A Collection of Prayers

O Wisdom…

December 17

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Source: The O Antiphons

Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 20

Latin:

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

Isaiah had prophesied:

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2-3
“[…] he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.” Isaiah 28:29

Gracious Father,
your holy Word tells us
that our times are in your hands.
Hear our prayers for __________ and for his family
as he nears the end of his earthly life.
Comfort them with your gracious promises
of the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, 2018

The New Ancient Collects, Christmas Sampler

The New Ancient Collects is a revision of the classic Ancient Collects and Other Prayers by Dr. William Bright. These treasures of the ancient Christian church have been refreshed in contemporary English, and the collection is available for purchase through Amazon.com at this link: http://amzn.to/2hFSvNR

To preview, download this free pdf of a sampling of the Christmas prayers:

The New Ancient Collects – Christmas Sampler

Prayers from the Evangelical-Lutheran Heritage – Christmas Sampler

PELH - Christmas Sampler.png

Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation this Christmas with this collection of Prayers from the Evangelical-Lutheran Heritage – Christmas Sampler. This collection draws on the history of the Lutheran Church from Luther to Loehe (1500s-1800s). The whole book can be purchased through Amazon.com at this link: http://amzn.to/2AXqUzi

To preview, download this free pdf of a sampling of the Christmas prayers:

Prayers from the Ev. Lutheran Heritage – Christmas Sampler

Thanksgiving Prayer

O Lord our God and heavenly Father,
in your indescribable mercy
you have provided food and drink
for the nourishment of our weak bodies.
Grant us peace
to use these gifts from your hands
with thankful, reverent hearts.
Let your blessing rest on these your gifts,
to our comfort and sustenance.
Grant, good Lord,
that as we hunger and thirst for this food for our bodies,
so may our souls earnestly long after
the Bread of eternal Life,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from George Webb, “Short direction for the daily exercise of the Christian,” London 1625.

Original in traditional English:

O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

Prayer about the Fires in California, November 2018

Gracious Lord,
your holy Word tells us
that no trouble or loss
can separate your people
from your love which is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord.

We pray
for those who have suffered losses of home and property,
for those whose loved ones are missing,
and for those whose loved ones have died
in the wildfires of California.

Deliver your people from all evil.
Remind us all that the things of this world pass away,
but you and your mercy endure forever.
Use this disaster
to lift the eyes of many
from the things of this world,
and to look to you
as the only provider, protector,
and refuge in all trouble;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, 2018

For Unity

God the Father,
source of Divinity,
good beyond all that is good,
fair beyond all that is fair,
in you is calmness, peace and unity.
Repair the things that divide us from each other
and restore our unity of love
like your divine love.
And as you are above all things,
unite us in goodness and love
that we may be spiritually one,
with you and with each other,
through your peace which makes all things peaceful
and through the grace, mercy, and tenderness
of your only Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source: Dionysius of the Syrian Jacobite Church, 9th Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (New Ancient Collects, #264)

For Blessedness

O God,
you are life, wisdom, truth,
bounty, and blessedness,
the eternal, the only true good,
our God and our Lord,
our hope and our heart’s delight,
we acknowledge with thanksgiving
that you have made us in your image,
and that we may direct our thoughts to you.
Lord, make us to know you aright,
that we may love, enjoy, and possess you
more and more.
And since, in the life here below,
I cannot fully attain this blessedness,
let it at least grow in me day by day,
until it all is fulfilled at last in the life to come.
Here let the knowledge of you be increased,
and there let it be perfected.
Here let my love to you grow,
and there let it ripen;
that my joy being here great in hope,
may there in fruition be made perfect. Amen.

Source: Anselm of Canterbury, 11th century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For the Afflicted and Distressed

O Lord,
we bring you
the troubles and perils
of peoples and nations,
the sighing of prisoners and captives,
the sorrows of the bereaved,
the needs of strangers,
the helplessness of the weak,
the tiredness of the weary,
the failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Anselm of Canterbury, 11th century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Pardon, Grace, and Guidance

O God,
source of every good and perfect gift,
shed abroad the cheering light of your sevenfold grace over our hearts.
Yes, Spirit of love and gentleness,
help us.
You know our faults, our failings, our needs,
the dullness of our understanding,
the waywardness of our affections,
the perverseness of our will.
When we neglect to practice what we know,
be gracious to us.
Enlighten our minds,
make right our desires,
correct our wanderings,
and pardon our omissions,
so that by your guidance
we may be preserved from making shipwreck of faith,
and keep a good conscience,
at length arrive safe in the haven of eternal rest;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Anselm of Canterbury, 11th century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.