For Spiritual Illumination

Hear us,
never-fading Light, Lord our God,
our only Light, Fountain of light,
Light of your angels,
thrones, dominions, principalities, powers,
and of all intelligent beings.
You created the light of your saints.
May our souls be your lamps,
kindled and enlightened by you.
May they shine and burn with the truth,
and never go out in darkness and ashes.
May we be your house,
shining from you, shining in you.
May we shine without fail.
May we ever worship you.
In you may we be kindled and not be extinguished.
Being filled with the splendor
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
may we shine forth inwardly.
May the gloom of sins be cleared away,
and the light of constant faith abide within us.

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, #158)

 

Mozarabic, ad.

AncientCollectsAd

Christian Prayer, Banner

 

Confession

O blessed Spirit of Truth,
you search the heart and test the inmost thoughts,
help me remember my sins,
and let me see them in your light.
Strengthen me also with courage to confess them truly,
hiding nothing, excusing nothing,
keeping back nothing in my heart.
In your mercy, pardon and absolve,
and thus heal me,
that I may arise and sin no more,
through the merits and for the sake
of Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Savior. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

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

 

Mozarabic, ad.

A Good Example

O Lord,
make us flourish like pure lilies
in the courts of your house,
and make us display to your people
the fragrance of good works
and the example of a godly life;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (The New Ancient Collects, #282)

 

Mozarabic, ad.

AncientCollectsAd

Litany Prayer for True Worship

O God,
you have commanded us to worship you in spirit and in truth.
Overshadow us with the power of your Holy Spirit.
Let your mercy and the gracious promise of your salvation come to us,
that our prayer may be directed to you by Christ,
through whom our sins are forgiven.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century

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

 

Mozarabic, ad.

For Rulers and the Nations

O heavenly Father,
we bend the knee before you on behalf of all kings,
princes, and governors of this world.
By your inspiration,
move them to rule in righteousness,
to rejoice in peace,
to shine in piety,
and to labor for the well-being of the people committed to them,
so that, by the rectitude of the government,
all faithful people may live without disturbance
in the knowledge of you,
and work without hindrance for your glory. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy, 7th Century

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

 

Mozarabic, ad.

Christian Prayer, Banner

In Your Mercy, Lead Me

The Evangelist Mark, from the Book of Cerne

Almighty God and Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I pray, in your mercy lead me: where thousands of angels always reflect the exceeding glory of the King of kings, praising him;
where the twenty-four elders fall before the throne of the Lamb of God, praising him;
where the four living creatures surround the throne, and every eye sees his wonderful works;
where the four rivers flow from their one source;
where the patriarchs, the first to believe in God, rule with him in his divine city;
where the prophets, full of the pure Holy Spirit, praise Christ together in the purest light of truth;
where Christ with the apostles Peter and Paul rule, sitting on their thrones;
where the flower of the state of virginity of the innocent with the pleasantness of the people of flourishing are following the Lamb;
where the martyrs of Christ are dressed in white robes and singing and waving palm branches;
where the holy, pure virgins hold palms for the king of kings;
where the crowd of saints sings to the Lord with constant peace in the land of the living;
where there is happiness;
where there is security;
where there is always health
where there is purity of mind;
where there is no pain;
where there are no problems, no anger, no pain of labor;
where there is no hunger;
where there is no deep water;
where no fire burns;
where no one perishes;
where there is no old age;
where youth flourishes;
where there is no groaning;
where the poor do not weep;
where there is eternal peace;
where there is joy;
where there is no trouble;
where there is true life;
where there is no bitter death;
where it is always divine;
where no one knows evil;
where love is strong;
where the nourishing glory of Christ the King reigns;
where there is true joy;
where the cup is full of constant life;
where the clear name of Christ rules upon his throne;
where all things are made right;
where there is salvation for all;
where there is unity;
where there is Trinity;
where there is real truth;
where there is divine virtue;
where there is the God of gods;
where there is the Lord of lords;
where there is the King of kings;
where there is the choir of heaven;
where there is the Light from Light;
where there is the source of life, flowing in the heights of the city;
where the voice of praise resounds for the Lord;
where there is no darkness of night;
where the King of kings rules forever and ever.

