Category: Prayers of the Early Church (Potts)

To Witness for Christ

Grant, O merciful God,
that as your holy apostle St. James,
quickly leaving his father and all that he had,
was obedient to the call of your Son Jesus Christ,
and followed him,
and at last cheerfully laid down his life for his gospel’s sake,
so I, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections,
may always be ready to follow your holy commandments,
and whenever your providence will make it my duty,
may readily and cheerfully embrace death,
though armed with his utmost terror,
rather than forsake or deny you.
Let me rejoice in every happy occasion
to testify the sincerity of my love,
by suffering for your truth,
and let the firm belief of those glorious eternal rewards
which you have prepared for those who lay down their lives for your sake,
support me under all the cruelties of the most merciless persecutors.
Grant this,
O blessed Lord,
who died for me,
and rose again,
and now are seated at the right hand of the Father,
to intercede for me,
and all your faithful disciples. Amen.

Source: Liturgy of St. James, Second Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

 

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Purify Our Souls and Bodies

O God,
in your deep counsel
and foresight for humanity,
you sent your Son to heal the hearts of the weak[1]
and purify our souls and bodies.
You are the Savior of body and soul.
You are the loving bestower of eternal happiness!
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, fifth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953, also in The New Ancient Collects, #100.

[1] “sent your Son…” Original translation: “…hast appointed holy fasts, whereby the hearts of the weak might receive salutary healing…”

 

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For Light

O Lord,
incline your merciful ears to our prayers
and enlighten the darkness of our hearts
by the light of your visitation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, fifth century, Advent 3.

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953, also in The New Ancient Collects, #48.

 

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Intercession

Almighty God,
hear our prayers for all who sin against you,
or neglect to serve you,
all who forget you,
all who leave you out of their lives.
O Lord, have mercy on them.
Lead us all to true repentance
and an earnest longing for you.
Strengthen and confirm all your faithful people,
and lift up the light of your face on them,
always renewing in them heavenly desires;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: An Ancient Collect, fifth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

 

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For Light and Guidance

O Lord,
enlighten our hearts
by your holy radiance, Jesus Christ,
that we may serve you without fear
in holiness and righteousness
all the days of our life.
In him may we survive the storms of this world,
and by his guidance reach the country of eternal brightness;
through your mercy, O blessed Lord,
you live and govern all things,
now and forever. Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, fifth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

 

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For Refreshment

Almighty God,
hear our prayers
and pour on us your loving tenderness,
that we who are afflicted by our sins
may be refreshed by the advent of our Savior;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953. Also in The New Ancient Collects, #45.

 

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For Protection

O Lord,
hear our prayers
and prepare the way of your servants in safety under your protection,
that amid all the changes of this our pilgrimage,
we may ever be guarded by your almighty aid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

 

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For the Sorrowing

Almighty and eternal God,
the Comfort of the sad,
the Strength of sufferers,
hear the prayers of those who call to you in any trouble,
that they may rejoice to know
your mercy is with them in their afflictions;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, Good Friday

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953. Also in The New Ancient Collects, #382)

 

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A Morning Prayer

Almighty God,
you fill all things with your presence.
In your great love,
keep us near you this day.
Grant that in all our ways and doings
we may remember that you see us,
and may always have grace to know and perceive
what things you would have us do,
and give us strength to do the same;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: An Ancient Collect, fifth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

 

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