Christian Prayer – Page 128 – A Collection of Prayers

Light of Life, Living Water

antifonariodelec3b3n1 O God,
you are the source of all life,
and in your light we see light.
Increase in us the light
of your divine knowledge
so we may be able to reach
your flowing fountain.
Give our thirsty souls
the living water
and restore to our darkened minds
the light from heaven.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 22 #1

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

Faithful God, Make Us Faithful

antifonariodelec3b3n1 O Lord, you never change.
Help us to pass through the coming year
with faithful hearts
that we may always be able
to do what is pleasing in your sight.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

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

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

Deliver Us, that We May Praise

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction Most merciful God,
our foundation of hope
and our refuge in trouble,
deliver us from the snares of death
so that even with the many troubles that surround us
we may sing praises to your holy name
in purity and innocence;
through Jesus 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. 230 #2

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

Pour the Gift of Love into Our Hearts

O God,
by the grace of the Holy Spirit
you poured the gift of love
into the hearts of your faithful people.
Give your servants __________, __________,
health of body and soul
that they may love you with all their strength,
and moved by love, do what pleases you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

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

Rescue Us from Captivity

O Lord,
look on us in your mercy
and help us to choose the way of peace.
Rescue us from the captivity of our sin,
lift its oppression,
and lead us to dwell in your heavenly Jerusalem;
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 54 #2

From Darkness to Light

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction

O Lord,
graciously enlighten our hearts
with your holy light,
that we may serve you without fear
in holiness and righteousness
all the days of our life.
Lead us out of the darkness of this world,
to the land of heavenly brightness;
through your mercy, O blessed Lord,
who lives and reigns over all things,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

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

A Communion Thanksgiving Prayer

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction O almighty and everlasting Lord God,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
be merciful to me,
and forgive my sins,
through the partaking of your most blessed body and blood;
for you have spoken, saying:
“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood,
abides in me, and I in him.”

Therefore create in me a clean heart,
and renew a right spirit within me;
and uphold me with your free Spirit,
and deliver me from all the snares
and malice of the devil;
that I may share in the joys of heaven.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/Prayer/Index/100/PrayerIndex/30

Traditional English:

O almighty and everlasting Lord God, Jesus Christ our Lord, be merciful unto my sins, through the partaking of Thy most blessed Body and Blood; for Thou hast spoken, saying: He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, abideth in Me, and I in him.

Wherefore I humbly beseech Thee to create in me a clean heart, and renew a rightful spirit within me; and deign to establish me with Thy free Spirit, and to deliver me from all the snares and malice of the devil; that I may be found worthy to have a share in the joys of heaven. Amen.

“Whoever eats my flesh” is a reference to John 6:54 and refers to taking in everything Jesus is and says, not only his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus spoke the words some time before the Supper was instituted.

As a block paragraph, modified for use in corporate worship, reference to John 6 removed to avoid confusion:

O almighty and everlasting Lord God, Jesus Christ our Lord, be merciful to us and forgive our sins through the partaking of your most blessed body and blood. Create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us. Uphold us with your free Spirit and deliver us from all the snares and malice of the devil that we may share in the joys of heaven. You live and reign, now and forever. Amen.

“Create in me a clean heart…” is a reference to Psalm 51:10-12

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

“It Is Finished”

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O blessed Jesus,
most mighty lion,
King immortal and most victorious,
remember the sorrow that you suffered
when all your powers of heart and body
failed you utterly,
and when you bowed your head and said,
“It is finished.”
Remembering your anguish and sorrow,
blessed Jesus, have mercy on me in my last hour.

Source: Sarum Primer, 1538

Source of this version: http://www.oursanctuary.net/sarum.html

Traditional English:

O blessed Jesu, most mighty lion, King immortal and most victorious, have mind of the sorrow that Thou sufferedst when all the powers of Thine heart and body for feebleness failed Thee utterly. And then Thou saidst, inclining Thine head thus: “It is all done.” For mind of thine anguish and sorrow, blessed Jesus, have mercy on me in my last end.

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.

Help Us in Hardships, Fill Us with Joy

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d You are the eternal protection and salvation of our souls,
arm us with the helmet of hope,
and the shield of your invincible defense.
Help us in all hardships and needs,
and fill us with joy and gladness with those who love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: http://www.oursanctuary.net/sarum.html

Also found here: Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 280 #2

Traditional English:

Thou, who art the eternal protection and salvation of our souls, arm us, we entreat Thee, with the helmet of hope, and the shield of Thy invincible defence; that so, helped by Thee in the straits of our necessities, we may be filled with joy and gladness with those who love Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.

Scatter All the Darkness

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d Almighty God,
you have placed the day-star in the heavens.
When it rises it scatters the night
and restores morning to the world.
Fill us with your mercy,
enlighten us,
and scatter all the darkness of our sins;
through Jesus 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. 347 #2

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.