Oremus–Let Us Pray! is an updating of the classic resource by Paul Zeller Strodach, which is now in the public domain. The original can be viewed here: https://archive.org/details/oremuscollectsde00unse/page/n5/mode/2up
This revision puts all the prayers of Oremus into contemporary English, making the book a useful resource for personal devotion and public worship.
Available in paperback or for Kindle through Amazon.com.
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Natal, Joyeux Noël, Fröhliche Weihnachten, 圣诞节快乐！(Shèngdàn Jié kuàilè!), счастливого Рождества (Schastlivogo Rozhdestva), щасливого Різдва (Shchaslyvoho Rizdva) to all our readers around the world from A Collection of Prayers.
May the glory of the Christchild give you strength, healing, pardon and peace!
+ In Christ +
Paul C. Stratman
Editor/curator of A Collection of Prayers
Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:
This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.
I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “because they will rest from their labors, for their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us in faith,
who have shared with us in God’s gifts of life,
of peace and forgiveness through the hearing of the gospel,
of new life and the promise of resurrection through his Son in baptism,
who with us have been fed the body and blood of his Son at this holy table,
and who now have been called to the heavenly feast that will never end.
The names of those who have died in the last year are read.
Let us pray.
Lord, look upon your holy Christian Church, the communion of saints here on earth. Strengthen and keep us in the one true faith, and make us grow in fervent love for you and for one another. Bring us with your saints to glory everlasting, that with them we may sing your praise forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Prepared for http://www.acollectionofprayers.com. Scripture is from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version.
Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder.
Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:
This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive the glory and the honor and the power,
for you have created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
You are worthy, O Lamb, because you were slain,
and you bought us for God with your blood
out of every tribe and language and people and nation.
You made them to be a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10)
With hope in Christ and in the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those in this congregation who have died in the last year:
The names of those to be remembered are read aloud.
Jesus said, “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me,
but raise them up on the Last Day.” (John 6:39)
Eternal God and Father, you are not the God of the dead but of the living, and all who have put their trust in you, who rest in their chambers under the earth, live in you. Be merciful to us, dear Father. Do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death, but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Uphold us with your Holy Spirit, and give us a clear conscience, that we may live our Christian lives, and finally fall asleep in peace and joy when we leave this valley of tears, and rest in peace until you open our graves and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder
Source: Based on a document from the Diocese of Gloucester. (https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/content/pages/documents/1380206639.pdf). Responsive reading is from passages in Revelation and John. Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. Closing Collect is from Order for Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 760#2.
Lord God, our heavenly Father,
you have created us, and we are yours;
hear the prayer of your children.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, atonement for our sins,
you have risen from the dead;
come and stay among us.
Christ, have mercy.
Holy Spirit, Comforter,
you are the true source of joy;
open our hearts to give you our thanks.
Lord, have mercy.
or
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above
and the salvation of our souls
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For peace to the whole world,
for the endurance and unity
of the Church of God,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the congregation that meets in this house,
and for all who invoke the name of the Lord,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.¨
Pardon, defend and protect us.
Lord, have mercy.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Services in English. http://www.evl.fi/kkh/to/kjmk/engl/messu-engl.rtf
Lord, you became our brother. You know our need. You carried it on your cross. Grant us your salvation.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, you are the living Lord. You are with us as you promised. Keep us close to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, you are seated at the right hand of the Father. Pray for us and strengthen our faith. We look to the day of your coming. Come, Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, have mercy.
or
You are the ever-radiant morning sun; give us courage and love.
Lord, have mercy.
You are the living way to life; give us faith and wisdom.
Christ, have mercy.
You are the open door to blessedness; give us hope and happiness.
Lord, have mercy.
or
Holy Lord God, holy and strong, holy and merciful Savior, our eternal God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Source: Church of Sweden, Service Book in English. http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/gudstjanstbanken/service_book/01hogmassa.htm
Usually, A Collection of Prayers does not feature hymns, since another fine website, Hymnary.org, has extensive information, multiple translations, and charts on hymns appearance in hymnals. “O Gracious Light” is an exception because of its liturgical use.
“O Gracious Light” was first recorded by an unknown author in the Apostolic Constitutions, which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th century. Basil of Caesarea (329–379) spoke of the singing of the Phos Hilaron as a cherished tradition of the church, the hymn being already considered old in his day (though some attribute the composition of the song to Basil himself). (See article on Wikipedia.) It is an evening hymn, often used as part of the Lucernarium, the Service of Light. Ideally, candles would be lit as the hymn is sung. Several versions of Vespers (Evening Prayer) include some version of “O Gracious Light” as an opening hymn.
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Source: Book of Common Prayer (U. S.), 1979, p. 112.
Original in Greek:
Φῶς ἱλαρὸν
ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου,
ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ,
ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν,
ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν,
ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν, καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν.
Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις,
Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς·
διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.
“O Gracious Light” has been translated into English many times into both prose and poetic versions.
Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (Prose)
Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe proclaims your glory.
This is a copyrighted text, © 1978 Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Robert Bridges, d. 1930 (Poetic)
O gladsome light, O grace
of God the Father’s face,
the eternal splendour wearing;
celestial, holy, blest,
our Savior Jesus Christ,
joyful in thine appearing.
Now, ere day fadeth quite,
we see the evening light,
our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
thee, his incarnate Son,
and Holy Spirit adoring.
To thee of right belongs
all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Lifegiver;
thee, therefore, O Most High,
the world doth glorify,
and shall exalt forever.
