Christian Prayer – Page 140 – A Collection of Prayers

A Nativity Prayer

Christ is born, glorify him.
Christ comes from heaven, go out to meet him.
Christ descends to earth; be raised up!
Sing to the Lord all the whole earth;
and that I may join both in one word,
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad,
for him who is of heaven and then of earth.
Christ is in the flesh,
rejoice with trembling and with joy;
with trembling because of your sins,
with joy because of your hope.

The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance,
let them see the great light of full knowledge.
The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.
The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front.
He who is not carnal is Incarnate;
the Son of God becomes the Son of Man,
Jesus Christ the Same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

Source: Gregory of Nazianzus

Source of this version: Freely adapted from http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310238.htm

Also found here: http://holycrossoca.org/newslet/0712.html

“Let the heavens rejoice” quotes Psalm 96:11

“The people who sat…” quotes Isaiah 9:2

“The old has passed…” quotes 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Yesterday, today…” quotes Hebrews 13:8

Your Word is Our Light

O Lord, you have given us your Word
for a light to shine upon our path;
grant us so to meditate on that Word,
and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light
that shines more and more until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: St. Jerome

Source of this version: http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/november09p8a.htm

Also found here: http://spckpublishing.co.uk/blog/spck-prayer/a-prayer-of-st-jerome-347-420/

This prayer is a reflection on Psalm 119:105.

Drinking the Sweet Word

The Last Chapter I pray, merciful Jesus,
that as you graciously granted me
to drink from the sweet Word which tells of you,
so you will, in your kindness,
grant that I may come at last to you,
the fountain of all wisdom,
and stand before your face forever.

Source: The Venerable Bede (672–735)

Source of this version: Modified freely from https://psalterstudies.wordpress.com/2008/05/25/may-25-bede-the-venerable/

Also found here: https://gabrielsmessage.wordpress.com/category/christ-the-bridegroom/

Alternative version:

Lord Jesus,
give us sweet drinks from the words of your knowledge.
Grant that we may also come to you,
the fountain of all wisdom,
and always stand before your face; for your sake. Amen.

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

Forgiveness

antifonariodelec3b3n1 O Lord,
let your forgiveness come from above.
May it comfort us in our misery,
may it cleanse us from our offences,
may it be granted to the penitent,
may it plead for mourners,
may it bring back those who wander from the faith,
may it raise up those who are fallen into sins,
may it reconcile us to the Father,
may it confirm us with the grace of Christ,
may it conform us to the Holy Spirit.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 40 #4

In the original this is part of a Good Friday litany.

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

Fill Us with Your Mercy

We have been satisfied, O Lord,
with your gifts and blessings.
Fill us with your mercy.
You are blessed,
and with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
you live and reign, one God, now and forever.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 175 #3

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

May Your Gifts Be Our Refreshment

Bless, O Lord, your gifts
which we are about to receive
from your goodness.

May your gifts, O Lord,
be our refreshment,
and your grace our comfort;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 175 #2

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

What Can We Give You?

What blessing,
what praise,
what thanksgiving
can we give you, O God, lover of all?
For when we were in the darkness of death
and drowning in the depths of sin
you granted us freedom
and gave us this immortal and heavenly food,
and showed us the mystery kept secret for long ages.
Help us understand your supreme mercy
and the greatness of your goodness
and Fatherly care for us.

Source: The Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 148 #1

“What blessing … can we give you” is be a reference to Psalm 116:12

“For when we were…” is a reference to Romans 5:8

“Mystery kept secret…” is a reference to Romans 16:25

Send Your Holy Angels

Hear us, holy Lord,
Father almighty,
everlasting God,
and send your holy angels from heaven
to guard, cherish, protect, visit
and defend all who dwell in this house;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 104 #1

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

You Have Healed Our Wounds

antifonariodelec3b3n1 You have healed our wounds, O Lord,
by the wounds of your only Son.
What then should we do
since we have been bought at so great a price?
How shall we serve such a Lord,
who has promised such liberty
and has offered such an inheritance to us?
Work in us, O Lord, what pleases you.
Possess us so that we may possess you.
We will not perish,
you will let us live,
and we will call upon your name.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 72 #3

“You have healed our wounds” is a reference to Isaiah 53:5

“What then should we do… How shall we serve” may be a reference to Psalm 116:12

“bought at so great a price” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“We will not perish” is a reference to Psalm 118:17

“We will not perish” in the original is “We will not go back from you.” Changed to “We will not perish” to broaden the reference to psalm 118.

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

Life, Light, Strength, Rest

antifonariodelec3b3n1 O Lord God,
Life of mortals,
Light of the faithful,
Strength of those who labor,
and the Rest for your saints,
give us a peaceful night
free of all trouble,
that after quiet sleep,
we may enjoy your blessings
at the return of the light,
and be moved to action
by your Holy Spirit,
and moved to give you thanks.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 11 #2

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