Christian Rite – Page 7 – A Collection of Prayers

The Blessing of a Nativity Scene

This rite is available as a pdf file here: the-blessing-of-a-nativity-scene

All gather around the nativity scene.

Our help is in the name of the LORD,
The Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³And everyone went to register, each to his own town. ⁴And 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. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

⁶And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And 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.

⁸There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! ¹⁰But 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: ¹¹Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” (EHV)

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.

Let us pray.
God of glory, when the set time had fully come, you sent your only Son to be born of the virgin Mary, and made the good news of great joy about his birth known to shepherds, who then spread abroad the news about the holy Child.

Bless us as we remember his birth. Speak to our hearts with the news of his birth, and continue to renew our faith with the peace of his gospel. Move us to respond and to share this good news with those around us with the message of your love reflected in our lives, and also in word, art and song; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

A Christmas carol reflecting on the birth of Christ may be sung.

All Scripture is from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. www.wartburgproject.com

Rites for the Lighting of an Advent Wreath

This set of rites for the lighting of an Advent wreath follows the thematic pattern used by many lectionaries for the Advent season: Readiness, Repentance, Rejoicing, and Christ Revealed in the Flesh. The third set of versicles in each rite emphasizes that it is Christ himself who makes his people ready by his Word and work. The rites are intended to be used after a general welcome and before the opening hymn. The rites may be used at other times in a worship service. The rubric “N Advent candle(s) is/are lit during the OPENING HYMN” may be adapted as needed. Please contact for any commercial usage.

CW.Advent 1

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Readiness”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

Our Savior Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
All will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

Christ himself has given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to make God’s people ready for works of service. (Ephesians 4:11)
He will strengthen our hands to do his work and open our lips to declare his praise. (Psalm 51:15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you strengthen us that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With Word and Sacrament, make ready our hearts. Make us ready to receive your Word and live by it daily. Make us ready to live our faith through love and service. And finally, make us ready to meet you face to face on the day your Son comes to judge the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

One Advent candle is lit during the opening hymn.
__________

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Repentance”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

John the Baptist called out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:2,3)

Christ himself has given us the power for repentance. By his holy life and innocent death he has conquered Satan and sin and is able to help us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
He reigns in our lives with his grace and bring us to eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your holy Word has called us to repent of sin and walk in your path of righteousness. For the sake of Jesus Christ, you have not quickly judged the world for sin, but have given all a time of grace, and a call to turn from evil ways. By the power of your Spirit, turn our hearts to you. Make us grow in our obedience to your Word. In Jesus, you have revealed to us your holy love. Move us to love one another as he has loved us, and to serve one another as if we were serving you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Two Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Rejoicing”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. (Isaiah 9:3)

Christ himself has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, shattering the yoke of sin that burdened us. (Isaiah 53:4)
He restores to us the joy of salvation and grant us willing spirits. By his stripes our weary souls are healed. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 53:5)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you give strength to the weary and pronounce blessings on those who mourn. You have sent us a Savior. You have made us your people. Fill our hearts with joy that flows from the forgiveness of our sins, joy powered by the resurrection of our living Savior, that we may shine like the stars of the heavens, bringing glory to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Three Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Christ Revealed in the Flesh”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Christ himself has come down from heaven, has become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and has become truly human.
He shared in our humanity. By his death destroyed the devil and the power of death, and freed us from fear and slavery forever. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son, our Savior, Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us. In him you have revealed yourself, your love, and your plan for all humanity. By his Word, make us ready for his coming. Keep our hearts repentant, constantly turning to your path of righteousness. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with your free Spirit; through him who came to give himself to us and to make us his own, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Four Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.

The Saxon Agenda of 1540

I have completed translation of The Saxon Agenda of 1540, also known as “Prince Henry’s Agenda.”

Follow this link to download a pdf of The Saxon Agenda of 1540

The original German Saxon Agenda of 1540 may be read here on Google Books.

