A Collection of Prayers

Remembering September 11, 2001

Lord God, our heavenly Father,
you are high above all things,
holy beyond all that is holy,
good beyond all that is good.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you often told your disciples, “do not be afraid,”
and you also tell us, “Do not let your heart be troubled.”

Holy Spirit,
you create and strenghten faith
with Word and Sacrament,
communicating your promise
of life, peace, and forgiveness
to give us hope.

Today we remember the terrorist attacks on our country
twenty-five years ago.

Teach us to remember your goodness,
your consolation,
your promise,
that even in a broken world,
where people try to use fear and destruction
to bring about change,
we trust you,
and find our refuge,
peace,
and security
in you alone.

You live and reign, now and forever.
Amen.

Paul C. Stratman
September 11, 2026

September 11

My God, you are always new, even though you are most ancient. You alone are my food for eternity. I am to live forever; not for a time—and I have no power over my being. I must live on, with intellect and consciousness forever, despite myself. Without you, eternity would be another name for eternal misery. In you alone I have something to sustain me forever; you alone are the food of my soul. You alone are inexhaustible, and you always offer me something new to know, something new to love. And so, for eternity I will ever be like a little child starting to learn the basics of your infinite Divine nature. For you yourself are the seat and center of all good, and the only substance in this universe of shadows, and the heaven in which blessed spirits live and rejoice. Amen.

Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890), 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 10

Lord, I lay before you all sins and offences I have committed against you, from the day I first could sin to this very hour. Consume and burn them all with the fire of your love. Do away with all the stains of my sins, cleanse my conscience from all offences, restore to me your grace, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully give me your kiss of peace.

I also lay before you all that is good in me, for you have made me right and sanctified me. Make me grateful and accepting of you, always growing more and more. By your grace, bring me also to a good and blessed end. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), 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 9

Lord, give us grace to hear and obey your voice which says to every one of us “This is the way, walk in it.” Do not let us hear it behind us, saying, “This is the way,” but rather before us, saying, “Follow me.” When you lead us, go before us. When the way is too difficult for us, carry us. In the shadow of death, comfort us. In the day of resurrection, satisfy us. Amen.

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

Lord, sanctify and shepherd your people, that we who are strengthened by your help may walk with you daily, and serve you with a quiet spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 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 8

Good Lord, you alone do all things well. I cast myself on your infinite mercy. I trust you with my all, myself, and all I love, and all I desire, my present and my future, my hopes and my fears, my time and my eternity, my joys and my sorrows. Deal with me as you know best. Keep me safe in your eternal love. Amen.

Source: Treasury of Devotion, 1869, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, Fountain of all goodness, your tender mercies are over all your people, and you have compassion on all who fear you, just as a father pities his children. In the many changes and sorrows of this earthly life, grant us a patient acceptance of your will, and contentment under your promise. Amen.

Source: New Church Book of Worship, 1876, 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 7

Warm my cold heart, Lord. Form me after your own image. Give me grace to obey you in all things and to always follow where you lead. Teach me to be kind to others, to be gentle and unselfish, careful to hurt no one by word or deed, but eager to do good to all and to make others happy. Lord, forgive the sins of my temper. Pardon all my hasty words and unchristian thoughts. Make me watchful, so that I do not offend with my tongue. Give me a meek and loving spirit, which is of high value in your sight. I do not want to live for myself, but for you. Keep me today, Lord, from all sin, and from anything that displeases you; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Source: Bishop Ashton Oxenden (1808-1892), 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 6

Eternal and most glorious God, do not let me undervalue myself that I give away my soul for nothing, for I am your soul, your dear and precious soul. All the world is nothing, so why would I give my soul for it? Preserve my soul, Lord, for it belongs to you, and preserve my body because it belongs to my soul. You alone pilot my boat through its voyage, but a pilot has a greater concern for a boat when it comes to a narrow current, or to a dangerous waterfall. You care for the preservation of my body throughout my life. When death draws near, open your eyes wider, and watch me carefully that no illness or agony may shake or numb my soul. Prepare my bed, that in any sickness or hardship, under your hand, I may be content with any bed you make. Amen.

Source: John Donne (1573–1631), 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 5

Eternal God, darkness and light are the same to you, yet you send us your mercy by day and at night your song is with me. There is no light but yours, without, within. As you lift the curtain of night, take the veil from our hearts. Let your day dawn on our souls. Awaken all our labor and our prayer. Although everything else declines, let the noonday sun of your grace and peace remain. Let us follow Jesus while it is day, just as he finished your most divine work in his few years. Amen.

Source: Adapted from James Martineau (1805-1900), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, make us reflect your heavenly kingdom here through mutual love, that all hatred may be banished, and all hearts full of love, joy and gladness. Amen.

Source: Ludovicus (Juan Luis) Vives, 1492-1540, 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 4

Almighty God, since we are bathed in the new light of your eternal truth, show yourself to us clearly, that with heart and mind we follow you in word and deed. Amen.

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

Almighty God, giver of all wisdom, enlighten my understanding with knowledge of right, and govern my will by your laws, that no deceit may mislead me, no temptation may corrupt me, that I may always endeavor to do good, and to hinder evil. Amid all the hopes and fears of this world, do not take your Holy Spirit from me, but grant that my thoughts may be fixed on you, and that I may finally enter your eternal happiness, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), 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 3

Lord God, grant that we may enjoy health of mind and body, deliver us from our present sadness, and finally bring us to the joy of your eternal gladness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Almighty God, send us your good Spirit, that we flee to your loving arms as children, filled with trust, hope, and faith. In dark times draw us to you, that we trust you when we cannot see, and we hope in you when all seems doubtful. You are our Father who does all things well, and you order all things. Knowing that all things are in your hands, we await your time. Amen.

Source: George Dawson (1821–1876), 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.