A Collection of Prayers

Forgive, Correct, Subdue, Free

O Lord our God,
forgive our sins
and correct our errors.
Direct our actions,
and inspire us
with thoughts that please you.
Cleanse our consciences,
and sanctify our hearts.
Subdue the old man in us to the new,
and the new man to yourself,
so that, triumphing over all vices,
we may, with increasing freedom,
serve you, our Lord and God;
who lives and reigns,
one God,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

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. 95 #1

In the translation from Leffingwell, “Subdue the old man… reads “subduing the flesh to the spirit, and the spirit to Thyself.”

Purify, Instruct and Console

missale_romanum_glagolitice Almighty everlasting God,
do not rebuke us in your anger,
but purify, instruct,
and console us with your boundless mercy,
and consider the weakness of our mortal nature.
Just as we are not able to please you without you,
we may be holy by your grace alone;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Gregorian Rite

An Epiphany Prayer

bartolomc3a9_esteban_murillo_-_adoration_of_the_magi_-_google_art_project O Lord,
enlighten your people,
and ever kindle their hearts
with the splendor of your grace,
that the nativity of the Savior of the world,
once shown by a star,
may ever more and more be revealed to our minds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Ambrosian Rite

A Sarum Christmas Prayer

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction O Dayspring,
Splendor of the eternal Light
and Sun of Righteousness!
Come and enlighten
those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death.
O King of Gentiles,
you whom they long for,
and Cornerstone that makes all one,
Come and save humanity
which you have formed
out of the clay.

Source: Sarum Rite

An Advent Prayer

Advent 1

Rise in our hearts,
Sun of Righteousness,
and enlighten us with the brightness of your coming,
that we who rejoice in the word of your promise,
may not be ashamed when you come again in glory;
through the mercy of our God,
who is blessed,
and lives and rules all things.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Source of this version: Freely 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. 90 #3

For a Pastor

old_sarum_cathedral_reconstruction O God,
Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful,
look graciously upon your servant, ______,
whom you have chosen to watch
over your church in this place.
Grant that both by word and example
he may profit those in his care,
so that, together with the flock committed to him,
he may obtain eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Sarum Rite

Glory in the Highest

Lord Jesus Christ,
to you glory is sung in the highest,
while peace on earth is proclaimed to men of good will.
Give good will to us your servants,
cleanse us from all our sins,
and grant constant peace to us and to all people;
through your mercy, O our God.
You are blessed,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite

Our Hope and Our Heart’s Delight

littlemore O God,
you are life, wisdom, truth,
bounty, and blessedness,
the eternal, the only true good,
our God and our Lord,
our hope and our heart’s delight,
we acknowledge with thanksgiving
that you have made us in your image,
and that we may direct our thoughts to you.
Lord, make us to know you aright,
that we may love, enjoy, and possess you
more and more;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Anselm of Canterbury, d. 1109

Joy and Gladness

girolamo_savonarola Let me hear joy and gladness
when I hear what the sinful woman heard.
And what did she hear?
I speak of her who wept at your feet.
What, then, did she hear?
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
And I will hear what the robber heard:
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
I will have joy in the forgiveness of sins;
gladness for the promise of blessings.
And will I not rejoice,
and will I not be glad,
when you grant pardon for all my sins ?
Then I will begin to taste of joy,
for you, Lord, are good.
Then will I learn to dwell in heavenly places.
Then will I say with the prophet,
“How abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you.”
Then will I rejoice and be glad.

Source: Girolamo Savonarola

“Let me hear…” is a reference to Psalm 51:8

“…what the woman heard… go in peace” is a reference to Luke 7:38-50 (Savonarola connects the sinful woman with Mary Magdalene, which is a traditional connection. It is not specifically stated in the Bible that Mary Magdalene is the “sinful woman.”)

“robber… paradise” is a reference to Luke 23:43

“taste of joy” may be a reference to Psalm 34:8

“since you are good…” may be a reference to Psalm 25:7

“How abundant… fear you” is a reference to Psalm 31:19

Deliver Us from Evil

O God of peace and charity,
deliver us from all temptation,
assist us in every conflict,
console us in every trouble.
Give us patience in adversity,
and grace to worship you with a pure conscience,
and to serve you with all our strength.
We bless you, we thank you, day by day we magnify you.
Let our praises be pleasing to you,
and our prayer acceptable.
Amen.

Source: Gallican Missal