St. Patrick

O almighty God,
in your providence
you choose your servant Patrick
to be the apostle of the Irish people,
that he might bring those
who wandered in darkness and error
to the true light and knowledge of you.
Grant that we may walk in that light,
and come at last to the light of everlasting light;
through the merits of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Source: Irish Prayer Book

Original in traditional English:

O Almighty God, who in thy providence didst choose thy servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, that he might bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of thee: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting light; through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.

For Pardon, Purity and Grace

O Holy God,
in you is all goodness,
your pity and mercy made you to descend from the high throne
down into this world,
the valley of woe and weeping,
and here you took our nature,
and in that nature, you suffered pain and death
to bring our souls to your Kingdom.
Merciful Lord,
forgive us all our sins that we have done, thought, and said.
O glorious Trinity,
cleanse our hearts and purify our souls.
Restore us with your Holy Spirit,
and strengthen us with your might,
that we may always withstand evil temptations.
Comfort us with your Holy Spirit,
and fulfill us with grace and charity,
that we may live virtuously and love you with all our heart,
with all our might, and with all our soul,
so that we may never offend you,
but ever follow your pleasure in will, word, thought, and deed.
Now grant us this, good, infinite Lord,
you endure forever;
through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

Source: Richard Rolle, d. 1349
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Steadfastness

In all that you require me to do,
grant me the knowledge,
the desire and the ability,
that I may so fulfill it as I ought,
and may make my path to you.
I pray,
keep me safe, straightforward, and perfect to the end.

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy affection may drag downwards;
give me an unconquered heart,
which no tribulation can wear out;
give me an upright heart,
which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow on me also, O Lord my God,
understanding to know you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you. Amen.

Source: Thomas Aquinas, d. 1274
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

Daily Prayer

Grant me,
O merciful God,
to study prudently,
to understand rightly,
and to fulfill whatever is pleasing to you perfectly,
to the praise and glory of your name.

You are the King of glory, O Christ.
You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

Source: Thomas Aquinas, d. 1274
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Your Love

O Lord,
I pray that the fiery and sweet strength of your love
may draw my soul to you from all things that are under heaven,
that I may die for love of your love
as you did die for the love of my love. Amen.

Source: Francis of Assisi, 13th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For the Brothers

Lord Jesus,
you did choose your apostles to the number of twelve,
and if one of them did betray you,
the others, remaining united to you,
preached your holy Gospel,
filled with one and the same inspiration.
O Lord, look on your church now,
and remember the former days,
when you called your people into one family to uphold faith,
that by them the mystery of your Gospel may be accomplished.
Who will take their place if they give themselves up to the works of darkness
instead of fulfilling their mission and being shining examples for all? Amen.

Source: Francis of Assisi, 13th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.