A Collection of Prayers

You Were Buried so that You Would Rise from the Grave

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you were put to death
so that you would become the Author of life,
and you were buried
so that you would rise from the grave.
You set the dead free by your death,
and you abolished the penalty of sin
by your crucifixion.
With that same compassion
that moved you to suffer all for us,
hear our prayers,
and put an end to our misery
with your heavenly joy.
As we confess
that we have sinned against you in the past,
but now have returned to your mercy once again,
we pray that we may enjoy
your favor and goodness
all the days of our life;
through your mercy, O our God.

Source: Mozarabic
Source of this version: Freely modified from A Century of Collects, [38] selected and translated by Atwell M. Y. Baylay, 1913.

Original in Latin:

Domine Jesu Christe, qui vivificaturus occideris, qui resurrecturus sepeliris, dum morte mortuos solvis, dum poenam superas crucifixus : tu ad preces nostras ilia, qua totum pateris, pietate convertere, et nostris jam calamitatibus finem pone. [Sicque reddita nobis indulgentia miserere.] Ut qui adversum te gravium culparum impressione nos egisse sentimus, iterum ad te nos misericordia. parcente conversi, redeunte quietis statu, et melioribus in rerum commodis potiamur. Per misericordiam tuam, Deus noster.

Translation in traditional English from A Century of Collects:

O Lord Jesu Christ, who wast but slain that thou mightest be the Author of life, and buried that thou mightest rise from the grave; setting free the dead by thy death, and abolishing the penalty of sin by thy crucifixion: bow down thine ear to our prayers with that same compassion that moved thee to suffer all for us, and put now a full end to our misery. And whereas we acknowledge ourselves to have sinned grievously against thee in time past, yet now by thy mercy turning unto thee once again, we pray thee that we may enjoy thy favour and goodness all the days of our life. Through thy mercy, O our God.

May We Never Be Forsaken

O Christ our Lord,
from your cross
you cried out
as one forsaken by the Father,
and by your death
you redeemed humanity
which was lost through sin.
We humbly pray,
that we may truly believe
that we will never be forsaken by you,
and that our trust
in your eternal power and Godhead
may always be steadfast.
Graciously hear our prayers,
and make us to serve you always
according to your good will and pleasure.

Source: Mozarabic. Freely modified from The Revised Prayer-Book of the Reformed Spanish Church, 1889

This version is modified to clarify doctrine. The English translation in the source read:

O Christ our Lord, from Whose cross went up a cry as of one forsaken by the Father, and Who by Thy death didst redeem mankind which was lost through sin; we humbly supplicate Thy mercy, that we who believe may never be forsaken by Thee, and that our trust in Thy eternal power and Godhead may never be rejected. And we beseech Thee to graciously hear our prayers, and make us to serve Thee alway according to Thy good will and pleasure.

You Suffered for Us

O God,
the Son of God,
you suffered for us,
the just for the unjust.
Save us by the shame of your Passion,
and clothe us with the robe of your righteousness,
so that through the unmerited suffering of your death,
we may escape the punishment our sins have deserved.
Amen.

Hear the sorrowful sighing of your Church, O Lord,
for which you suffered death on the cross.
Let your people,
who trust in what you have endured for them,
never be put to shame.
Be their support in all trials,
and crown them at last with glory everlasting.
Amen.

Through your mercy, O our God.
You are blessed
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic. Freely modified from The Revised Prayer-Book of the Reformed Spanish Church, 1889

English translation from the source in traditional English:

O God, the Son of God, Who didst suffer for us, the just for the unjust; Save us by the shame of Thy Passion, and clothe us with the robe of Thy righteousness, so that, through the unmerited suffering of Thy death, we may escape the punishment our sins have deserved.
Ans. Amen.

Min. Hear the sorrowful sighing of Thy Church, O Lord, Who for her didst suffer death upon the cross. Let her, whose sole trust is in what Thou didst endure for her, never be put to shame. Be her support in all trials, and crown her at last with glory everlasting.
Ans. Amen.

Min. Through Thy mercy, O our God, Who art blessed, and dost live, and govern all things, world without end.
Ans. Amen.

The Passion

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion2

Jesus, our Lord and our God,
you gave your cheek to those who struck you
and for our sake you endured much mockery.
Grant that following the example of your sufferings,
we may be courageous in bearing our own,
and learn from you,
for you are meek and lowly in heart;
you now reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Source: Mozarabic, modified from Daily Prayer.

Translation from Daily Prayer in traditional English:

Jesus, our Lord and our God, who gavest thy cheek to those who smote thee and wast for our sake filled full with reproach; Grant that after the example of thy sufferings, we may be valiant in bearing our own, and learn of thee, the meek and lowly of heart; who now reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Remember the Value of Your Precious Blood

O Christ, Lamb of God,
only Son of the Father,
for us and for the whole world
you offered yourself
as payment on the cross,
dying innocently at the hands of the wicked.
Remember the infinite value
of your precious blood
and blot out the sins of all your people.

You were reviled and stricken.
You were bound with cords,
and beaten with stripes.
You wore the crown of thorns,
and were nailed to the cross.
You suffered the bitter pains of death,
your side was pierced
and your body was laid in the tomb.

Grant us poor creatures,
for whom you endured so much,
the everlasting joy of your heavenly kingdom,
so that those who worship you,
remembering your passion,
and praising you as the Lamb who was slain,
may be raised to heavenly places
to see the glory of your resurrection.
Amen.

Through your mercy, O our God.
You are blessed
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic. Freely modified from The Revised Prayer-Book of the Reformed Spanish Church, 1889, Good Friday Office.

