St Benedict prayer for protection against evil

Saint Benedict, father of monks and teacher of the West, you left the noise of Rome to seek God in a cave, and from that silence came a Rule that has shaped Christian life for fifteen centuries. Teach me what you learned there: to prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

Your medal carries the words of your battle with the enemy: Begone, Satan; never tempt me with your vanities. The things you offer are evil; drink your own poison. With you I turn away from every temptation that comes dressed as pleasure or power, and I ask your protection against the snares of the devil, for myself, my home, and everyone I love.

You survived poisoned bread and a poisoned cup by the Sign of the Cross. Guard me against the poisons of my own time: bitterness, addiction, cynicism, despair, and every influence that would slowly kill my faith. Let the Cross be my shield.

You taught your monks to balance prayer and work, ora et labora. Order my days as well. Give me the discipline to pray at set times, the humility to work faithfully at ordinary tasks, and the wisdom to see both as service to God. Help me to listen, as your Rule begins, with the ear of the heart.

You died standing in the chapel, held up by your brothers, with your hands raised in prayer after receiving the Body of the Lord. Pray that my death too may be a prayer, with Christ in my heart and the Cross in my hand.

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Benedict, protect us from all evil and bring us at last to the life that never ends. Amen.