O Lord,
be gracious to us in our times.
In your goodness,
maintain both national quietness and Christian devotion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Leonine Sacramentary, fifth century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
O Lord God of time and eternity,
you make us creatures of time
that, when time is over,
we may attain your blessed eternity;
With time, your gift,
give us also wisdom to redeem the time,
lest our day of grace be lost;
for our Lord Jesus’ sake.
Source: Modified from Christina G. Rosetti in Daily Prayer.
Original in traditional English:
O Lord God of time and eternity,
who makest us creatures of time
that, when time is over,
we may attain thy blessed eternity;
With time, thy gift,
give us also wisdom to redeem the time,
lest our day of grace be lost;
for our Lord Jesus’ sake.
This prayer reflects on Colossians 4:5.
Guide us, Lord,
in all the changes and varieties of the world;
that we may have evenness and tranquility of spirit:
that we may not grumble in adversity
nor grow proud in prosperity,
but in serene faith surrender our souls
to your most divine will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: From Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667
Source of this version: Modified from https://prayersascending.blogspot.com/
Original in traditional English:
Guide us, Lord, in all the changes and varieties of the world; that we may have evenness and tranquility of spirit: that we may not murmur in adversity nor in prosperity wax proud, but in serene faith resign our souls to thy divinest will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord, you have called me to open my hand,
that you might fill it:
but I would not open it;
I held the world fast,
and kept my hand shut,
and would not let it go.
But you alone can open it for me;
not my hand only, but my mouth;
not my mouth, but my heart also.
Grant that I may know nothing but you,
account all things a loss compared with you,
and endeavor to be transformed
to be like you.
Source: From Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667
Source of this version: Modified from http://anglicanhistory.org/taylor/worthy/7.2.html
Original in traditional English:
Thou hast called unto me to open my hand, and thou wouldest fill it: but I would not open it; I held the world fast, and kept my hand shut, and would not let it go. But do thou open it for me; not my hand only, but my mouth; not my mouth, but my heart also.
Grant that I may know nothing but thee, account all things loss in comparison of thee, and endeavour to be made conformable to thee, …
Before the glorious throne of your majesty, O Lord,
and the exalted throne of your honor
and the awesome judgement seat of your burning love
and the absolving altar which your command has established,
and the place where your glory dwells,
we, your people and the sheep of your fold,
kneel with thousands of the cherubim singing Alleluia,
and many times ten thousand seraphim and archangels
acclaiming your holiness, worshiping,
confessing, and praising you at all times,
O Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.
Source: Chaldean Liturgy.
Source of this version: Modified from https://annunciation-ottawa.com/entering
O God,
in your deep counsel
and foresight for humanity,
you sent your Son to heal the hearts of the weak[1]
and purify our souls and bodies.
You are the Savior of body and soul.
You are the loving bestower of eternal happiness!
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, fifth century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953, also in The New Ancient Collects, #100.
[1] “sent your Son…” Original translation: “…hast appointed holy fasts, whereby the hearts of the weak might receive salutary healing…”
O Lord,
incline your merciful ears to our prayers
and enlighten the darkness of our hearts
by the light of your visitation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, fifth century, Advent 3.
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953, also in The New Ancient Collects, #48.
Almighty God,
hear our prayers for all who sin against you,
or neglect to serve you,
all who forget you,
all who leave you out of their lives.
O Lord, have mercy on them.
Lead us all to true repentance
and an earnest longing for you.
Strengthen and confirm all your faithful people,
and lift up the light of your face on them,
always renewing in them heavenly desires;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: An Ancient Collect, fifth century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
Almighty and eternal God,
we thank you for this your blessing
of the birth of a healthy child.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
receive this child into your care forever,
for you have commanded
that the little children be brought to you.
So we pray, moved by your Word
that you would make this child your own
through your precious blood.
Give this child grace, blessing,
strength, power and prosperity
so that we might bring this child to you with joy
to enter your kingdom through holy Baptism,
and give thanks for your grace with all God-fearing hearts.
Amen.
Source: Based on a prayer in the Pomeranian Agenda, p. 114#1, Translated by Paul C. Stratman © 2018
O Lord,
enlighten our hearts
by your holy radiance, Jesus Christ,
that we may serve you without fear
in holiness and righteousness
all the days of our life.
In him may we survive the storms of this world,
and by his guidance reach the country of eternal brightness;
through your mercy, O blessed Lord,
you live and govern all things,
now and forever. Amen.
Source: Leonine Sacramentary, fifth century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
A Collection of Prayers 