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Grant Us Peace in Our Time

Almighty and eternal God,
you govern all things in heaven and earth.
Mercifully hear the prayers of your people
and grant us your peace in our time;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Gregorian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Let Us Clearly See What You Want Us to Do

O Lord,
mercifully receive the prayers
of your people who call on you.
Let them clearly see what you want them to do,
and give them the strength to do it;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gregorian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Direct Our Actions

Almighty and eternal God,
direct our actions with what pleases you,
that in the name of your beloved Son
we may abound in good works;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gregorian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Sunday after Christmas

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Also found in the Sarum Psalter.

Prayer for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Light of the blind,
the Way for those who stray,
and the resurrection of the dead.
Enlighten the darkness of our hearts and minds,
bring sinners to repentance,
so that we may live in you and for you;
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
we worship and glorify you,
ever one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 36 # 2 (Trinity 19)

“Light of the blind” is a reference to Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, Luke 7:22, John 9:39, Romans 2:19,

“way for those who stray” is a reference to Psalm 23:3, John 14:6, Hebrews 12:13

“resurrection” is a reference to John 11:25

“enlighten…” is a reference to John 1

“bring sinners to repentance” is a reference to Psalm 51:13, Luke 5:32

“live in you and for you” is a reference to Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:21

Rites for the Lighting of an Advent Wreath

This set of rites for the lighting of an Advent wreath follows the thematic pattern used by many lectionaries for the Advent season: Readiness, Repentance, Rejoicing, and Christ Revealed in the Flesh. The third set of versicles in each rite emphasizes that it is Christ himself who makes his people ready by his Word and work. The rites are intended to be used after a general welcome and before the opening hymn. The rites may be used at other times in a worship service. The rubric “N Advent candle(s) is/are lit during the OPENING HYMN” may be adapted as needed. Please contact for any commercial usage.

CW.Advent 1

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Readiness”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

Our Savior Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
All will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

Christ himself has given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to make God’s people ready for works of service. (Ephesians 4:11)
He will strengthen our hands to do his work and open our lips to declare his praise. (Psalm 51:15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you strengthen us that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With Word and Sacrament, make ready our hearts. Make us ready to receive your Word and live by it daily. Make us ready to live our faith through love and service. And finally, make us ready to meet you face to face on the day your Son comes to judge the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

One Advent candle is lit during the opening hymn.
__________

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Repentance”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

John the Baptist called out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:2,3)

Christ himself has given us the power for repentance. By his holy life and innocent death he has conquered Satan and sin and is able to help us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
He reigns in our lives with his grace and bring us to eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your holy Word has called us to repent of sin and walk in your path of righteousness. For the sake of Jesus Christ, you have not quickly judged the world for sin, but have given all a time of grace, and a call to turn from evil ways. By the power of your Spirit, turn our hearts to you. Make us grow in our obedience to your Word. In Jesus, you have revealed to us your holy love. Move us to love one another as he has loved us, and to serve one another as if we were serving you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Two Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Rejoicing”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. (Isaiah 9:3)

Christ himself has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, shattering the yoke of sin that burdened us. (Isaiah 53:4)
He restores to us the joy of salvation and grant us willing spirits. By his stripes our weary souls are healed. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 53:5)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you give strength to the weary and pronounce blessings on those who mourn. You have sent us a Savior. You have made us your people. Fill our hearts with joy that flows from the forgiveness of our sins, joy powered by the resurrection of our living Savior, that we may shine like the stars of the heavens, bringing glory to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Three Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Christ Revealed in the Flesh”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Christ himself has come down from heaven, has become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and has become truly human.
He shared in our humanity. By his death destroyed the devil and the power of death, and freed us from fear and slavery forever. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son, our Savior, Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us. In him you have revealed yourself, your love, and your plan for all humanity. By his Word, make us ready for his coming. Keep our hearts repentant, constantly turning to your path of righteousness. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with your free Spirit; through him who came to give himself to us and to make us his own, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Four Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.

Redirect Those Who are in Error

Almighty God,
you redirect those who are in error
by the light of your truth
so they may return to the way of righteousness.
Grant that all who are brought
into the fellowship of Christ’s kingdom
may avoid those things that are hurtful to their faith
and follow all things that strengthen them in it;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, 6th-7th Centuries, Historic Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Fix Our Hearts on True Joys

O God,
you make the minds of the faithful
to be of one will.
Grant that we may love what you command
and desire what you promise,
that among the many changes of this world,
our hearts may always be fixed
where true joys are found;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Easter

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Give Us a Devout Will and a Desire to Serve You

Almighty and eternal God,
always give us a devout will toward you
and the desire to serve your majesty with a pure heart;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Sunday after Ascension

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

A Prayer for Communicants

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Lord Jesus,
you call to yourself
all who labor and are heavy laden
to refresh them and give rest to their souls.
Let these guests experience your love
at the heavenly feast you have prepared
for your people on earth.
Keep them from impenitence and unbelief
that none may partake of this holy Sacrament
to their own judgment.
Take off from them the spotted garment of the flesh
and of their own righteousness,
and adorn them with the garment of the merit
purchased with your blood.
Strengthen their faith,
increase their love and hope,
and hereafter have them sit at your heavenly table,
where you will have your people eat of the eternal manna
and drink from the river of your pleasure forevermore.
Hear us for your own sake. Amen.

Source: Modified from Liturgy and Agenda, 1921

As a paragraph:

Lord Jesus, you call to yourself all who labor and are heavy laden to refresh them and give rest to their souls. Let these guests experience your love at the heavenly feast you have prepared for your people on earth. Keep them from impenitence and unbelief that none may partake of this holy Sacrament to their own judgment. Take off from them the spotted garment of the flesh and of their own righteousness, and adorn them with the garment of the merit purchased with your blood. Strengthen their faith, increase their love and hope, and hereafter have them sit at your heavenly table, where you will have your people eat of the eternal manna and drink from the river of your pleasure forevermore. Hear us for your own sake. Amen.

“you call to yourself all who labor and are heavy laden” is a reference to Matthew 11:28

“that none may partake of this holy Sacrament to their own judgment” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 11:29

“Take off from them the spotted garment of the flesh… and adorn them with the garment of the merit purchased with your blood” is a reference to Zechariah 3, Romans 13:12-14, Galatians 3:27 and Revelation 7:14

“Strengthen their faith, increase their love and hope,” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13

“eat of the eternal manna” is a reference to Revelation 2:17

“drink from the river of your pleasure forevermore” is a reference to Psalm 36:8 and Revelation 22:1-2

Graphic from Wikimedia Commons

Direct Our Hearts

O Lord,
direct our hearts by the working of your grace,
since without you, we are not able to please you;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.