Almighty God,
fountain of eternal light,
send forth your truth into our hearts,
and pour on us the glory of your brightness;
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.
O God of strength,
you surpass all understanding,
and you mercifully give your people mercy and judgment.
Empower us to faithfully love you,
and to walk this day in the way of righteousness;
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.
Almighty and eternal God,
Brightness of faithful souls,
you brought the Gentiles to your light,
and made known to them him who is the true Light,
and the bright and morning Star.
Fill the world with your glory,
and show yourself by the radiance of your light to all nations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
O Lord,
look mercifully on us,
and grant that we may choose the way of peace.
Rescue us from the captivity of the sins which have oppressed us,
that we may attain the dwellings of the heavenly Jerusalem;
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
The heavens are shining with the clear beauty of the stars, O Lord,
and the very earth is made beautiful by a shining light,
because you appeared to the world
from your holy dwelling place.
Remove from our hearts all sadness,
for you came for this,
to make all things new.
Enlighten our eyes to purify us
that we may behold you forever,
that we who preach to the nations the glad joys of your appearing
may be made glad with you in infinite joy. Amen.
Source: Attributed to the Mozarabic Breviary
Source of this version: Freely modified from http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=964
Eric Milner-White was a British Anglican priest, academic, and decorated military chaplain. He was a founder of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd, an Anglican dispersed community, and served as its Superior between 1923 and 1938. From 1941 to 1963, he was the Dean of York in the Church of England.
During his time at King’s College, Milner-White introduced the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This was first broadcast in 1928 and has now become a major part of the BBC‘s Christmas schedule. (from Wikipedia.)
Eric Milner-White was a prolific writer and editor of prayers. Since some of his works are still under copyright, we have only a few of his prayers here. We also provide links to his works on other websites.
After the Third Collect – Prayers and Thanksgivings for use in Public Worship 1952 – Available in: HTML
Daily Prayer – Available in: HTML
My God, My Glory – Available through Amazon.com
A Procession of Passion Prayers – Available through Amazon.com
A Cambridge Bede Book – Limited availablility through Amazon.com
Cambridge Offices and Orisons – Limited availability through Amazon.com
O glorious, holy, almighty God,
you always pity the many wanderings of humanity,
and for this reason, you guided the Magi,
who lived in a land of dark superstition,
to your sacred cradle by the light of a star,
that you might enlighten all
who were walking in their own errors
with the desire of knowing you.
Enlighten us also with burning love for you,
that we who already know you
by your gracious illumination,
may cling to you forever. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Liturgy
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953 also, The New Ancient Collects, #95
O glorious and almighty God,
all the spirits of the blessed
place their hope in you.
Grant us that, by your help,
we may always serve you with a pure mind;
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.
Hear us, O Lord,
and in our troubles, pity us.
Give us spiritual gladness,
and give us eternal peace;
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.
O God,
you count the number of the stars,
and call them all by their names.
Heal the contrite in heart,
gather together the outcasts,
and enrich us with the fullness of your wisdom;
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.
A Collection of Prayers 