A Collection of Prayers

September 26

Lord, set my soul on you. Do not let me weary myself with the cares, anxieties, and harassment of this life, for I hope to live in your eternal love. Do not let me be anxious about anything, but be confident in your love, and in your Spirit’s loving work in me. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, be our refuge from the storm, our shadow from the heat. When we are safe in your arms, we are sometimes foolishly timid. Help us overcome our unbelief, and in your tenderness assure us of your protection. You make all things work together for good to those who love you. Do not let troubles injure our souls. Do not let sorrow wear out our hearts. Amen.

Source: Hunter’s Devotional Services, 1892, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 25

God, in your great love for this world you reconciled earth to heaven through your only Son. By the darkness of our sins we are often turned aside from brotherly love. Let your light shine in our souls and fill us with your own sweetness. Embrace our friends in you and our enemies for your sake, and bind us together in mutual affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic before A.D. 700, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, strengthen and support all who are unjustly accused or undervalued. Comfort them with the constant thought that you know the whole truth, and in your own good time you will make their righteousness shine like light. Give them grace to pray for those who do them wrong, and hear and bless them when they pray. Amen.

Source: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 24

With confidence in your goodness and mercy, Lord, I come to you, as a sick person to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a creature to the creator, a desolate soul to my own tender comforter. All I can desire is in you. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength. Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Source: Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, you cleanse us from all sin. Comfort us who faithfully call on you. Blot out our transgressions and restore us from death to the land of the living; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary, A.D. 1085, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 23

Loving Lord, prepare a place for yourself in my heart. Empty my heart of every feeling, thought, emotion, desire, purpose, anxiety, hope, fear, which may interfere with your love. Open my heart to receive you, let nothing shut you out, and let nothing be shut to you. You alone can prepare my heart for yourself. Cleanse me by your Spirit that I may love you, be filled with you, enlightened, and warmed by you. Dwell in me forever. Amen.

Source: Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Look on me, Lord, and pity me. Make me yours and let me remain yours forever. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Thomas Wilson (1663–1755), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 22

Lord, keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from speaking lies. As your holy angels always sing your praises in heaven, may we always glorify you on earth. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Into your hands of blessed protection and unspeakable mercy, Lord, I commend this day my soul and my body, with all the faculties, powers, and actions of them both. Always be with me. Direct, sanctify, and govern me in the ways of your laws, and in the works of your commandments; that, through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, I may be preserved in body and soul, to serve you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Private Devotions, 1560, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 21

We awake, and we are still with you, most merciful God. Your protecting hand is over us. Be the desire of our hearts and the ruler of our thoughts. Heavenly Father, our source of strength, give us your love and peace. We do not know what may happen today, whether trouble, temptation or sorrow. You watch over our paths. You can shield our senses from temptation. Give us a correct sense of duty, shield us in all conflict, and guard us against sin and death. Lead us not into temptation, or when we are tempted, deliver us from evil.

Source: Rowland Williams (1818-1870), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 20

Lord, remember all for good. Have mercy on all, O God. Remember all who are in any affliction, trouble, or agony, who stand in need of your mercy and help, all who are in need or distress, all who love or hate us.

You, Lord, are the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Savior of all who are tossed with tempests, the Harbor of those who sail. Be All to all. May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Lord, stay within me to strengthen me, beside me to keep me, above me to protect me, beneath me to uphold me, before me to direct me, behind me to keep me from straying, round about me to defend me. Blessed are you, Lord our Father, forever and ever. Amen.

Source: Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 19

God, since you are love, whoever does not love you or his brothers does not know you and remains in death. Deliver us from injustice, envy, hatred, and malice. Teach us to pardon all who have offended us, and to be patient with one another, even as you, Lord, are patient with us, in your compassion and love. Amen.

Eugene Bersier (1831-1889), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, you are the author of love and the lover of pure peace and affection. Free all who are terrified by fears, afflicted by poverty, harassed by troubles, worn down by illness. Show them your tender love, raise them up in a renewed life, and support them with your daily compassion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gallican Sacramentary, A.D. 800, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 18

Almighty God, you have caused the light of eternal life to shine on the world. Kindle your heavenly desires in our hearts and spread abroad your love by your Holy Spirit, that we may always seek the things which are above. Purify our hearts and minds and bring us at last to your eternal kingdom, to dwell in the glorious light of your presence, now and forever. Amen.

Book of Prayers, 1851, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, your never-failing providence orders all things in heaven and earth. Put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gelasian, A.D. 492, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 17

Dearest Lord, send me your Holy Spirit to help me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Provide ways out of temptation so that I can endure it, and give me your blessed freedom, freedom from self and sin, and the enjoyment of that communion with you.

Lord, pour out the fullness of your grace on all I love, spread abroad your love into the hearts of those dearest to me, and draw them near to yourself, that those who know you in part may see the full beauty and truth that is in you. So glorify your name, and make your love complete in them, that your servants may praise your mercy forever. Amen.

Adapted from Maria Hare (1798-1870), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.