O God,
you have forbidden us
to be anxious about what we need for this life.
Move our hearts
to seek you and your kingdom,
that all good things may be given to us as well;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: Gelasian, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 89#2.
On July 25 the Christian Church remembers St. James the Elder. He was the first of the twelve apostles to die for preaching about Christ (See Acts 12:1-2).
Grant, O Lord,
that as your holy apostle Saint James,
as soon as he was called,
left the ship and his father,
and followed your Son Jesus Christ with all his heart,
so we may always willingly and gladly
obey your commandments;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Collects.
O Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God,
direct us by your grace that we may never stand in the way of sinners,
but by your power always run with a free heart
in the way of your commandments;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.
Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 32 #1 (Trinity 6)
“the power of God and the wisdom of God” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 1:24
“stand in the way of sinners” is a reference to Psalm 1:1
“run with a free heart in the way of your commandments” is a reference to Psalm 119:32
O Lord,
give me
purity of lips,
a clean and innocent heart,
and rightness of action.
Give me
humility, patience, abstinence,
chastity, prudence, justice,
courage and self-control.
Give me
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and strength,
the Spirit of knowledge and godliness,
and of your fear.
Always lead me to seek your face
with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind.
Let me have a contrite and humble heart in your presence—
to prefer nothing to your love.
Most high, eternal, and ineffable Wisdom,
drive away from me the darkness of blindness and ignorance.
Most high and eternal Strength, rescue me.
Most high and eternal Courage, help me.
Most high and incomprehensible Light, illuminate me,
Most high and infinite Mercy, have mercy on me. [315.]
Source: Gallican, from the time of Charlemagne, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright p. 96#1.
Also attributed to Alcuin of York.
Jesus our Master,
walk with us on the road
as we yearn to reach the heavenly country,
so that following your light,
we may stay on the way of righteousness,
and never wander
into the horrible darkness of this world’s night,
while you, the way, the truth, and the life,
are shining within us.
Source: Mozarabic, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright p. 87#3
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord,
that your Word may go forth
and give light and understanding
to nourish the hearts of the simple.
Set our desires on your commandments,
so that we may receive with open heart
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
Source: Mozarabic, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright p. 78#3.
O God, the Father almighty,
shine on us with the light of your knowledge,
and the fullness of all virtue,
that, while we seek for the gifts of learning,
we may never depart from you,
the Fountain of all wisdom;
through Jesus Christ,
your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 31 #3 (Trinity 5)
“shine on us with the light” Psalm 119:105
“and the fullness of all virtue” 2 Peter 1:5
“the Fountain of all wisdom” may be a reference to Psalm 36:9, Psalm 68:26, Proverbs 14:27
Lord God,
Father of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,
your name is great,
your nature is wonderful,
your goodness is inexhaustible,
you are God and Master of all things,
and are blessed forever.
You sit between the cherubim,
and are glorified by the seraphim.
Before you stand thousands of thousands
and ten thousand times ten thousand,
the hosts of holy angels and archangels.
Sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits,
calm our fears
cleanse our consciences,
and drive out every evil thought,
every selfish desire,
envy, pride, hypocrisy,
falsehood, deceit, anxiety,
covetousness, arrogance, laziness,
malice, anger, grudges,
blasphemy, deeds or thoughts
that are contrary to your holy will.
O Lord, since you love us all,
give us the strength to boldly call on you
in the freedom of Christ,
without condemnation,
with a pure heart and a contrite soul,
with undivided attention
and with sanctified lips,
as our holy God and Father in heaven.
Source: Liturgy of St. James, from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 1#1.
“…in the freedom of Christ” was an addition for doctrinal reasons and for emphasis.
“between the cherubim” may be a reference to Exodus 25:22
“glorified by the seraphim” may be a reference to Isaiah 6:2
“ten thousand times ten thousand” may be a reference to Jude 1:14 or Revelation 5:11
“drive out every evil thought…” and what follows resembles Galatians 5:19-21
“pure heart” may be a reference to Psalm 24:4, 2 Timothy 2:22 or Hebrews 10:22
“sanctified lips” may be a reference to Isaiah 6:7
![Coptic[1]](https://acollectionofprayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/coptic1.jpg?w=258&h=249)
you are great, eternal,
and wonderful in glory.
You keep your covenant and promises
for those who love you
with their whole heart.
You are the Life of all,
the Help of those who flee to you,
the Hope of those who cry to you.
Cleanse us from our sins,
secret and open,
and from every thought displeasing to your goodness.
Cleanse our bodies and souls,
our hearts and consciences,
that with a pure heart and a clear soul,
with perfect love and calm hope,
we may venture confidently
and fearlessly to pray to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Source: Coptic Liturgy of St. Basil, from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 2#1.
Note:
“…through Jesus Christ our Lord” was added, both because it completes the prayer and it points to the source of the love, cleansing and fearlessness.
“You keep your covenant and promises” may be a reference to 1 Kings 8:23 or 2 Chronicles 6:14.
“Cleans us from our sins, secret…” may be a reference to Psalm 19:12.
“we may venture confidently” may be a reference to Ephesians 3:12.
O Lord,
hear the morning prayers of your people,
and enlighten our hearts with your healing goodness,
that no dark desires may trouble us
since the light of your heavenly grace has renewed us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: Gelasian, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. WIlliam Bright, p. 7#1
A Collection of Prayers 