Three Swedish Communion Prayers

When the administration of the holy meal is finished, the pastor turns to the congregation and says:

Let us pray.

Turning to the altar, the pastor offers one of the following thanksgiving collects:

We thank you, almighty Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ you have instituted this holy supper for our comfort and salvation. Grant us grace to celebrate the remembrance of Jesus on earth, that we may also be partakers of the great communion in heaven.
Amen.

or:

We thank you, almighty God, that through this precious meal of grace you have refreshed and satisfied us. Use it to increase our faith and advance us in godliness and all Christlike virtues; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

or:

O Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us to this communion. We humbly thank you for your mercy, that you have fed us here with your body and blood and filled and embraced us with your goodness. O Lord, be near us! We commit ourselves into your hands and put our trust in you. Let us abide with you forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Swedish Rite: a translation of “Handbok för svenska kyrkan” by Eric Esskildsen Yelverton, 1921, The Service of High Mass, p. 32

Go Forth into the World

Prayer Book Bible Reading Book Of Common Prayer

Go forth into the world in peace.
Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted.
Support the weak.
Help the afflicted.
Show love to everyone.
Love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer, 1892, 1928, modified.

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A Blessing

The power of the Father govern and protect me,
the wisdom of the Son teach and enlighten me,
the influence of the Holy Spirit renew and quicken me.
The blessing of the everlasting and all holy Trinity
be with me,
now and forevermore.
Amen.

Source: Unknown.

Source of this version: Modified from A Book of Prayers: Together with Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Ancient and Modern, Ed. Charles Leffingwell, Morehouse Publishing Company, 1921, p. 14 #2

“me” can be substituted with “us” or “you“

A Mozarabic Blessing (2)

May the infinite and glorious Trinity,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
direct our life in good works,
and after our passage through this world,
grant to us eternal rest with the righteous.
Grant this, O eternal and almighty God.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

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

A Blessing

The eternal and ever-blessed Father,
source of all light and life,
so fill us with his grace and heavenly benediction,
that + Christ who is the brightness of his glory
may dwell in us, and we in him,
both now and evermore.
Amen.

Source: Modified from A Book of Collects in Two Parts, John Wallace Suter and John Wallace Suter, Jr., Milwaukee: Morehouse Publishing, 1919.

A Personal Blessing

O Lord, open your heavens;
from there may your gifts descend to him.
Put forth your own hand and touch his head.
May he feel the touch of your hand,
and receive the joy of the Holy Spirit,
that he may remain blessed for evermore.
Amen.

Source: Æthelwold of Winchester, c. 908-984

Source of this version: Modified from http://www.dsbc.org.uk/downloads/June_2012_MAGAZINE_seq.pdf

Also found in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, p. 41

Blessing from the Book of Cerne

bookcerneevangalist God the Father bless me,
Christ guard me,
the Holy Spirit enlighten me,
all the days of my life!
The Lord be the defender and guardian
of my soul and my body, now and ever! Amen.
The right hand of the Lord preserve me always to old age!
The grace of Christ perpetually defend me from the enemy!
Direct, Lord, my heart into the way of peace.
Hasten to save me, O God!
O Lord, come quickly to help me!

Source: The Book of Cerne

Source of this version: Modified from http://assets.newscriptorium.com/collects-and-prayers/prmanual.htm

“Hasten…” is a reference to Psalm 70:1

Original in Latin:
Benedicat me deus pater
custodiat me christus
inluminet me spiritus sanctus
omnibus diebus vitae meae
Sit dominus defensor
Atttque custus animi mei et corporis mei et nunc et semper
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
dextera me domini conseruet semper ein aevum.
Direge domine cor meum in viam pacis.
…
Domine Deus in adjutorium meum intende domine ad adivuan meum adnuntiavit laudem tuam.

Prayer Book of Aedeluald the Bishop, Commonly Called the Book of Cerne, p. 101-102.

Illustration from the Book of Cerne, Cambridge University Library, wikipedia.com