F. Bland Tucker, d. 1984 (Poetic)
O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
in you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
and blest are you, his holy Son.
Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit; God
who dwells in the eternal light.
Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
wherefore you are through all the earth
and in the highest heaven adored.
This is a copyrighted text, © The Church Pension Fund
Marty Haugen, (Poetic) from Holden Evening Prayer
Joyous light of heavenly glory,
loving glow of God’s own face,
you who sing creation’s story,
shine on every land and race.
Now as evening falls around us,
we shall raise our songs to you.
God of daybreak, God of shadows,
come and light our hearts anew.
In the stars that grace the darkness,
in the blazing sun of dawn,
in the light of peace and wisdom,
we can hear your quiet song.
Love that fills the night with wonder,
love that warms the weary soul,
love that bursts all chains asunder,
set us free and make us whole.
You who made the heaven’s splendor,
every dancing star of night,
make us shine with gentle justice,
let us each reflect your light.
Mighty God of all creation,
gentle Christ who lights our way,
loving Spirit of salvation,
lead us on to endless day.
The hymn, “Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory” begins at 0:38.
This is a copyrighted text, © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc.
Michael Schultz, for Christian Worship (2021), poetic
Gladdening light of purest glory,
shining down from heaven on high,
from the ever-living Father–
hail, most blessed Jesus Christ.
In the fading light of evening,
as the setting sun departs,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–
we adore you, Lord our God.
For your gift of life unending,
joyful voices ever sing
hymns of praise that rightly honor
Son of God, your saving name.
This is a copyrighted text, © 2021 Northwestern Publishing House.
The Way of Recovery has been available on A Collection of Prayers since January 2022, both to read online and to download as a printable booklet. You can click here to go to the page.
The Way of Recovery can now be purchased as a pre-printed booklet through Lulu.com. We’re making it available for $5.50, which is close to the cost of printing.
35 pages.
This version is condensed from the Liturgy of St. Mark. The original contains much repetition, along with many petitions for people, the church, the government, good weather, bountiful harvest, and remembrance of the faithful departed. A version for modern use follows.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And with your spirit.
Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
It is meet and just so to do.
It is truly good and right that we should worship you, sing to you, and give thanks to you with unceasing praise, Living One, Lord God, Father almighty.
You made all things in heaven and on earth. You made mankind in your holy image and gave them the delights of Paradise. When our first parents fell, you raised them up again with your promise of a Savior, who is your holy Wisdom, your true Light, your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. …
You are above all power and dominion, might and authority, and every name in this world and in the world to come. Before you stand countless ranks of angels and archangels, who serve you day and night, and see the glory of your presence, crying out with unceasing praise. We join our voices with them, crying aloud and declaring the majesty of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Truly heaven and earth are full of your glory in the appearing of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. Give us your heavenly blessing by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.
For the Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Amen.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
We proclaim your death, O Lord, and we confess your resurrection. …
We present to you the gifts you have given us, and we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of truth, that he would strengthen us with his power and enlighten us with his gifts. Bless and hallow this bread and wine, that through Christ’s body and blood we may be strengthened in faith, healed, sanctified, and renewed in body soul, and spirit, that your name may be praised, our sins forgiven, and in this and all places, your holy name may be hallowed, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen. …
The mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
And with your spirit.
Our Father…
The peace of the Lord be with you all.
And with your spirit.
Source: Shortened and condensed from https://www.trinityorthodox.ca/sites/default/files/Liturgy%20of%20St%20Mark.pdf
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord…
The minister speaks the Proper Preface, concluding with:
Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Living One, Lord God, Father Almighty, you made all things in heaven and on earth. You made mankind in your holy image and gave them the delights of Paradise. When our first parents fell, you raised them up again with your promise of a Savior, who is your holy Wisdom, your true Light, your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.
You are above all power and dominion, might and authority, and every name in this world and in the world to come. Before you stand countless ranks of angels and archangels, who serve you day and night, and see the glory of your presence, crying out with unceasing praise.
Send us your Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of truth, that he would strengthen us with his power and enlighten us with his gifts. Bless and hallow this this Holy Supper, that through Christ’s body and blood we may be strengthened in faith, healed, sanctified, and renewed in body soul, and spirit, that your name may be praised, our sins forgiven, and in this and all places, your holy name may be hallowed, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Our Father,…
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, …
The Praying with the Readings series strives to create Prayers of the Church (Prayers of Intercession, Prayers of the People) using classic forms and presenting the needs of God’s people in fresh ways. Prayers for each Sunday and Major Festival are composed of several petitions that reflect on the thoughts in the readings for the day.
Purchase of the print copies entitles you to download electronic files for free. Details on downloading and directions for finding passwords are in the printed copies.
NOTE: All the books in this series are being migrated to a different publishing service. Not all are available at this time.
Praying with the Readings, Year A
Praying with the Readings, Year B [TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE]
Praying with the Readings, Year C [TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE]
Praying with the Readings, Historic
Praying with the Readings, Minor Festivals and Occasions
Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects has now been re-edited to be a companion to the Praying with the Readings series. The new edition now has a section with the prayers arranged for use with the Historic Lectionary. An index has suggestions for prayers to use on minor festivals and the most commonly used occasions.
Again, purchase of the print copy entitles you to download electronic files for free. Details on downloading and directions for finding passwords are in the printed copy.
Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects
The previous edition looked like the image at the left.
A Collection of Prayers 