Source: The Book of Cerne, p. 106-108

Original in Latin:

Deus pater omnipotens domine caeli ac terrae deduc me obsecro te per misericordiam pietatis tuae
Ubi resplendent semper angelorum milia regem regum laudantes cum ingenti gloria .
Ubi uiginti quattuor seniores sunt proni agnum dei laudantes ante conspectum throni .
Ubi mystica quattuor animalia tota oculis plena tarn mira magnalia .
Ubi ilia flumina bis bina manantia uno e fontis rore inrigati .
Ubi patriarchae primi credentes deo ciues urbis diuinae regnantes sine (fine) cum eo .
Ubi prophetae puri spiritu sancto pleni christum conlaudant clara causa luminis ueri .
Ubi sancta maria sanctis cum uirginibus uitae fruentes prmiis & in thronis sublimibus .
Ubi petrus et Paulus christi cum apostolis regnant cum rege sedentes in cathhedris .
Ubi sequuntur agnum turbae innocentium uirginitatis flore amoeno florentium .
Ubi martyrum chori amicti stolis albis christo canentes habentes uitae palmam .
Ubi uirgines sanctae castitatis nimiam habent palmam gloriae regni regiae .
Ubi sanctorum turbae domino canentium gaudent cum pace firma in terra uiuentium .
Ubi est felicitas .
Ubi et securitas .
Ubi semper sanitas .
Ubi mentis puritas .
Ubi nullus dolor .
Ubi nee mentes nee irae furor Nee dolor laborantibus .
Ubi nullus esurit .
Ubi nee ullus bibit .
Ubi ignis non urit .
Ubi nullus peribit .
Ubi senex non manet .
Ubi iuuenis florebit .
Ubi lesus non gemit .
Ubi pauper non plorat .
Ubi pax perpetua .
Ubi et laetitia .
Ubi nee molestia .
Ubi uita est uera .
Ubi nee mors amara .
Ubi semper diuina .
Ubi non nocent mala .
Ubi caritas firma .
Ubi alma gloria christi regis regiae .
Ubi lumen diuinum .
Ubi gaudium uerum .
Ubi poculum purum uitae perennis plenum .
Ubi nomen praeclarum Christi regnantis (in) thronum .
Ubi est rector rerum .
Ubi salus cunctorum .
Ubi unitas .
Ubi diuinitas .
Ubi trinitas .
Ubi ueritas uera .
Ubi uirtus diuina .
Ubi deus deorum .
Ubi dominus dominorum .
Ubi rex regum .
Ubi caelorum chori .
Ubi lux lucis .
Ubi fons uiuus fulget in summa poli .
Ubi uox laudis resonat domino regi .
Ubi nox nulla tetra .
Ubi regnum regnorum saeculorum in saecula . Amen .

 

AncientCelticChAd

For the Defense of Christ’s Church

O Lord,
keep your Church and household continually in your true religion,
that all who lean on the hope of your heavenly grace alone
may always be defended by your mighty power;
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

 

AncientCollectsAd

Reformation

22852919_10210236723545584_2888798486180855484_n

Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the living Word,
and your Word is truth.
Sanctify us with the Word of your holy Gospel.
Set us apart for you high and holy purpose
of living under you in your kingdom.
Let your rule expand in our hearts
until we rule there no more
but live according to your good and gracious will.
Reform us in your image
transforming us to live
in holiness and love.
Your Word of Scripture alone can do this.
The message of your words and works on our behalf
are the power of God that saves.
So Save us. Change us.
Renew your church.
Move us to live for your glory
and to serve our neighbors.
You live and reign with your Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, 2018, for www.acollectionofprayers.com.

Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Do not let me be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
that with your saints I may praise you
forever and ever. Amen.

In verse by John Henry Newman:

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification;
Body of Christ, be my salvation;
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins;
Water of Christ’s side, wash out my stains;
Passion of Christ, my comfort be;
O good Jesus, listen to me;
In thy wounds I fain would hide;
Ne’er to be parted from thy side;
Guard me, should the foe assail me;
Call me when my life shall fail me;
Bid me come to thee above,
With thy saints to sing thy love,
World without end. Amen.

Source: Anima Christi, source unknown. Earliest manuscript found dates to c. 1370. This prayer has its own article on Wikipedia.

Original in Latin:

Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Jesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et iube me venire ad te,
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te,
In saecula saeculorum.
Amen.

For Guidance and Protection

Lord, our redemption.
Be our protection.
Direct our minds by your gracious presence.
Watch over our paths
and guide us with your love
through the hidden snares of life.
Fix our hearts on you as we go forward,
that following in faith,
we may arrive at your goal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954, also in The New Ancient Collects, #292

Mozarabic, ad.

AncientCollectsAd