Christian Prayer – Page 124 – A Collection of Prayers

Preserve Us from Faithless Fears

O most loving Father,
you want us to give thanks for all things,
to dread nothing but losing you,
and to cast all our anxiety on you
because you care for us.
Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties
and grant that no clouds of this mortal life
may hide from us the light of that love
which is immortal,
and which you have shown us
in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Source: William Bright

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 46 #2

“cast all our anxiety on you” is a reference to 1 Peter 5:7

Send forth Your Truth

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction We call on you, Almighty God,
the Fountain of eternal Light,
to send forth your truth into our hearts,
and to pour on us the glory of your brightness;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 44#2

Graphic: Model of Old Sarum (Salisbury) Cathedral, Wikipedia.com

You Refresh Us through Your Discipline

O God,
you discipline us in your love,
and you refresh us through your discipline.
Move us to give you thanks for both;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 31 #2

Fill Empty Hearts

O Lord,
you see that all hearts are empty
unless you fill them,
and all desires are thwarted
until they crave you.
Give us light and grace
to seek and find you,
that we may be yours
and you may be ours forever.
Amen.

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 28 #2

Our Hope Is in You

O Lord, our hope is in you.
Remove far from us empty hopes
and presumptuous confidence.
Make our hearts so right
with your most holy and loving heart,
that hoping in you we may do good,
until that day when faith and hope
shall be abolished by sight and possession,
and love shall be all in all.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 2 #1

Make Our Consciences Quick and Tender

Make our consciences quick and tender, O Lord,
that understanding we may obey your every word,
and discerning we may follow every suggestion
of your indwelling Spirit.
Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 5 #2

“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” is a reference to 1 Samuel 3:9

With You Is Refreshment and Strength

220px-sandro_botticelli_050 O Lord our God,
let us find hope under the shadow of your wings.
You will support us,
both when little,
and even to gray hairs.
When our strength is from you, it is strength.
When our own, it is weakness.
We return to you, O Lord,
that our weary souls may rise towards you,
leaning on the things which you have created,
and passing on to yourself,
since you have wonderfully made them;
for with you is refreshment and true strength. Amen.

Source: Augustine

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 2 #1

Graphic by Sandro Botticeli from Wikipedia.com.

A Sarum Blessing for the Sick

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction May the Father,
who created all things in the beginning, bless you.
May the + Son of God heal you.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten you,
guard your body, save your soul,
direct your thoughts,
and bring you safe to the heavenly country,
where he lives and reigns,
God, in a perfect Trinity,
forever and ever.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 193 #2

Graphic: Model of Old Sarum (Salisbury) Cathedral, Wikipedia.com

Seek Your Kingdom and Righteousness

O Lord,
help us always
to seek your kingdom and righteousness.
Give us all other things we need as well;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 89 #1

Also found here: Prayers Ancient and Modern by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 114 #2

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Increase Our Desire for Your Good

antifonariodelec3b3n1 It is good for us to hold on to you, O Lord,
but increase in us our desire for your good,
that our hope in you may not be shaken
by any wavering of faith,
but may endure in steadfastness of love.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 76 #2

Graphic: Mozarabic manuscript from the Cathedral of Leon, from Wikimedia Commons.