Category: Prayers of the Middle Ages (Potts)

For Christ’s Servants Everywhere

O God of infinite mercy and boundless majesty,
no distance can separate those you care for
from your love.
Be with your servants everywhere
who confide in you,
and wherever they go,
be their guide and companion.
Let nothing harm them,
and no difficulty oppose them.
Make all things turn out happily and prosperously for them,
that with your help,
whatever they ask for according to your will,
they quickly receive;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, fifth century. Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, ed. J. Manning Potts.

 

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A Benediction

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May our Lord + Jesus Christ
be near you to defend you,
within you to refresh you,
around you to preserve you,
before you to guide you,
behind you to justify you,
above you to bless you;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Source: 10th Century manuscript, from The New Ancient Collects, #575, (Bright’s Ancient Collects, p. 193.3)

In Bright’s Ancient Collects, this was printed as a prayer with this ending:

…above you to bless you;
who lives and reigns
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Never Let Us Wander into Darkness

File:Solar eclipse 1999 4.jpgJesus our Master,
walk with us on the road
as we yearn to reach the heavenly country,
so that following your light,
we may stay on the way of righteousness
and never wander in the horrible darkness of this world’s night
while you, the way, the truth, and the life,
are shining within us.

Source: Mozarabic Rite, from The New Ancient Collects, #289, also in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

 

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In Your Great Mercy Set Us Free

comeuntomeO God,
you are the author of love,
and you love pure peace and affection.
Heal the diseases of all Christians who are sick,
and in your great mercy set free
all who are terrified by fears,
afflicted by poverty,
weary with trouble,
worn down by illness,
burdened with punishment,
and all prisoners and wanderers.
Show them your compassion daily,
lift them up, correct them,
and protect them.

Source: Gallican Sacramentary, freely modified from  Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 122#1. Also in  Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

 

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Fulfill Us with Your Mercy

Fulfill us, O Lord,
in this hour of the day,
with the abundance of your mercy
that we may go on our way rejoicing,
and may delight in your praises all the day long;
through Jesus Christ
your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Slightly modified from Sarum Psalter, Prime

Variant:

O Lord,
in this hour of this day
fill us with your mercy,
that we may rejoice throughout the whole day
and delight in your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. Also in Bright’s Ancient Collects. (New Ancient Collects, #36)

 

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A Prayer for Love

O blessed Lord, you have commanded us to love one another. Just as we have received your undeserved blessings, may we love everyone in you and for you.

We ask your kindness for all, but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. Love them, O fountain of love, and move them to love you with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do only those things which are pleasing to you.

Our prayer is cold, because our love is so feeble, but you are rich in mercy. Do not measure your goodness to them by the dullness of our devotion, but as your kindness surpasses all human affection, so let your hearing transcend our prayer. Do what is best for them, according to your will, that being ruled and protected by you always and everywhere, they may receive eternal life in the end; to you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

Variant:

O blessed Lord, who hast commanded us to love one another, grant us grace that having received thine undeserved bounty, we may love everyone in thee and for thee. We implore thy clemency for all; but especially for the friends whom thy love has given to us. Love thou them, O thou fountain of love, and make them to love thee with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do those things only which are pleasing to thee.

 

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A Litany for Mercy

Turn away, Lord, the fierceness of your anger, and in pity spare your people,
and have mercy.

Grant a favorable and speedy answer to the prayers of all,
and have mercy.

Christ, look on our hardships, loosen the bands of death, and grant us life,
and have mercy.

See our tears, hear our sighs, and in pity forgive our sins,
and have mercy.

Though none of us are worthy to be heard, Christ, for your own sake, help us,
and have mercy.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary

Source of this version: Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years,  J. Manning Potts, Ed. Nashville, Tennessee: The Upper Room, © 1954 (Public domain in the U.S.)

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Litany for Forgiveness

We cry to you, Lord, have mercy on us,
and forgive us.

King of heaven and eternal Lord, receive the prayer we pour out before you,
and forgive us.

Visit the sick, release the captives, help the widow and the orphan,
and forgive us.

We have sinned and have turned from you. Redeemer of all, save us,
and forgive us.

Have mercy on the penitent, and wash away the stains of sin,
and forgive us. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary

Source of this version: Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years,  J. Manning Potts, Ed. Nashville, Tennessee: The Upper Room, © 1954 (Public domain in the U.S.)

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A Litany on the Passion (2)

Good Shepherd, you laid down your life for the sheep, remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

Everlasting Power and Wisdom of the most high God, Word of the Father, remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

Maker of the world, the Life of all, the Lord of angels, remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, for us you were led as a sheep to the slaughter, remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

You were seized, guiltless, buffeted, given over to murderers, remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

By your death you overcome the death of our guilt,  remember us:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.  Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary, 593

Source of this version: Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years,  J. Manning Potts, Ed. Nashville, Tennessee: The Upper Room, © 1954 (Public domain in the U.S.)

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A Litany on the Passion (1)

Show us your mercy, O Lord. Grant pardon, grant forgiveness:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

You came to save the world. You were brought to judgment. When you come as Judge, do not deliver us up with the ungodly:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

You hung on the Cross, and bore on your shoulders the death we deserved for our guilt:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

You suffered for the ungodly, and cannot die again. Put to death our vices in us, and heal us by your wounds from the Cross:
Be gracious and have mercy on us.

That in the judgment your face may not be turned on us for punishment, but may shine on us with pardon:
Be gracious and have mercy on us. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary, 576

Source of this version: Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years,  J. Manning Potts, Ed. Nashville, Tennessee: The Upper Room, © 1954 (Public domain in the U.S.)

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