O God,
you rule over your people with fatherly love.
Give the spirit of wisdom
to all who have received authority of government from you,
that the welfare of your people
may turn to the eternal joy of their shepherds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God,
in wonderful ways
you created and redeemed mankind.
Give us steadfast minds
to resist the allurements of sin
that we may attain the joys of eternal life.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God,
your nature and property
is always to have mercy and to forgive.
Receive our humble petitions.
Even though we may be tied and bound with the chain of our sins,
let your great pity and mercy loose us;
for the honor of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, and Advocate. Amen.
Source: Gregory the Great
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
Almighty God,
with Fatherly tenderness
receive those who flee from your anger,
that those who dread the scourge that comes from your majesty
may rejoice in your forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O Lord,
shine your light into our hearts
that we may see the light of your commandments,
walk in your way and fall into no error;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God of hope,
you are the true light of the faithful,
the perfect brightness of the blessed,
and the true light of your Church.
Grant that our hearts may humbly pray to you
and always offer you our praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O Lord,
let your mercy be upon us,
and let the brightness of your Spirit
illumine our inward souls,
that he may kindle our cold hearts
and enlighten our dark minds;
who abides with you in glory forever.
Amen.
Source: Mozarabic collect.
Source of this version: Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, also in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.
Raise up your power and deliver us,
O Lord our God.
When we are overwhelmed by the storms of temptation
raise us up by your strength.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Breviary. Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, ed. J. Manning Potts.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the inexpressible joy of Christians,
take away from us whatever is not yours,
and make us yours in all things.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Breviary. Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, ed. J. Manning Potts.
O our Lord and God,
enlighten our meditations
that we may hear and understand
your life-giving and divine commands.
Through your grace and mercy
assure us of your love, hope,
and salvation of soul and body,
and we shall sing to you
everlasting glory forever,
O Lord of all. Amen.
Source: Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles, fifth century.
Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, ed. J. Manning Potts.
From Potts’ edition:
Enlighten, O our Lord and God, the movements of our meditations to hear and understand the sweet listenings to Thy life-giving and divine commands; and grant unto us through Thy grace and mercy to gather from them the assurance of love, and hope, and salvation suitable to soul and body, and we shall sing to Thee everlasting glory without ceasing and always, O Lord of all. Amen.
A Collection of Prayers 