Christian Prayer – Page 92 – A Collection of Prayers

A Litany

Do not remember, Lord, our offences or the offences of our forefathers,
and do not take vengeance for our sins:
Spare us, good Lord.

Spare your servants, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood,
and do not be angry with us forever:
Spare us, O Lord.

From the guilt and burden of our sins,
from the stings and terrors of conscience,
from the illusions and assaults of the enemy,
and from the bitter pains of eternal death:
Deliver us, O Lord.

From all impatience under your discipline,
from dejection of spirit and lack of trust in your mercies,
from the fear of death,
and from the terrors of judgment:
Deliver us, O Lord.

By your many and great mercies,
by the all sufficient merits of your blessed Son, Jesus Christ,
by his agony and bloody sweat,
by his bitter cross and passion,
by his glorious resurrection and ascension,
by his continual intercession for us at your right hand,
and by the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit:
Deliver us, O Lord.

In all the changes and trials of this mortal life,
in all time of our tribulation, and in all time of our wealth,
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment:
Deliver us, O Lord.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, O Lord:
Son of God, we pray, hear us.

That it may please you to look on us with the eye of your mercy,
to give us a hearty faith and confidence in you,
and in all our dangers and adversities
to stretch forth the right hand of your majesty,
to help and defend us,
and to keep us in perpetual peace and safety:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to remember us with your favor,
and to give us grace to follow the good examples of your servants
who have departed this life in your faith and fear,
that with them we may become partakers of your heavenly kingdom:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to give us an entire resignation to your holy will,
to wean our affection from things below,
to fill us with ardent desires after heaven,
and finally, to make us partakers of all your blessings and promises in Christ Jesus:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to fill our souls with the peace and love of God,
that when you call us to walk through the valley and shadow of death,
we may fear no evil but fall gently asleep in Jesus
and wake up in the glory of your presence:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

Son of God, we pray, hear us
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.

Almighty God, you accept the penitence and confession of the contrite that they may share in your mercy and live. Be merciful and gracious to us, forgive us all our sins, establish us in your grace, grant us the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from A Morning Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 296-298.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany for the Dying (1)

O God, the Father in heaven:
Have mercy on us.
O God, the Son, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.
O God, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:
Have mercy on us.

Do not remember, Lord, our offences or the offences of our forefathers:
Spare us good Lord.

Spare your servant before you, whom you have redeemed with your precious blood:
Spare us good Lord.

From all evil and harm,
from the power of sin and the snares of the devil,
from your wrath,
and from everlasting damnation:
Good Lord, deliver him.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and passion,
by your precious death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
and by the coming of the Holy Spirit,
in the hour of death and in the day of judgment:
Good Lord, deliver him.

We sinners pray, hear us:
Son of God, we pray, hear us

That it may please you to uphold him with your free Spirit,
to grant him true repentance,
to forgive him all his sins,
to strengthen and confirm him in your grace,
and to beat down Satan under his feet:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

O Son of God, Redeemer of the world:
Hear us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on him.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on him.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Grant him your peace.

O Lord God, our heavenly Father, you have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that they turn from their ways and live. Regard this sick person with an eye of compassion. Do not let him be overwhelmed by any pains of body or any anguish of soul, but grant to him in this world your pardon and peace, and in the world to come life everlasting; through the abounding merits and the glorious mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from A Litany for the Dying, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 296-298.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany (Name of Jesus)

Lord, have mercy on us:
Have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us:
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us and grant us your peace:
Hear us and grant us your peace.

Jesus, the Son of the living God,
the eternal Word,
the brightness of the Father’s glory
and express image of his person:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the Son of Man,
conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
meek and humble of heart,
obedient unto death,
the example of all virtues,
the way, the truth, and the life:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the author of life,
the captain of salvation,
the eternal high priest,
the prince of peace:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the joy of angels,
the hope of the patriarchs,
the inspirer of the prophets,
the teacher of the apostles,
the strength of martyrs,
the King of saints:
Have mercy on us.

From all sin and evil,
from death and hell:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.

By your holy nativity and circumcision,
by your holy words and deeds,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your bitter cross and passion,
by your death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
by your sitting at the right hand of the Father Almighty,
and by your return to judge the quick and the dead:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Hear our prayers.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Grant us your peace.

Almighty God, you accept the penitence and confession of the contrite that they may share in your mercy and live. Be merciful and gracious to us, absolve us from all sin, establish us in your grace, grant us the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from An Evening Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 298-300.

