Almighty and merciful God,
in your goodness keep us, we pray,
from all things that may hurt us,
that we, being ready both in mind and body,
may accomplish with free hearts
those things which belong to your purpose;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Book of Common Prayer 1979 (Proper 2).
Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com
Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your Name;
increase in us true religion;
nourish us with all goodness;
and bring forth in us the fruit of good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Book of Common Prayer 1979 (Proper 17).
Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and to give more than we either desire or deserve:
Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,
and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Book of Common Prayer 1979 (Proper 22).
Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com
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
Included in Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church, © 2018, Paul C. Stratman
God the Father bless me,
Christ guard me,
the Holy Spirit enlighten me,
all the days of my life!
The Lord be the defender and guardian
of my soul and my body, now and ever! Amen.
The right hand of the Lord preserve me always to old age!
The grace of Christ perpetually defend me from the enemy!
Direct, Lord, my heart into the way of peace.
Hasten to save me, O God!
O Lord, come quickly to help me!
Source: The Book of Cerne
Source of this version: Modified from http://assets.newscriptorium.com/collects-and-prayers/prmanual.htm
Included in Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church, © 2018, Paul C. Stratman
“Hasten…” is a reference to Psalm 70:1
Original in Latin:
Benedicat me deus pater
custodiat me christus
inluminet me spiritus sanctus
omnibus diebus vitae meae
Sit dominus defensor
Atttque custus animi mei et corporis mei et nunc et semper
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
dextera me domini conseruet semper ein aevum.
Direge domine cor meum in viam pacis.
…
Domine Deus in adjutorium meum intende domine ad adivuan meum adnuntiavit laudem tuam.
Prayer Book of Aedeluald the Bishop, Commonly Called the Book of Cerne, p. 101-102.
Illustration from the Book of Cerne, Cambridge University Library, wikipedia.com
May the strength of God pilot us.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the shield of God defend us.
May the host of God guard us
against the snares of evil
and the temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us.
Christ before us.
Christ in us.
Christ over us.
May your salvation, O Lord,
be always ours
this day and forever more.
Source: St. Patrick, from “St. Patrick’s Breastplate”
Source of this version: http://www.oursanctuary.net/breastplate.html
O Lord,
bless us with your heavenly benediction,
that rejoicing in your strength
and trusting in your loving kindness,
we may obtain a blessed immortality.
Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite
Source of this version: Prayers Ancient and Modern by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 275 #2
Similar to A Blessing
Graphic: Model of Old Sarum (Salisbury) Cathedral, Wikipedia.com
O God,
you are the strength of all who trust in you.
Grant that we may be more than conquerors
over all who make war on our souls,
so that in the end
we may enter into perfect peace in your presence.
Amen.
Source: Roman Breviary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 275 #2
“more than conquerors” is a reference to Romans 8:37
O God,
deliver us from earthly desires,
that no sin may reign in us,
but that with willing spirits we may serve you,
our only Lord;
through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 86 #2
“with willing spirits we may serve you” is possibly a reference to Psalm 51:12
Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com
O Lord,
give us all grace and strength
to overcome every sin.
Sins of aggression, purpose,
surprise, negligence, omission,
sins against you,
ourselves,
our neighbors,
sins great, small,
remembered, forgotten.
Amen.
Source: Christina G. Rosetti
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 81 #2
“Sins of aggression, purpose,” in the original is “sins of besetment, deliberation”
A Collection of Prayers 
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