O Lord God,
King of heaven and earth,
order and hallow,
rule and govern,
our hearts and our bodies,
our thoughts,
our works,
and our words,
according to your commandments,
that with your help,
we may be delivered and saved,
now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O blessed Lord,
you have commanded us to love one another.
Just as we have received your undeserved blessings,
may we love everyone in you and for you.
We ask your kindness for all,
but especially for the friends
whom your love has given to us.
Love them, O fountain of love,
and move them to love you
with all their heart,
that they may will, and speak, and do only those things
which are pleasing to you.
Our prayer is cold,
because our love is so feeble,
but you are rich in mercy.
Do not measure your goodness to them by the dullness of our devotion,
but as your kindness surpasses all human affection,
so let your hearing transcend our prayer.
Do what is best for them, according to your will,
that being ruled and protected by you always and everywhere,
they may receive eternal life in the end;
to you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O Lord,
feed your people with your grace,
and deliver our souls from the death of sin.
Fill us with your mercy,
that we may be united with the joys of the righteous;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
Shine your light on us, O Lord,
so that, being rid of the darkness of our hearts,
we may attain to the true Light;
through Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
Almighty and eternal God,
you are the brightness of the faithful.
You have made this day holy
by the first-fruits of the chosen Gentiles.
Fill the world with your glory
and show yourself by the radiance of your light
to the nations that are subject to you;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregory the Great
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
Almighty God,
fountain of eternal light,
send forth your truth into our hearts,
and pour on us the glory of your brightness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O God of strength,
you surpass all understanding,
and you mercifully give your people mercy and judgment.
Empower us to faithfully love you,
and to walk this day in the way of righteousness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
Almighty and eternal God,
Brightness of faithful souls,
you brought the Gentiles to your light,
and made known to them him who is the true Light,
and the bright and morning Star.
Fill the world with your glory,
and show yourself by the radiance of your light to all nations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
O Lord,
look mercifully on us,
and grant that we may choose the way of peace.
Rescue us from the captivity of the sins which have oppressed us,
that we may attain the dwellings of the heavenly Jerusalem;
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
The heavens are shining with the clear beauty of the stars, O Lord,
and the very earth is made beautiful by a shining light,
because you appeared to the world
from your holy dwelling place.
Remove from our hearts all sadness,
for you came for this,
to make all things new.
Enlighten our eyes to purify us
that we may behold you forever,
that we who preach to the nations the glad joys of your appearing
may be made glad with you in infinite joy. Amen.
Source: Attributed to the Mozarabic Breviary
Source of this version: Freely modified from http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=964
A Collection of Prayers 