St. Ambrose of Milan attributed this prayer to the Apostle Matthew, upon the occasion of the Apostle's conversion.
"As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Gospel of St. Matthew 9:9f
Saint Ambrose Bishop of Milan - Saint Matthew the Apostle
Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee! Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an end of my many sins, and my hidden and secret afflictions. Open the wound lest the evil humor spread. With Thy new washing, cleanse in me all that is stained. Hear me, you earthly men, who in your sins bring forth drunken thoughts:
I have found a Physician.
He dwells in Heaven and distributes His healing on earth. He alone can heal my pains Who Himself has none.
He alone Who knows what is hidden, can take away the grief of my heart, the fear of my soul—Jesus Christ. Christ is grace, Christ is life, Christ is Resurrection! Amen.
+ Glory to God for All Things +
