Be a bright flame before me,
Be a guiding star above me,
Be a smooth path below me,
Be a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today, tonight, and forever.
Source: Columba
Source of this version: Modified from http://www.faithandworship.com/Christian_Quotes.htm#ixzz4DZpQ04t9
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
O Lord,
grant that we may live our life here
without trouble and in security,
and enjoy eternal life
by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory and might
together with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.
Source: St. John Chrysostom
Source of this version: Modified from The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom.
Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of your truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast
to what we professed when we were baptized
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that we may have you for our Father,
that we may abide in your Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Hilary of Poitiers
Source of this version: St. Andrew’s Cross, October 1921
Take from us
all impurity of thought and desire,
all envy, pride and hypocrisy,
all falsehood and deceit,
all covetousness, arrogance and laziness,
all malice and anger,
everything that is against your will,
O most holy Lord.
Enlighten our understanding
that we may know
the greatness of your love in Christ,
the mysteries of your kingdom,
and the riches of your eternal glory.
Teach us what you would have us do,
and uphold us with your mighty power,
that in everything we do
we begin, proceed, and end
with your blessing.
Amen.
Source of this version: A Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1896, p. 263 #3
“that in everything we do…” in the Book of Common Order is “that every work of ours may begin always from Thee, and in Thee be happily ended.”
O God,
with you there is no darkness,
but the night shines like the day.
Keep and defend us and all your saints
in soul and body
during the coming night.
May we rest knowing your favor,
in the peace of a clear conscience,
in the hope of your blessing,
in faith in your providence,
in the love of your Spirit.
May we rise again
diligently carrying out our callings,
to do God’s work while it is day,
for the night comes when no one can work.
Whether we wake or sleep,
we live together with Christ.
Amen.
Source of this version: A Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1896, p. 193 #4
“No darkness” may be a reference to 1 John 1:5
Variant:
O God, with whom there is no darkness, but the night shines as the day: keep and defend us and all your children, we beseech you, throughout the coming night. Renew our hearts with your forgiveness and our bodies with untroubled sleep, that we may wake to use more faithfully your gift of life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source of this version: http://ourladyofloreto.org/bulletins_2014/Mar_16.pdf
“Work while it is day…” is a reference to John 9:4
Almighty and eternal God,
you are the comfort of the sorrowful
and the strength of the weak.
Graciously hear the prayers of those
who call out to you in any trouble or distress,
that in all their needs
they may receive your abundant help
and know your immeasurable comfort;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Modified from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia, 1919, p. 223 #62
Almighty God,
you care for me as if you thought of me alone,
and you care for all as if all were one.
I see the things of this earth pass away,
and I see other things take their place,
but you remain forever.
Therefore, my God and Father,
to you I entrust all I have received from you,
for then, I can lose nothing.
You, O Lord,
have made me for yourself,
and my heart can find no rest
until it rests in you.
Amen.
Source: Augustine
Source of this version: Freely modified The Hymnal and Order of Service, The Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod, 1925, p. 680 #3
See also “Prayer and Motto of St. Augustine”
Note: Many published prayers attributed to Augustine contain some form of the words “our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Graphic by Sandro Botticeli from Wikipedia.com.
Dear God and Father,
it is altogether true
that I am not worthy
that you should come under my roof,
but at your own command and invitation
I come to you at your holy table.
I fully and firmly believe
that you have mercifully forgiven my sins.
Preserve me in faith
and in unbroken communion with you.
I do not doubt your word of power.
You have fulfilled it in me,
a poor wretched sinner,
to your glory.
Amen.
Source: Martin Luther
Source of this version: Freely modified The Hymnal and Order of Service, The Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod, 1925, p. 682 #1
This prayer is similar to prayer 158 in Luther’s Prayers, Augsburg Publishing House, © 1967
This prayer paraphrases Matthew 8:8 and is similar to a prayer in the Latin Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” See this article in America: National Catholic Review about the return of the prayer in the most recent revision of the Mass.
See also “Say the Word and I Shall Be Healed” by Wilhelm Löhe.
May the Lord hear us and bless us.
May he save us from our spiritual enemy
and from all that is evil,
and keep us under the shadow of his wings,
this night, and forevermore;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In the name of Jesus + Christ our Lord,
let us have quiet sleep this night,
and rest in peace.
Amen.
Source: from Mozarabic Evening Prayer from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 61
Graphic: Mozarabic manuscript from the Cathedral of Leon, from Wikimedia Commons.
O Lord, you have preserved us during the labors of the day.
Guard us through the dangers of the night.
Let your Holy Spirit watch over us,
and be our defense, now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: from Mozarabic Evening Prayer from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 61
Graphic: Mozarabic manuscript from the Cathedral of Leon, from Wikimedia Commons.
A Collection of Prayers 
