Christian Prayer – A Collection of Prayers

October 5

Lord, I do not know what lies ahead for me this day, but you know. I leave all things in your hands and place myself at your disposal. Do for me as you know best. Help me prosper in all I do. Give me success if it is your will. But, if you know that crosses and disappointments are better for me, teach me to also accept them from you, bear them humbly and cheerfully, and to say, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” God, keep me happy as I serve you. Keep my conscience clear. Let me do nothing, say nothing, desire nothing contrary to your will. Give me a thankful spirit. I praise you for all you have given me, and for all that you have not given me. Amen.

Adapted from Bishop Ashton Oxenden (1808-1892), 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.

October 4

God and King, blessed are all your saints who have travelled over the raging sea of mortality, and have reached the port of happy peace. Graciously look on us on our dangerous voyage. Remember, help and strengthen us in our distress, and help those who are going through rougher storms of trouble and temptation. Strengthen us for battle. Defend us from our own negligence and cowardice. Lord, after this virtuous and noble service, bring our ship safe to shore, to your harbor above. 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.

October 3

Our Father, cheer us with your presence, and direct us with your light. Give us strength to serve you. Give us your help in our sorrows, our weakness, our failures and sins. You know we cannot bear these burdens alone. We are like little children in a very dark world, and our path would be very hard if we walked it alone. But we are your children, and we know we can come to our Father, to ask you to help, refresh, strengthen us, and give us hope. We are not ashamed of our tears, for our Lord Jesus has wept with us. We do not ask you to take away our sorrow, for he was made perfect through suffering. Be with us as you were with him, our Father, close to your children, as he has promised. Amen.

The Altar at Home, 1862, 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.

October 2

Lord my God, you are the comfort of all who trust you, the help and shield of all who hope in you. I accept all things from your hand without complaint, for whatever you do is right. Do you want me to walk through shadows and trouble? Your way is good, and I will praise you. Do you want my path to be filled with light and peace? Again, I praise you. Your grace always orders all things. Keep me from walking in sin and unrighteousness among those who do not care for you. Since all things must work together for my good, I will fear nothing, not even suffering or death. Lord, keep me in your love and truth, comfort me with your light, and guide me by your Spirit. Amen.

S. Weiss (1738–1805)., 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.

September 30

Eternal God, you created me to do your work among people, and to serve you now according to my abilities. Teach me to use my time wisely, to resist all temptations, and to serve my fellow Christians. As I carry out all my duties, may I glorify your name. Give me a watchful and active spirit, and wisdom as I choose my work, that I may do everything with the dignity of a Christian, and fill my time with actions of faith and charity, using and multiplying all the talents you have given me, my Lord, and finally enter my master’s happiness; for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

Source: 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.

September 29

Holy Father, you show yourself to your children by discipline, which is sometimes unpleasant and painful. We turn to you in our anxiety and commit our troubles to your help. You have been with us in good times and in bad. Do not let our faith fail, even if our path is rough, but sustain us with the comfort and peace which are in Jesus Christ. God, grant that the fiery trial that is happening among us to test us will lead us to courage and patience, and let our patience bear good fruit, that we lack nothing, and draw closer to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Henry Wilder Foote (1858–1889), 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.

September 28

Lord, deliver us from fear of the unknown future, from fear of failure, from fear of poverty, from fear of bereavement, from fear of loneliness, from fear of sickness and pain, from fear of old age, and from fear of death, and fill our hearts with cheerful courage, and loving trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mary Wilder Tileston (1843-1934), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord and Master, be our help and provider. Save those among us who are in trouble, have mercy on the lonely, lift up the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the ungodly, convert your people who wander, feed the hungry, raise up the weak, comfort the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles know that you are God alone, and Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. Amen.

Source: Clement of Rome (c. A. D. 35-99), 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.

September 27

Almighty God, you are the strength of all who trust in you. Give us confidence in your wisdom, goodness, and abiding love, that we may endure all things with quiet spirits, meditating on your divine peace and heavenly rest. Uphold us by your mercy, that we never faint or fear, but faithfully do the duties of life. When our last hour comes, support us with your everlasting arms and guide us into life eternal. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: George Dawson (1821–1876), 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.

September 26

Lord, set my soul on you. Do not let me weary myself with the cares, anxieties, and harassment of this life, for I hope to live in your eternal love. Do not let me be anxious about anything, but be confident in your love, and in your Spirit’s loving work in me. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, be our refuge from the storm, our shadow from the heat. When we are safe in your arms, we are sometimes foolishly timid. Help us overcome our unbelief, and in your tenderness assure us of your protection. You make all things work together for good to those who love you. Do not let troubles injure our souls. Do not let sorrow wear out our hearts. Amen.

Source: Hunter’s Devotional Services, 1892, 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.

September 25

God, in your great love for this world you reconciled earth to heaven through your only Son. By the darkness of our sins we are often turned aside from brotherly love. Let your light shine in our souls and fill us with your own sweetness. Embrace our friends in you and our enemies for your sake, and bind us together in mutual affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic before A.D. 700, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, strengthen and support all who are unjustly accused or undervalued. Comfort them with the constant thought that you know the whole truth, and in your own good time you will make their righteousness shine like light. Give them grace to pray for those who do them wrong, and hear and bless them when they pray. Amen.

Source: 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.