Prayers of the Middle Ages (Potts) – Page 8

Confession

O blessed Spirit of Truth,
you search the heart and test the inmost thoughts,
help me remember my sins,
and let me see them in your light.
Strengthen me also with courage to confess them truly,
hiding nothing, excusing nothing,
keeping back nothing in my heart.
In your mercy, pardon and absolve,
and thus heal me,
that I may arise and sin no more,
through the merits and for the sake
of Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Savior. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

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

A Good Example

O Lord,
make us flourish like pure lilies
in the courts of your house,
and make us display to your people
the fragrance of good works
and the example of a godly life;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (The New Ancient Collects, #282)

Litany Prayer for True Worship

O God,
you have commanded us to worship you in spirit and in truth.
Overshadow us with the power of your Holy Spirit.
Let your mercy and the gracious promise of your salvation come to us,
that our prayer may be directed to you by Christ,
through whom our sins are forgiven.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

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

For Rulers and the Nations

O heavenly Father,
we bend the knee before you on behalf of all kings,
princes, and governors of this world.
By your inspiration,
move them to rule in righteousness,
to rejoice in peace,
to shine in piety,
and to labor for the well-being of the people committed to them,
so that, by the rectitude of the government,
all faithful people may live without disturbance
in the knowledge of you,
and work without hindrance for your glory. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy, 7th Century

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

For Guidance and Protection

Lord, our redemption.
Be our protection.
Direct our minds by your gracious presence.
Watch over our paths
and guide us with your love
through the hidden snares of life.
Fix our hearts on you as we go forward,
that following in faith,
we may arrive at your goal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954, also in The New Ancient Collects, #292

For Perseverance

Look on us and hear us,
O Lord our God,
and help us to please you
as we do the work you have given to us.
As you have given the first act of will,
so give the completion of the work.
Give us strength to finish
what you have moved us to begin;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

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

For Sanctification

O Christ our God,
you will come to judge the world
in the humanity you have taken on yourself.
Sanctify us wholly,
that in the day of your coming
our whole spirit, soul, and body
may arise to a fresh life in you,
that we may live and reign with you forever,
to your honor and glory;
you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953. The New Ancient Collects, #54

For Rightful Recognition of God, “The Giver of All Good Things”

O God,
by making the evening to follow the day
you have given the gift of rest for human weakness.
Grant that as we enjoy your timely blessings,
we may acknowledge you
from whom they come;
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953. The New Ancient Collects, #32

For the Church

O God of our salvation,
hope of all the ends of the earth,
hear us.
In your strength,
the outposts of your power,
and strongholds of lofty virtues
are as firm as the mountains.
On you we rely for gifts of inspiration,
to ascend to the summit of all blessedness,
that your Church,
as it extends to all corners of the world,
may soar in faith, may rest in hope,
and rise to the full height of love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

For Heavenly Light

O God,
you are the well of life,
and in your light we see light.
Shine the light of your holy knowledge on us
and show us your flowing fountain.
Give our thirsty souls living water
and shine your light from heaven on our darkened minds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953. The New Ancient Collects, #176