This litany appears to be a shortened version of the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, which appeared in Italy in the early 1400s. That litany, along with the Latin original, can be found here: https://www.fisheaters.com/litanyholyname.html

This is the litany that is in the graphic of the open prayer book on this page and on our Facebook page.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany

O God the Father in heaven:
Have mercy on us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O God the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son:
Have mercy on us.

O holy blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God:
Have mercy on us.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers,
do not take vengeance on us for our sins.
Spare us, good Lord.

Spare your people whom you redeemed with your most precious blood,
and do not be angry with us forever:
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and harm,
from the power of sin and the snares of the devil,
from your wrath and from everlasting damnation:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart,
from pride, vain-glory and hypocrisy,
from envy, hatred, and malice, and all lovelessness:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all impure lusts and desires,
and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning, tempest, and earthquake,
from plague, pestilence, and famine,
from all disasters by land and by water,
from battle and murder, and from sudden death:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From tumult and riot,
from sedition and rebellion,
from heresy and schism,
from hardness of heart and contempt of your Word and authority:
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation,
by your holy nativity and circumcision,
by your baptism, fasting, and temptation:
Good Lord, deliver us.

By your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and passion,
by your precious death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
and by the coming of the Holy Spirit:
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation,
in all time of our wealth,
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment:
Good Lord, deliver us

We sinners pray, hear us, O Lord:
Son of God we pray, hear us.

That it may please you to keep us in all time of temptation and heaviness,
to comfort and help all the weak-hearted,
to lift up those who fall, and finally to beat down Satan under our feet:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to nurture, help, and comfort
all who are in danger, need, and trouble:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to preserve all travelers and strangers,
all women in the perils of child birth,
all sick persons and young children,
and to show your pity on all prisoners and captives:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to defend and provide
for the fatherless children and widows,
and all who are desolate and oppressed:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to have mercy on all people:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

O Son of God, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world:
Grant us your peace.

O God, merciful Father, you do not despise the sighing of a contrite heart or the desire of those who are sorrowful. Mercifully help us in all our troubles and adversities whenever they oppress us. Graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or humanity work against us, may be brought to nothing by your will and purpose, that we your servants, may be hurt by no persecutions, and may evermore give thanks to you in your holy Church, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

O God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us from the fear of our enemies, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Modified from The Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 21-24.

This Litany is very similar to the German litanies by Martin Luther and in the Saxon Agenda of 1540, which were shortened versions of the Litany of the Saints. The Litany of the Saints, along with the original Latin, can be viewed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_of_the_Saints

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

Enlighten Us and Give Us Our Sure Hope

O Lord, our Light and our Salvation,
remove the darkness of sorrow and ignorance.
Enlighten us with true wisdom,
and give us our sure hope in you;
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
we worship and glorify you,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 23 #3 (Lent 4)

“O Lord, our Light and our Salvation” is a reference to Psalm 27:1

“remove the darkness of sorrow and ignorance” may be a reference to Isaiah 9:2

“Enlighten us with true wisdom” is a reference to Psalm 19:8, Ephesians 1:18,

“and give us our sure hope in you” is a reference to Psalm 33:22, Psalm 39:7

The Annunciation of Our Lord

Nine months before Christmas, March 25 is observed as the Annunciation of Our Lord.

bartolomc3a9_esteban_murillo_the_annunciation O Christ,
Word of God Most High,
you were made flesh
that you might dwell among us.
Pour your grace
into our hearts and minds
that we who have been redeemed
by the Mystery of your Incarnation
may forever dwell with you;
through your mercy,
O Christ our God,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
you live and reign,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881.

Confession and Absolution

Most holy and merciful Father,
we acknowledge and confess in your presence
our sinful nature
which is quick to do evil and slow to do good,
and all our shortcomings and offenses against you.
You alone know how often we have sinned,
in wandering from your ways,
in wasting your gifts,
in forgetting your love.
O Lord, have pity on us.
We are ashamed and sorry for all things
in which we have displeased you.
Teach us to know our errors,
cleanse us from our secret faults,
and forgive our sins
for the sake of your dear Son, our Savior.
O most holy and loving Father,
send your Holy Spirit into our hearts
that we may henceforth live in your light
and walk in your ways
as we follow your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hear the gracious words of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who truly repent and turn to him:

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)

The grace of our Lord Jesus + Christ be with you all. Amen.

Source: Modified from The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, editor, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 3-4.

“Teach us to know our errors,” original has “teach us to hate our errors.” Change was made to better reflect Psalm 19:12.

“send your Holy Spirit into our hearts,” original has “send Thy purifying grace into our hearts.”

