Bright’s Ancient Collects – Page 5 – A Collection of Prayers

A Benediction

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May our Lord + Jesus Christ
be near you to defend you,
within you to refresh you,
around you to preserve you,
before you to guide you,
behind you to justify you,
above you to bless you;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Source: 10^th Century manuscript, from The New Ancient Collects, #575, (Bright’s Ancient Collects, p. 193.3)

In Bright’s Ancient Collects, this was printed as a prayer with this ending:

…above you to bless you;
who lives and reigns
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Never Let Us Wander into Darkness

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 in the horrible darkness of this world’s night
while you, the way, the truth, and the life,
are shining within us.

Source: Mozarabic Rite, from The New Ancient Collects, #289, also in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

Give Us Grace and Power

Lord God of our salvation,
we thank you
for all good things you do in our lives.
Help us always look to you,
the Savior and Benefactor of our souls.
You have refreshed us in the past night,
raised us up from our beds,
and brought us to worship your glorious name.
Give us grace and power
that we may sing your praise with understanding,
pray to you without ceasing,
and continue to work out our salvation
with fear and trembling;
through the aid of your Christ.

Source: Daybreak Office of the Eastern Church, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 5.2

“that we may sing your praise with understanding” may be a reference to 1 Corinthians 14:15

“pray to you without ceasing” is a reference to 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling” is a reference to Philippians 2:12

Give Us What Is Good, Make Us Ready, Unite Us

O gracious King of ages,
Master of all creation,
receive your Church that approaches you through Christ.
Give each of us what is good,
bring us all to completeness
and make us ready by your sanctifying grace.
Unite us together in your Holy Church,
which you purchased with the precious blood of your only Son,
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;
with him, and with your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit,
you are blessed and glorified forever.

Source: Liturgy of St. James, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 130.1

Benignant

May We Persevere with Steadfast Faith in the Confession of Your Name

Almighty and eternal God,
by Christ you revealed your glory to all nations.
Preserve the works of your mercy,
that your Church,
which is spread throughout the world,
may persevere with steadfast faith
in the confession of your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian collect for Good Friday, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 98.1.

Fill Us with the Invincible Power of Your Love

O God,
you make all things work together
for good to those who love you.
Fill us with the invincible power of your love
that the holy desires you have put in our hearts
may not be changed by any temptation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 77.3

Help Us Patiently Wait for Your Light

Merciful Lord,
Comforter and Teacher of your faithful people,
increase in your Church the desires you have given.
Strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you,
and show them the depth of your promises.
Lead all your adopted children to see with the eyes of faith,
and help them wait patiently for the light that is now hidden;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Ambrosian, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 76.4.

Fill Our Hearts with the Gifts of Your Grace

comeuntome Lord Jesus Christ,
true God and truly human,
you do not change,
and you are holy in all your works.
Remove all our unbelief and doubt,
and fill our hearts with the gifts of your grace
that we may believe and know you as true God,
and by your miracles and mighty works
know you as Savior of all.

Source: Mozarabic, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 75.4. Also in Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 27 #3 (Easter 4)

“true God and fully human” is a reference to 1 Timothy 2:5

“you do not change” is a reference to Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8

“Remove all our unbelief and doubt” is a reference to Mark 9:24

You Are the Blessed Lord God of Israel

Almighty Lord our God,
guide our feet into the way of peace,
and strengthen our hearts to obey your commands.
May the sunrise dawn upon us
and give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
that they may adore you for your mercy,
follow you for your truth,
desire you for your sweetness,
for you are the blessed Lord God of Israel.

Source: Collection post Prophetiam, prayer after the Benedictus, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 126#2.

In Your Great Mercy Set Us Free

comeuntome O God,
you are the author of love,
and you love pure peace and affection.
Heal the diseases of all Christians who are sick,
and in your great mercy set free
all who are terrified by fears,
afflicted by poverty,
weary with trouble,
worn down by illness,
burdened with punishment,
and all prisoners and wanderers.
Show them your compassion daily,
lift them up, correct them,
and protect them.

Source: Gallican Sacramentary, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 122#1. Also in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.