Prayers of the Middle Ages (Potts) – Page 12

Reveal Yourself to Us

johannes-scotus-erigena O God,
you are the everlasting essence of all things,
beyond space and time,
and yet within them.
You transcend and fill all things.
Show yourself to us,
who look for you and seek you
despite the shades of our ignorance.
Stretch forth your hand to help us.
Without you we cannot come to you.
Reveal yourself to us who seek nothing beside you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: John Scotus Eriugena

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. 47 #1

For Mercy

O Lord, you gave your apostles peace,
shed down on us all your holy calm;
gather together with your hand
all those who are scattered,
and bring them like sheep into the fold of your holy Church,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Strengthen and confirm me, O Lord, by your cross,
on the rock of faith,
that my mind be not shaken by the attacks of the enemy.
For you alone are holy.

You know, O Lord,
how many and great are my sins,
you know how often I sin,
from day to day,
from hour to hour,
in the things I do
and the things I leave undone.
No more, O Lord,
no more, O Lord my God,
will I provoke you.
No more shall my desire be for anything but you,
for you alone are truly lovable.
And if again I offend in anything,
I humbly ask your mercy
to grant me strength
to live in a manner more pleasing to you.
Amen.

Source: Theodore the Studite

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

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

For Pardon

800px-mathis_gothart_grc3bcnewald_007 O God, the Son of God–
so loving, yet hated–
so patient, yet beaten and killed–
and gentle and merciful to your persecutors;
by the the wounds of your passion
you have forgiven our sins.
As in your humiliation
you suffered death for us,
so now, in your glory,
bestow on us the everlasting brightness
of your grace.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

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

For the Loving Care of the Good Shepherd

stjohnsashfield_stainedglass_goodshepherd-frame_crop O Lord Jesus Christ,
good Shepherd of the sheep,
you came to seek the lost
and gather them to your fold.
Have compassion on those who have wandered from you.
Feed those who hunger,
make the weary lie down in your pastures,
bind up those who are broken in heart,
and strengthen those who are weak,
that we rely on your care,
find comfort in your love,
and abide in your guidance to our lives’ end;
for your name’s sake.
Amen.

Source: An Ancient Collect, Sixth Century

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

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

Pour the Gift of Love into Our Hearts

O God,
by the grace of the Holy Spirit
you poured the gift of love
into the hearts of your faithful people.
Give your servants __________, __________,
health of body and soul
that they may love you with all their strength,
and moved by love, do what pleases you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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

Graphic: Model of Old Sarum (Salisbury) Cathedral, Wikipedia.com

From Darkness to Light

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction

O Lord,
graciously enlighten our hearts
with your holy light,
that we may serve you without fear
in holiness and righteousness
all the days of our life.
Lead us out of the darkness of this world,
to the land of heavenly brightness;
through your mercy, O blessed Lord,
who lives and reigns over all things,
forever and ever.
Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite

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

Graphic: Model of Old Sarum (Salisbury) Cathedral, Wikipedia.com

You Wash Away Our Offences

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O Lord,
you wash away our offences.
Comfort us who call on you.
Blot out our transgressions,
and restore us
from the death of sin
to the land of the living;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary

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

The prayer is a reflection on Psalm 51

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.

For Brotherly Kindness

6069369723_ee697728eb_z_d O Lord,
pour on us the spirit
of brotherly kindness and peace.
Sprinkle us with the dew of your blessing,
and make us glad by your glory and grace;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

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

“Sprinkle us with the dew” is a reference to Psalm 133

Graphic: Page from an English Psalter, from Flickr, Walters Art Museum, Public Domain.