Christian Prayer – Page 129 – A Collection of Prayers

Purify Our Hearts

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O God,
you purify human hearts from sin
and make them whiter than snow.
Pour on us the abundance of your mercy.
Renew the Holy Spirit in us
that we may declare your praise,
be strengthened by your grace,
and obtain rest in the eternal mansions
of the heavenly Jerusalem;
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. 320 #2

This prayer is a reflection on Psalm 51

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

Deliver Us Captives

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O Lord, you listen to prayer.
Listen to our petitions.
We have been taken captive by our sins,
and feel withered like the grass.
Deliver us by your divine mercy.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 300 #2

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

You Wash Away Our Offences

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O Lord,
you wash away our offences.
Comfort us who call on you.
Blot out our transgressions,
and restore us
from the death of sin
to the land of the living;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary

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

The prayer is a reflection on Psalm 51

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

For Brotherly Kindness

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O Lord,
pour on us the spirit
of brotherly kindness and peace.
Sprinkle us with the dew of your blessing,
and make us glad by your glory and grace;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

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

“Sprinkle us with the dew” is a reference to Psalm 133

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

Renew Innocence

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O God,
renewer and lover of innocence,
turn the hearts of your servants to yourself
that we may be found
rooted in faith
and fruitful in works;
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. 224 #2

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

Make Us Your Temples

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d Gracious Lord,
you hear the sighing of a contrite heart
before it can be uttered.
Make us the temples of your Holy Spirit,
that we may be defended
by the shield of your heavenly goodness;
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. 207 #2

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

Sorrow Turns to Joy

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d

Most merciful God,
helper of all,
strengthen us by your power
that our sorrow may be turned into joy
and that we may continually glorify your holy name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Source: Sarum Rite

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

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

Be Our Shepherd

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O Lord,
be our Shepherd,
so we may receive all good things from your kindness.
Fill us with your overflowing cup,
and bring us to dwell in your house forever;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 153 #2

Deliver Our Hearts

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O most merciful and gracious God,
hear our prayers,
and deliver our hearts
from the temptation of evil thoughts,
that by your goodness,
we may be a fitting dwelling for your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Source: Priest’s Prayer Book

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 123 #1

Speak the Truth in Love

O Lord,
may all who contend for the faith
never injure it by discord and impatience,
but speaking your precious truth in love,
present it that it may be loved,
and that people may see your truth
as goodness and beauty. Amen.

Source: William Bright

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 107 #2