what decisions to make, and which path to take. I pray that You will grant me wisdom and guide me through every step of life. When times are tough, take away my anxiety and assure me that all will be well. Be with me through all my confusion and troubles. Amen.
The Word of God
My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains; from mountain to hill they have gone, they have forgotten their fold.
Jeremiah 50:6 NRSVUE
I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strays, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
Ezekiel 34:16 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Augustine of Hippo
Blessed Saint Augustine,
Throughout your eventful life, you wandered restlessly in search of the truth. Lost and confused, you drifted from city to city, community to community, seeking the one thing that would finally give peace to your heart and mind. In your youth, you drifted far away from God, but after many years and many motherly prayers, you found your way back to His arms.
You’ve done your fair share of disobedient acts, and I’ve done mine. You taught the world that it is never too late to ask Him for forgiveness and to change for the better. His grace saved me from my sinful past, and it will still be through His grace that I will find my way through the maze of trials, challenges, and temptations until I finally reach heaven. Carry my pleas for mercy to the Lord; beg Him to soften His gaze and scold me gently. May He correct my wrongful ways and teach me to be a better Christian.
Right now, I am no more than a lost soul seeking guidance and direction. I don’t know what lies ahead nor what my heart desires. So please help me get where I need to be and where the Lord wants me to be. Give me purpose and motivation, and spark courage in my heart so that I can go the distance for myself and my loved ones and God.
With this prayer for lost people, I beg for the safety and deliverance of missing persons. Give them courage and help them find their way back to their families. In this sad and unsettling time, grant comfort and assurance unto their loved ones; may their search efforts be fueled by the hope of reuniting with each other soon.
I pray for those who need not physical direction but a spiritual one. Clear away any confusion they may have and make the Almighty God’s plans known to them. Help them figure out what they genuinely want, their goals, hopes, and dreams. Then, as they work to fulfill these goals, may you guide them every step of the way.
Saint Augustine, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
Saint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher. Despite having a Catholic mother, he grew to be an errant young lad, always indulging in worldly pleasures and defying the Christian values his mother once taught him. He traveled from city to city, continuously seeking to enhance his wisdom. Yet despite all that, he grew restless, for something in his heart told him that there was a more remarkable thing to be known, to be learned, to be discovered. So he drifted from religion to religion, community to community, seeking this very thing that kept tugging at his soul. Eventually, he found his way back to God. He once was lost, and then he was found, and it is through Him he discovered true happiness. In his book Confessions, he penned a heartfelt message to the Lord: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Many of us find ourselves in the same position as Saint Augustine—Lost and aimlessly wandering, tasting everything without knowing what we truly need and want. However, fear not because the Lord is watching, and He hears our thoughts and fears. Let Him find and guide us through this prayer when feeling lost, and we will soon find our way through the darkness.
