Prayer to St Anthony the Great
A prayer to St. Anthony the Great turns our attention to the early Egyptian desert father who pioneered Christian monasticism. At Find A Prayer, we write original petitions to support daily devotional life. This hermit is Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356 AD), who is completely distinct from St. Anthony of Padua, the patron of lost things.
According to tradition recorded in the "Life of Antony" by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Anthony gave away his worldly inheritance after hearing the Gospel in church. He withdrew into the arid Egyptian wilderness to seek God. His biographical account quickly spread across the Mediterranean, establishing his reputation as the Father of All Monks.
Orthodox and Catholic believers both revere his memory. Near the Red Sea in Egypt, the Monastery of St. Anthony stands near his ancient hermitage as one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world. During the Middle Ages, sufferers of ergotism sought healing at his shrines, which popularized the label St. Anthony's Fire for the illness.
Praying with his life in mind invites us to seek stillness in a noisy world. His solitary example reminds us to hold possessions lightly. These petitions provide focused words for quiet reflection, steadfastness during temptation, and deeper trust in God.
A Short Prayer to St. Anthony the Great
Lord God of the desert, You called Your servant Anthony to leave behind earthly comforts and seek Your face in solitude. Grant us the resolve to unclutter our daily routines and fix our minds on You. Through his prayers and steadfast example, guard our thoughts from pride and give us peace when trials come. Teach us to love simplicity, to pray continually, and to follow Christ with an undivided heart. Amen.
A Full Prayer to St. Anthony the Great for Withdrawing from Distraction
Heavenly Father, You guided St. Anthony the Great into the quiet sands of Egypt, where You taught him to find true wealth in simplicity and communion with You. We come before You in a world filled with constant noise, sudden haste, and endless demands that pull our affections away from Your peace. Look upon our restlessness with tender mercy. Give us the resolve that Anthony showed when he distributed his earthly goods to the poor after hearing the words of Christ. Silence our racing anxieties so that we can listen for Your instruction. Teach us the quiet wisdom of the desert fathers, so that we may cherish daily prayer, patient labor, and generous charity toward our neighbors. When the cares of this life threaten to swallow our spirits, remind us that our true home is with You. Strengthen our resolve to lay aside every habit and distraction that slows our walk of faith. May the memory of St. Anthony encourage us to seek Your kingdom first and to trust Your providence through every uncertainty. Amen.
A Prayer for Steadfastness in Spiritual Temptation
Almighty God, Your Son went into the wilderness to overcome the tempter, and You granted St. Anthony endurance against every trial in his lonely dwelling. Give us that same steady faith when our convictions are challenged. Guard our hearts against bitterness, resentment, and coldness of spirit. When our prayers feel dry and our courage falters, remind us that Christ has already overcome the world. Teach us to arm our thoughts with holy Scripture, to stay alert in prayer, and to rely on Your heavenly grace rather than our own strength. Keep our feet on the narrow road until we see You face to face. Amen.
An Orthodox Prayer to St. Anthony the Great for Holy Simplicity
O holy Father Anthony, teacher of the desert and father of monastics, you heard the holy Gospel and immediately renounced the fleeting riches of this life. We honor your holy memory and ask you to pray for our salvation before the throne of Christ our God. Intercede for us, that our souls may be freed from greed, malice, and idle speech. Help us to cultivate a contrite heart, a gentle demeanor, and an open hand toward those who suffer. Guide our footsteps through this passing world so that we may walk in the grace of the Holy Trinity all the days of our lives. Amen.
A Desert Father Prayer for Inner Stillness
Lord Jesus Christ, You drew the abbot Anthony away from crowded cities into the stillness of the desert caves so that he could watch over his own soul. Grant us the gift of interior silence today. In the midst of our workplaces, our homes, and our responsibilities, create a quiet space within our hearts where we can listen to Your truth. Deliver us from the hunger for praise and the dread of silence. Teach us how to guard our speech and keep our intentions pure. May Your Holy Spirit quiet our worries so that we can walk in Your peace from morning until evening. Amen.
A Breath Prayer for Daily Focus
Lord Jesus, Son of God, give us the steadfast faith of St. Anthony to seek You above all things. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'— Matthew 19:21 (NIV)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.— Matthew 4:1 (NIV)
Frequently asked questions
Who was St. Anthony the Great?
St. Anthony the Great was an early Christian hermit from Egypt who lived from approximately 251 to 356 AD. He earned the traditional title Father of Monasticism because his withdrawal into the desert to live in prayer and ascetic discipline established a model for Christian monks. His spiritual struggles and teachings were recorded shortly after his death by St. Athanasius of Alexandria in the biography 'Life of Antony'.
What is St. Anthony the Great the patron saint of?
St. Anthony the Great is the patron of monastics, hermits, and gravediggers, reflecting his decades of solitary prayer and ascetic labor in the Egyptian desert. In medieval Europe, he also became associated with skin afflictions, especially ergotism, which was caused by fungus-infected rye grain. Patients flocked to shrines operated by the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony in France for healing, which led people to refer to the illness as St. Anthony's Fire.
Is St. Anthony the Great the same as St. Anthony of Padua?
No, St. Anthony the Great and St. Anthony of Padua are two different saints who lived in distinct eras and geographic regions. St. Anthony the Great was an Egyptian desert hermit who lived in the third and fourth centuries and pioneered early Christian monastic life. St. Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese Franciscan friar who lived during the thirteenth century and is widely invoked for finding lost possessions.
Why is St. Anthony the Great important in Orthodox Christianity?
St. Anthony the Great is venerated in Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox churches as one of the foundational teachers of the spiritual life. His desert asceticism serves as a cornerstone of Orthodox monastic practice and personal devotion, illustrating how believers can resist sinful passions through fasting, watchful prayer, and humility. His teachings and example continue to shape Orthodox understanding of spiritual warfare and inner stillness.
What is the Monastery of St. Anthony in Egypt?
The Monastery of St. Anthony, called Der Mar Antonios in Arabic, is a Coptic Orthodox monastic settlement located in Egypt's Eastern Desert near the Red Sea. Established near the cave where Anthony lived as a hermit, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world. Monastic communities have prayed and worked on the site from the fourth century through modern times.
When is the feast day of St. Anthony the Great?
The Roman Catholic Church observes the feast of St. Anthony the Great on January 17. Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox communities also celebrate his memory in mid-to-late January, with exact calendar dates varying by church according to whether they follow the revised or traditional Julian calendar. To bring his quiet faith into your own routine, set aside a few minutes of stillness today and offer a prayer to St. Anthony the Great.