O Christ, Lamb of God, the only begotten Son of the Father, Who for our sakes and for the whole world didst offer Thyself in propitiation upon the cross, dying innocently at the hands of wicked men, remember the infinite value of Thy precious blood, and blot out the sins of all Thy people. O Thou Who wast reviled and buffeted ; Who wast bound with cords, and beaten with stripes; Who wore the crown of thorns, and wast nailed to the cross; Who didst suffer the bitter pains of death; Whose side was pierced and Whose body was laid in the tomb ; grant unto the miserable creatures for whom Thou didst endure so much, the everlasting joy of Thy heavenly kingdom; so that as many as prostrate themselves before Thee, remembering Thy passion, and worshipping Thee as the Lamb which was slain, may be raised to heavenly places and enjoy the gladness of Thy glorious resurrection.
Ans. Amen.
Mm. Through Thy mercy, O our God, Who art blessed and dost live and govern all things, world without end.
Ans. Amen.

Today, O Good Jesus, …

Today, O good Jesus,
you did not hide your face from shame and spitting for us.

Today, Jesus our Redeemer,
you were mocked,
struck by unbelievers,
and crowned with thorns for us.

Today, good Shepherd,
you laid down your life for the sheep on the cross,
and you were crucified with robbers,
and had your sacred hands nailed through.

Today you were laid in the guarded tomb,
and the saints burst open their tombs.

Today, good Jesus,
you put an end to our sins,
that on the day of your resurrection
we may joyfully receive your holy body,
and be refreshed with your sacred blood. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (New Ancient Collects, #151)

About the Eucharist, from the Didache

Now about the Eucharist, this is how to give thanks: First in connection with the cup:

We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David, your servant, which you have revealed through Jesus, your Son. To you be glory forever.

Then in connection with the piece broken off the loaf:

We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have revealed through Jesus, your Son. To you be glory forever.

As this piece of bread was scattered over the hills and then was brought together and made one, so let your Church be brought together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.

You must not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the Lord’s name. For in reference to this the Lord said, “Do not give what is sacred to dogs.”

After you have finished your meal, say grace in this way:

We thank you, holy Father, for your sacred name which you have lodged in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have revealed through Jesus, your Son. To you be glory forever.

Almighty Master, you have created everything for the sake of your name, and have given people food and drink to enjoy that they may thank you. But to us you have given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Jesus, your Son.

Above all, we thank you that you are mighty. To you be glory forever.

Remember, Lord, your Church, to save it from all evil and to make it perfect by your love. Make it holy, and gather it together from the four winds into your Kingdom which you have made ready for it. For yours is the power and the glory forever.

Let grace come and let this world pass away.
Hosanna to the God of David!
If anyone is holy, let him come.
If not, let him repent.
Our Lord, come!
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Didache, ed. Cyril Richardson, 1953. CCEL. The Didache also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is a brief anonymous early Christian treatise, dated by most modern scholars to the first century. Some elements of The Didache are similar to the Gospel of Matthew, some seem to be apocryphal additions.

“As this piece of bread…” is similar in thought to 1 Corinthians 10:17.

“Do not give what is sacred to dogs” is from Matthew 7:6.

“But you have given spiritual food… is similar to 1 Corinthians 10:3.

“Remember, Lord, your Church, to save it from all evil…” is similar to
Matthew 6:13.

“Make it holy, and gather it together from the four winds…” is similar to
Matthew 24:31

“To you be glory forever” and “For yours is the power and the glory forever” is similar to Romans 11:36, Revelation 1:6, and many doxological phrases in the New Testament.

For Light to Follow You

O Lord,
direct our steps this day
into the way of peace,
and strengthen our hearts
to obey your commandments.
May the Dayspring visit us from on high,
and give light
to those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death,
that they may adore you for your mercy,
follow you for your truth,
desire you for your sweetness,
for you are the blessed Lord God of Israel,
now and forever. Amen.

Source: An ancient Collect, A. D. 440
Source of this version: Freely modified from Service and Prayers for Church and Home, Ed. Wilbur Patterson Thirkield, Methodist Book Concern, 1918

Version in traditional English:

DIRECT our steps this day, O Lord, into the way of peace, and strengthen our hearts to obey thy commandments; may the Dayspring visit us from on high, and give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, that they may adore thee for thy mercy, follow thee for thy truth, desire thee for thy sweetness, who art the blessed Lord God of Israel, both now and evermore. Amen.

Morning Thanksgiving

We give you sincere thanks
for the rest of the past night
and for the gift of a new day,
with its opportunities for pleasing you.
Grant that we may pass its hours
in the perfect freedom of your service,
that at evening,
we may again give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Daybreak Office of the Eastern Church
Source of this version: Freely modified from Service and Prayers for Church and Home, Ed. Wilbur Patterson Thirkield, Methodist Book Concern, 1918

Version in traditional English:

WE give thee hearty thanks for the rest of the past night and for the gift of a new day, with its opportunities of pleasing thee. Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of thy service, that at eventide we may again give thanks unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For Cheerfulness

O God,
you have have folded back
the mantle of the night
to clothe us in the golden glory of the day.
Drive from our hearts
all gloomy thoughts,
and make us glad
with the brightness of your hope,
that we may aspire
to heavenly virtues;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: An Ancient Collect, A. D. 590
Source of this version: Freely modified from Service and Prayers for Church and Home, Ed. Wilbur Patterson Thirkield, Methodist Book Concern, 1918

Version in traditional English:

O GOD, who hast folded back the mantle of the night to clothe us in the golden glory of the day, chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts, and make us glad with the brightness of hope, that we may effectively aspire to unwon virtues, through Jesus Christ our Lord.