Prayers of the Early Church (Potts) – Page 7

For Perseverance

I know, O Lord,
and with all humility acknowledge myself
altogether unworthy of your love.
But I am sure you are altogether worthy of mine.
I am not good enough to serve you,
but you have a right to the best service I can pay.
Impart to me some of that excellence,
that will supply my own lack of worth.
Help me to cease from sin against your will,
that I may render you service according to my duty.
Enable me so to guard and govern myself,
to begin and finish my course,
that when the race of life is run,
I may sleep in peace and rest in you.
Be with me to the end,
that my sleep may be rest indeed,
my rest perfect security,
and that security, a blessed eternity. Amen.

Source: Augustine of Hippo

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

Adoration

O good and omnipotent God,
you care for every one of us,
as if you cared for each alone,
and you care for all as if all were one!
Blessed is the one who loves you,
and who loves his friend in you,
and who loves his enemy for you.
For with you, we lose none dear to us,
to whom all are dear.
You, our God,
who made heaven and earth and fill them,
and by filling them you create them.
Your law is truth, and truth is yourself.
I see the things of this earth pass away,
and I see other things take their place,
but you remain forever.
Therefore, my God and Father,
to you I entrust all I have received from you,
for then, I can lose nothing.
You, O Lord,
have made me for yourself,
and my heart can find no rest
until it rests in you.
Amen.

Source: Augustine of Hippo, Fourth Century

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

For Light and Guidance

Eternal God,
uncreated and original Light,
Maker of all created things,
Fountain of pity, Sea of Bounty,
fathomless deep of Loving-Kindness,
lift up the light of your face on us!
Lord, shine in our hearts,
true Sun of Righteousness,
and fill our souls with your beauty.
Teach us always to remember your judgments,
and to speak of them,
and own you continually as our Lord and Friend.
Govern the works of our hands by your will,
and lead us in the right way,
that we may do what is pleasing and acceptable to you,
that through us unworthy people your holy name may be glorified.
To you alone be praise and honor and worship eternally. Amen.

Source: St. Basil, 4th Century

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

For Those Gathered in Worship

O Lord God,
you taught us to pray together
and have promised to hear
even two or three calling on your name.
Lord, hear the prayers of your servants.
Give us knowledge of your truth and salvation,
and in the world to come,
give us life eternal;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Source: Armenian liturgy, fourth century.

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

For Freedom from Sin

O Lord, my Savior,
you have the power to remit sins.
Say to me, “Be loosed from your chains,
come out of the bonds of your sins.”
When you say it,
loosen those cords of my errors that ensnare me.
I am the most wicked of all people,
and should be despised because of continuing in sins,
but when you command,
I will be free from them. Amen.

Source: Ambrose, d. 397

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

For Trust and Fuller Knowledge

Merciful Lord,
Comforter and Teacher of your faithful people,
increase in your Church the desires you have given.
Strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you,
and show them the depth of your promises.
Lead all your adopted children to see with the eyes of faith,
and help them wait patiently for the light that is now hidden;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Ambrose, d. 397

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

For Ministers

O God,
you are great in power,
unsearchable in understanding,
and wonderful in your plans for us.
Fill your servant with the gift of the Holy Spirit
that he may stand before your holy altar blameless,
to announce the gospel of your kingdom,
to administer the Word of your truth,
to offer gifts and spiritual sacrifices to you,
and to renew your people in the font of rebirth,
that when your only Son,
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, comes again,
by your mercies he will receive your reward;
for your holy and majestic name is blessed and glorified.

Source: Eastern Church Liturgy, third century

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

For Friends and Relatives

Have mercy, O Lord,
on all those tied with us in the bonds of friendship and family,
and grant that they, with us,
may be so perfectly conformed to your holy will,
that being cleansed from all sin,
we may be found worthy,
by the inspiration of your love,
to be partakers together of the blessedness of your heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Old Gallican Sacramentary

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

For Light

O God of Light, Father of Life,
Author of grace, Creator of worlds,
Giver of Wisdom, Benefactor of our souls,
Treasure of holiness, Teacher of pure prayers,
you give the fainthearted who put their trust in you
things into which angels long to look.

O Sovereign Lord,
you have brought us up from the depths of darkness to light,
you have given us life from death,
you have graciously given us freedom from slavery,
and you have scattered the darkness of sin within us.

Enlighten the eyes of our understanding,
that we may partake of this heavenly and immortal food
without fear of condemnation,
and sanctify us completely in soul, body, and spirit,
that with your holy disciples and apostles
we may say this prayer to you:
Our Father… Amen.

Source: Liturgy of St. Mark, third century.

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

For Blessings

Lover of mankind,
bless all your people,
the flocks of your fold.
Send the peace of heaven into our hearts,
and grant us also peace in this life.
Give life to our souls,
and let no deadly sin prevail against us,
or any of your people.
Deliver all who are in trouble,
for you are our God.
You set the captives free,
you give hope to the hopeless,
and help to the helpless.
You lift up the fallen,
and you are the Haven of the shipwrecked.
Give your pity, pardon,
and refreshment to every Christian soul,
whether in affliction or error.
Preserve us in our pilgrimage through this life
from hurt and danger,
and grant that we may end our lives as Christians,
pleasing to you and free from sin,
and that we may have our portion and lot with all your saints. Amen.

Source: Liturgy of St. Mark, third century.

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