[costamarianavia]

I would have liked to have seen some excerpts from Pali Canon suttas showing something similar, if anyone had any direct references.

Assu Sutta (SN 15.3):

"At Savatthi. There the Blessed One said: "From an inconstruable beginning comes transmigration. A beginning point is not evident, though beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving are transmigrating & wandering on..."

It doesn't have the prayer aspect, notably.