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.
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.
You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
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.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Resurrection and the Life, and through your victory you have brought us eternal righteousness, joy, and holiness. As you have promised, we pray, bring us a joyful resurrection to life and a homecoming in the eternal paradise of our Father’s kingdom. You, Jesus, are arisen from death, and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
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 the Te Deum Laudamus. Closing collect is translated and adapted from Prayer for the Order of Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 758.
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
Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give praise and thanksgiving to God, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is in heaven.
It is good and right so to do.
It is truly good and right, that we should always give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, everlasting Father, almighty God, … Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory.
Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hagios, Hagios, Hagios, Kyrie ho Theos. (Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God.)
Truly holy and blessed are you,
O God the Father almighty,
for you sent your only Son
to take on himself our nature
and die for the sins of the whole world.
By his cross and passion,
he bore the burden of our sins
and made an end of atoning sacrifices
by that one offering of infinite worth.
Christ the Lord and eternal Redeemer,
the day before he suffered,
on the same night in which he was betrayed,
took bread into his holy and venerable hands,
and giving thanks, blessed, and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my + body, which is given for you.
Do this, as often as you eat it, for a commemoration of me.”
Amen.
Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying,
“This is the Cup of the New Testament in my + blood
which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, for a commemoration of me.”
Amen.
Doing this, most holy Father,
with these your holy gifts, which we now offer you, [1]
we show forth the death of your only-begotten Son,
by which we were redeemed,
as he commanded us to do
until he himself should come again,
remembering his glorious passion, resurrection, and ascension,
giving you most hearty thanks
for the innumerable benefits procured to us by the same.
And we most humbly pray that,
by the same Spirit by whom your blessed Son became incarnate for us,
the holy and undivided Trinity
would bless and sanctify these gifts and creatures of bread and wine,
that we, receiving them according to our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution,
may be made partakers of his most blessed body and blood.
Amen.
Graciously hear us, O holy Lord our God,
and through these your good gifts sanctified by you,
grant us, your unworthy servants, your blessing to life eternal.
Amen.
Source: From “Through Your Mercy, O Our God…” Prayers from the Mozarabic Church.
[1] In the early church, it was the custom for members of the church to present bread and wine as gifts to be used for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, which is the “offering” (offerimus) mentioned here. Note that the offering of the bread and wine are the only things spoken of as an offering on the part of worshipers or priest. Also, earlier it is noted that Christ “made an end of atoning sacrifices by that one offering of infinite worth.”
The Liturgy of Addai and Mari has been in continuous use in the Church of the East since at least the 7th century. Parts of it may be from as early as the fifth century. It is part of the Persian Rite, with roots in Nestorian Christianity. The version presented below includes the Words of Institution (Verba), but originally it did not, and so for many years it was questioned as a valid rite for use in the church. Parts of the eucharistic prayer are the basis of the Prayer of Thanksgiving in The Service: Setting Two in Christian Worship: Hymnal (2021).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forever.
Amen.
Lift up your hearts.
To you, O God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, O glorious King!
We bring this offering to God, the Lord of all.[1]
It is good and right.
Peace be with us.
Silent prayer by the priest.
O Lord,
give us sincerity before you
that with your boldness
we may accomplish this living and holy service
with our consciences cleansed from all evil and bitterness,
and plant within us love and peace
and concord toward one another
and toward all people.
The priest then rises and prays aloud, stretching out his hands:
Worthy of praise from every mouth,
worthy of confession from every tongue,
worthy of worship and exaltation from every creature
is your adorable and glorious name,
O glorious Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You created the world and all who live in it by your mercy,
and you saved humanity by your compassion,
and you give great grace to mortals.
Your majesty, O Lord,
thousands upon thousands on high bow down and worship,
and ten thousand times ten thousand holy angels and hosts of heaven,
servants of fire and spirit,
praise your name
with holy cherubim and spiritual seraphim
offering worship to your majesty,
shouting and praising without ceasing,
crying out to one another and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of his praises,
and the nature of his being,
and the excellency of his glorious splendor.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna to the Son of David.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Silent prayer by the priest.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of his praises,
and the nature of his being,
and the excellency of his glorious splendor,
even as I fill heaven and earth, says the Lord.
Holy are you, God the Father of truth,
from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named.
Holy are you, eternal Son,
by whom all things were made.
Holy are you, Holy Spirit,
by whom all things are sanctified.
I am doomed! I am ruined,
because I am a man with unclean lips,
and I dwell among a people with unclean lips,
and because my eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of hosts!
How awe-inspiring is this place,
for this day I have seen the Lord
face to face.
This is nothing other than the house of God,
and this is the gate to heaven.
And now, O Lord, let your grace be on us
and purge our uncleanness
and sanctify our lips
and blend our weak voices
with the hallowing of the seraphim
and the halleluiahs of the angels.
Praise be to your mercies
for you have made creatures of dust
partakers with spiritual beings!
The priest rises and says aloud:
Bless, O my Lord. Bless, O my Lord. Bless, O my Lord. My brothers, pray for me.
The priest continues:
With these heavenly hosts we give you thanks, O my Lord,
even though we your servants are weak and frail and miserable,
for you have given us great grace by taking on our human flesh
that you might enliven it by your divinity,
and have exalted our low estate,
restored our fall,
raised our mortality,
forgiven our trespasses,
justified our sinfulness,
and enlightened our knowledge.
Lord our God,
you have condemned our enemies
and have granted victory to the weakness of our frail nature
in the overflowing mercies of your grace.
[Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my + body, which is broken 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.”]
For all your help and grace toward us, let us give you praise and honor and confession and worship, now and forever.
Amen.
Pray in your minds. Peace be with us.
__________
Source: Liturgies Eastern and Western edited by F. E. Brightman, Oxford, Clearendon Press, 1896. The Persian Rite, and The Liturgy of the Nestorians, p. 283-286.
This version, prepared for www.acollectionofprayers.com, was freely modified for contemporary language, and to highlight the poetic nature of the content.
See also: https://acollectionofprayers.com/2016/07/01/worthy-is-your-glorious-name/
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy_of_Addai_and_Mari
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism
Note:
The Way of the Nativity is a set of fourteen devotions in the same spirit and style as the the ancient Christian devotion of the Way of the Cross. While there are several versions of the Way of the Nativity, there is no official or dominant one. The stations and Scripture selections presented here were prepared for A Collection of Prayers.
The versicle and response, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, …” is from the Christmas Day Gospel, John 1:14.
The prayers that follow each scriptural devotion are newly written for A Collection of Prayers. The first line of each prayer, “Jesus, brightness of your Father…” is taken from a hymn by Rhabanus Maurus, Tibi, Christe, splendor Patris.
Except where noted otherwise, Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version, www.wartburgproject.org.
All art is by James Tissot except for the ninth station. The illustration for the ninth station is by Guido Reni.
The readings, prayers and art are available as a downloadable pdf, printable as a booklet.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible for God.” Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26–38
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
calm our troubled hearts
with the word of your promise,
for nothing is impossible for you;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!” Luke 1:39–45
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
you have shown us your Father’s favor
by coming here to be our Savior.
Grant that we also may believe your promises,
and receive your blessings;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46–55 ESV
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
you have done mighty things
and looked with favor on us,
your lowly servants.
Help your servants
that we may remember your mercy
and magnify your holy name;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.” Matthew 1:18–25
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
you became like us in every way,
yet you were without sin.
Save us from our sins
through your pure and holy sacrifice;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. And everyone went to register, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. Luke 2:1–5
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
guide every event in our lives
for your highest purpose
and for our good,
until we arrive in your house,
and stand before your throne;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6–7
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
make room for yourself in our hearts,
that you may dwell there
until we dwell in heaven with you;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” Luke 2:8–14
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
show us your glory
that we may not be afraid,
but be amazed at your humility
and the hidden glory of your love;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Now let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child. And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:15–20
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
amaze us
with the good news of great joy,
and open our mouths
to tell all we have heard and seen;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
After eight days passed, when the child was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
you were given the name
that is above every name,
that name that means
Yahweh is Salvation.[1]
Reveal that name to us
that we may know you,
accept your truth,
and trust you;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be called holy to the Lord.”) And they came to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, Simeon took him into his arms and praised God. He said, Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2:22–32
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
you fulfilled all of the law,
so that you could be
our holy and righteous Savior.
Reveal your light to us,
be our glory,
and make us your new chosen Israel;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet: You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. Matthew 2:1–12
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
shine like the brightest star
in the darkness of this world
and in the darkness of our hearts.
Shepherd us, your people,
and receive our prayer, praise and worship;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
After the Wise Men were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod will search for the child in order to kill him.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod. This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13–15
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
as Israel lived in Egypt
until you led them out by Moses,
you lived in Egypt
until you could return in safety.
Bless and keep
all who live under the shadow of trouble,
and when the time is right,
lead them on;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Wise Men, he was furious. He issued orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under. This was in keeping with the exact time he had learned from the Wise Men. Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. Matthew 2:16–18
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
the darkness of this world
fills our hearts with pain
and our eyes with tears.
Wipe away all tears
and hold your promise before our eyes
that you have overcome the world;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
The + Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. The angel said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus, Herod’s son, had succeeded his father as ruler in Judea, he was afraid to go there. Since he had been warned in a dream, he went to the region of Galilee. When he arrived there, he settled in a city called Nazareth. So what was spoken through the prophets was fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:19–23
Jesus, brightness of your Father,
your heavenly and earthly fathers kept you safe,
even as the devil and the world
raged against you,
until the appointed time.
Keep us safe from all danger
until you finally deliver us from all evil
when you take us to yourself;
you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
[1] Jesus is the Greek form (Iesous) of the Hebrew name Joshua (Yeshua or Yehoshua) which is a combination of the divine name in the Old Testament (YHWH, sometimes rendered in English as Yahweh or Jehovah) and the Hebrew word for save.
Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version
Prayers are written for A Collection of Prayers, © 2021 Paul C. Stratman
Art is by James Tissot from his Gospel Harmony Series.
Art for the ninth station is by Guido Reni (1575-1642).
All images are in the public domain.
See also:
This is not the work of A Collection of Prayers, but a very useful and amazing project.
Someone has researched and compiled Scripture references behind every rite and prayer in The Book of Common Prayer. Here is their preface:
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is a landmark document of the Anglican tradition and the English language. Its unique rites, formulations, and collects are suffused with Biblical quotation and allusion.
This resource is a port of The Book of Common Prayer: With marginal references to texts in the Holy Scriptures published by the Church of England in 1839 (archive.org link), which aims to catalogue each scriptural reference in the text of the 1662 BCP.
Inline Biblical quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (BibleGateway link).
And here is the link to The Scriptural BCP.
A Collection of Prayers 