“as we follow your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” original has “According to the commandments of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Graces from the Book of Common Worship (1906)

The Lord make us grateful for all his mercies, and add his blessing, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Almighty God who provides for us, nourish our souls with the Bread of Life in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bless us, O Lord, as we bless you when we receive your gift of daily bread. Amen.

The Lord bless this food to our use and us to his service. Amen.

Lord, help us to receive all good things as from your hand and to use them to your praise. Amen.

Heavenly Father, make us thankful to you and mindful of others as we receive these blessings, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Father in heaven, sustain our bodies with this food, our hearts with true friendship, and our souls with your truth, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Source: Slightly modified from “Forms of Grace before Meat,” The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, editor, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 167.

Another prayer, “Lord Jesus, be our holy Guest” has been given its own page.

Offering Prayers

O Lord, stir up the wills of your faithful people, that those who have freely received your blessings may give from your blessings; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [1]

Source: Freely modified from Bishop John Dowden, 1840-1910

Most merciful and gracious God, we have all received the gifts of your goodness. Receive this offering of your people and follow it with your blessing, that it may be used to spread peace and good will among all people and advance the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [2]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 7.

All gracious God, in your infinite love you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and rise again for our justification, and have made us partakers of the divine nature through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receive the offering we present to you and grant that our bodies, souls and spirits may be living sacrifices to you, holy and pleasing in your sight, and that we may go forth in your strength to freely serve you in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 16.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son once offered up himself on the cross once for all. Accept this our spiritual act of worship of praise. O Lord, we offer and present ourselves, our souls and bodies to be a holy and living sacrifice acceptable to you through Jesus Christ your Son. [4]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 37

Short Offering Prayers

Lord Jesus, our heavenly King, grant that the closer we draw to Judgment Day the more sharply we may recognize and acknowledge the claim—the blood-bought claim—which you have on our whole lives. [1]

Jesus, our only Savior, grant that the gifts we bring you each week may more and more get to show that we are just as diligent and just as interested in the Lord’s business as we are in our own business. [2]

Dear Savior, you have taught us: “A man’ s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Teach us to realize more and more that happiness in life does not depend on the number of things we can call our own. Rather, Jesus, help us to find joy in the uses that we as stewards make of the money you’ve placed in our hands. [3]

Dear Savior, grant that the gifts we bring you each week may not be evidence of a weak and undernourished faith, but of a healthy faith; a faith that is growing in the lovely grace of Christian liberality. [4]

Heavenly Father, fill the heart of every member of ______________Congregation with your deep concern for lost souls; with your Son’s spirit of willing sacrifice; and with your Holy Spirit’s power to spread the Gospel far and near.[5]

Majestic Lord, accept these little gifts which we have laid on your altar. Grant that bringing these gifts may have brought real joy to the heart of the givers. Grant that these gifts may bring joy to the heart of the Savior, to whom they have been given. [6]

Heavenly Father, grant that the gifts we have placed on your altar this morning may be an accurate expression of the deep appreciation we feel toward the only Savior we’re ever going to have. [7]

Heavenly Father, grant that the gifts we have placed on your altar this morning may be an accurate expression of the deep appreciation we feel toward our only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Modified from [7] above.)

Dearest Savior, grant that our offering may show that we remember what many seem to forget—that real happiness does not come by acquiring and possessing, but by giving and serving. [8]

Lord of all, again this morning we saw how your fatherly heart toward us is laid bare in Jesus Christ. Grant that the gifts we bring you each week may give evidence that your love is producing fruit in us, leading us to respond to you as the Lord of our lives. [9]

Dear Savior, help us to believe that when you ask us to worship you with our gifts this is not just a business proposition, and surely not an invasion of our privacy, but rather an exercise of our faith, and a fitting response to the mercy you have shown us. [10]

Dear Savior, we thank you for giving us your love and also the means to share your love with others. [11]

Lord Jesus, purify our love for you, and strengthen our resolve to give you first place in our lives in the week just ahead. [12]

Lord of all, forgive us for so often arguing with your claim on our lives. Accept these gifts as evidence of our determination today to accept your guidance and your help, as you seek to equip us for the life of service to which you have called us. [13]

Jesus, in faith today I give you my head, my heart, and my hands. Please use me this week. [14]

John-Jeske-1419607459[1] Source: Professor John C. Jeske (1924-2014), from his essay: “Christian Stewardship Is Taking God At His Word” available at this link from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary essay file: http://wlsessays.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/2367/JeskeChristian.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y