A Collection of Prayers

Prepare Our Hearts by Your Holy Spirit

Lord God, heavenly Father,
we thank you that through your Son Jesus Christ
you have sown your holy Word among us.
Prepare our hearts by your Holy Spirit
that we may diligently and reverently hear your Word,
keep it in good hearts
and bring forth fruit with patience.
Do not let our hearts incline to sin,
but subdue them by your power
and in all persecutions comfort us
with your grace and continual help;
through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Sexagesima

This revision/translation of The Collects of Veit Dietrich is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

You Have Called Us into Your Vineyard

Lord God, heavenly Father,
through your precious Word
you have called us into your vineyard.
Send your Holy Spirit into our hearts
that we may labor faithfully in your vineyard,
shun sin and all offense,
obediently keep your Word
and do your will,
and put our whole and only trust in your grace,
which you have poured on us generously
through your Son Jesus Christ,
that we may obtain eternal salvation through him;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God,
now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Septuagesima

Transfiguration

God,
in the glorious transfiguration of your only Son
you confirmed the mysteries of the faith
by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.[1]
In the voice that came from the bright cloud
you wondrously foreshowed our adoption as your children.
Mercifully make us heirs of glory with Christ,
and bring us at last to share that same glory with him;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Source: 15th Century, Historic Collect for Transfiguration

[1] Literally, “by the testimony of the fathers.”

Guide Us by Your Light

Merciful and eternal God, heavenly Father,
we thank you that you have revealed to us
the glory of your Son
and let the light of your Gospel shine on us.
We pray that you would guide us by this light
that we may walk diligently as Christians in all good works,
always be strengthened by your grace,
and conduct our lives in all godliness;
through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Transfiguration

Give Us Faith to Overcome Our Weakness

Lord God, heavenly Father,
in your special love and mercy
you gave us your Son
who became truly human
and died on the cross for us.
Pour your Holy Spirit into our hearts
that we may put all our trust in him,
just as the Centurion believed
that Christ would help his sick servant,
may we be assured
of the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.
We have your Word:
“Whoever believes in me will never see death.”
Dear Father in heaven,
grant that we may believe with no doubts in our hearts,
and remain in the faith until our last hour.

Almighty and eternal God,
mercifully look on our weaknesses,
and in all dangers and needs
defend us with your power against our enemies;
through Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Epiphany 3.

Send Your Blessing on Every Husband and Wife

Lord God, heavenly Father,
we thank you for instituting holy matrimony
to keep us from unchastity and other offenses.
Send your blessing on every husband and wife,
that they may not provoke each other to anger and strife,
but live peaceably together in love and godliness,
receive your gracious help in all temptations
and raise their children according to your will.
Move us all to walk before you in purity and holiness,
to put all our trust in you,
and lead holy lives on earth
and in the world to come enjoy eternal life;
through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Epiphany 2

You Have Established the Christian Home among Us

Lord God, heavenly Father,
in your mercy you have established
the Christian home among us.
Rule and direct our hearts,
that we may be good examples to children
and not offend them by Word or deed,
but faithfully teach them to love your Church
and hear your blessed Word.
Give them your Spirit and grace,
that this seed may bring forth good fruit,
so that our home life may lead others
to your glory, honor, and praise,
to our own improvement and welfare
and give offense to no one;
through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Epiphany 1

Source of this version: Modified from U. S. Book of Common Prayer (1928)