Christian Prayer – A Collection of Prayers

NEW! Summary of Christian Teaching by Veit Dietrich

This is an English translation of Veit Dietrich’s Summaria Christlicher Lehr für das Junge Volck. It was first published in German in 1546. An explanation of the work found on the University of Vienna’s website states, “Until the 19th century, this book served as a devotional resource in many communities. Its advantages are simplicity and didacticism.” Dietrich wrote a devotional and instructional commentary on each of the Gospels of the Historic Lectionary, each followed with a short prayer. This book is historically significant because it is mentioned in other Reformation era agendas, and because the prayers were popular in Scandinavian churches.

Available in paperback, for Amazon Kindle, and as an audiobook.

March 22

God, I adore you. I offer myself to you to work with strength of soul and body in your service and praise. Forgive all my sins and offences, and strengthen my faith, warm my love, teach me humility and obedience, and guide me with your divine Word, that I may serve you with all readiness and cheerfulness. You know all my thoughts and actions. Guide and strengthen me, and keep me near you, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Adapted from Charles Howe (1661–1742). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 21

God of light, Father of life, giver of wisdom, benefactor of our souls, in your Word you give those who trust in you things the angels long to look into. Sovereign Lord, you brought us from the depths of darkness to light. You have given us life out of death. You have graciously led us to freedom from slavery, and you have scattered the darkness of sin within us. Enlighten our eyes to understand your will, and sanctify us completely in spirit, soul, and body. Amen.

Liturgy of St. Mark (175–254?). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, give us all grace and strength to overcome every sin. Sins of aggression, purpose, surprise, negligence, omission, sins against you, ourselves, our neighbors, sins great, small, remembered, forgotten. Amen.

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 20

Lord, guide us in your way, and mercifully lead our thirsting minds to the fountain of your wisdom, that we may be free from heavy sorrows, and drink in the sweetness of life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mozarabic, before A.D. 700. Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

I need you to teach me day by day, according to each day’s opportunities and needs. Give me, Lord, purity of conscience. My ears are dull, and I cannot hear your voice. My eyes are dim, and I cannot see your signs. You alone can open my ears, make clear my sight, and cleanse and renew my heart. Teach me to sit at your feet, and to hear your Word. Amen.

Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 19

Most merciful and gracious Father, I bless and magnify your name that you have adopted me as your dear child and have given me the inheritance of my elder Brother, Jesus Christ. Father of mercies and God of all comfort, strengthen me that I may bear the yoke and burden of the Lord, without grumbling or unwillingness. Lord, I am unable to stand under the cross by myself, but you can ease my load by strengthening my spirit, that I may be strongest when I am weakest, and may be able to do and endure everything that you please through Christ who strengthens me. Let me pass through the valley of tears, even the valley of the shadow of death, with safety and peace, with a meek spirit, and a sense of your divine mercy; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bishop Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 18

Hope of all the ends of the earth, in you our fathers trusted, and you delivered them. You know we are made from dust, and you know our shortcomings. Have pity on us, Lord. Help of the helpless, and stronger than the strong, remember all who are in distress of mind, body, or situation. Help and strengthen them in every need. It is truly good and right, in all things, for all people, in joy and sorrow, alone and together, to remember and worship you, to trust in you, and praise you, Lord and Father, King and God, fountain of life and immortality, source of eternal good. All the heavens sing of your glory, and all the higher spirits praise you, crying to each other, and doing the work you give them, and so perfecting praise. Blessed be God, who lives forever, my strength and my deliverer, my salvation, and my refuge forever. Amen.

Rowland Williams (1818-1870). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 17

Merciful God, you are full of compassion, patient, and overflowing with mercy. Lead me in repentance, that I may flee from sin and guilt and flee to you with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Merciful Lord, visit, comfort, and relieve me. Increase my knowledge of your Word and confidence in your mercy, and in the world to come give me life eternal. Strengthen me against sin, and empower me to perform every duty, that I may serve you in whatever station in life you have called me. Finally, by a holy and happy death, deliver me from the struggles and sorrows of this life, and give me eternal happiness; for the sake of our Lord and Savior, your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Adapted from Samuel Johnson (1709–1784). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 16

Rest on us, Spirit of Love, and chase all anger, envy, and bitter grudges from our souls. Be our Comforter in trials when storms pass over our heads. Be our strength in the hour of weakness and help us to control the desires of the flesh. Let us grow in faith and love, in hope, patience, and humility. See how many temptations surround us! Keep our feet off every evil path, that we may keep your Word. Lead us, and we will run in the way of your commandments. Our hearts lie open before you. Enter now with your rich gifts, strengthen, establish, settle them. Dwell in us and make us your temples, that we may have the pledge of the children of God and of our salvation. Amen.

Johann Friedrich Starck (1680–1756). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 15

I know, Lord, and acknowledge myself unworthy of your love. But I am sure you are altogether worthy of mine. I am not good enough to serve you, but you have a right to the best service I can give. Give me some of that excellence that will supply my own lack of worth. Help me to cease from sin against your will, that I may render you service according to my duty. Enable me so to guard and govern myself, to begin and finish my course, that when the race of life is run, I may sleep in peace and rest in you. Be with me to the end, that my sleep may be rest indeed, my rest perfect security, and that security, a blessed eternity. Amen.

St. Augustine (354–430). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

March 14

Father, teach me to ask you each moment, silently, for your help. When I fail, forgive me. When I am disturbed, graciously draw me to yourself. May nothing come between us. Teach me to know your forgiving love in Christ, and my place as a child in your household. Teach me, my loving and tender Father, to reflect your grace in what I want, do and say. Protect me, guide me, bless me, within and without, and sanctify my work with your love. When the day is done, may I be nearer to you. Lead me, Lord, in a straight way to yourself, and keep me in your grace to the end. Amen.

Adapted from Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882). Revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.