Author: pastorstratman

Lutheran pastor and musician serving St. Stephen's in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

For Assistance in Temptation

Almighty and merciful God,
you give your faithful people
the grace that makes every path of this life
the straight and narrow way which leads to life eternal.
Grant that we,
who know that we have no strength to help ourselves,
put all our trust in your almighty power,
and by the assistance of your heavenly grace,
always prevail in all things,
against whatever arises to fight against us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Defense from Evil

O almighty God,
we seek the shelter of your protection.
Defend us from all evils,
that we may serve you in peace and quietness of spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Peace

O God,
the comfort of all who are sorrowful,
and the salvation of those who put their trust in you,
in this dying life,
give us that peace for which we humbly pray,
and finally receive us into eternal joy in your presence;
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Increased Love Toward God

O Lord,
make your people always grow in love toward you,
their Father in heaven,
and train them to do holy works.
Pour your gifts on them,
that they may walk before you and be pleasing in your sight;
for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For a Knowledge of God’s Will

Most gracious God,
to know and love your will is righteousness,
enlighten our souls with the brightness of your presence,
that we may both know your will and be enabled to perform it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Divine Control

O Lord God,
King of heaven and earth,
order and hallow,
rule and govern,
our hearts and our bodies,
our thoughts,
our works,
and our words,
according to your commandments,
that with your help,
we may be delivered and saved,
now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Absent Friends

O blessed Lord,
you have commanded us to love one another.
Just as we have received your undeserved blessings,
may we love everyone in you and for you.

We ask your kindness for all,
but especially for the friends
whom your love has given to us.
Love them, O fountain of love,
and move them to love you
with all their heart,
that they may will, and speak, and do only those things
which are pleasing to you.

Our prayer is cold,
because our love is so feeble,
but you are rich in mercy.
Do not measure your goodness to them by the dullness of our devotion,
but as your kindness surpasses all human affection,
so let your hearing transcend our prayer.
Do what is best for them, according to your will,
that being ruled and protected by you always and everywhere,
they may receive eternal life in the end;
to you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Grace and Deliverance

O Lord,
feed your people with your grace,
and deliver our souls from the death of sin.
Fill us with your mercy,
that we may be united with the joys of the righteous;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

 

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For the World

Almighty and eternal God,
you are the brightness of the faithful.
You have made this day holy
by the first-fruits of the chosen Gentiles.
Fill the world with your glory
and show yourself by the radiance of your light
to the nations that are subject to you;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gregory the Great
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

 

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