19th Century – Page 5 – A Collection of Prayers

A Litany

Do not remember, Lord, our offences or the offences of our forefathers,
and do not take vengeance for our sins:
Spare us, good Lord.

Spare your servants, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood,
and do not be angry with us forever:
Spare us, O Lord.

From the guilt and burden of our sins,
from the stings and terrors of conscience,
from the illusions and assaults of the enemy,
and from the bitter pains of eternal death:
Deliver us, O Lord.

From all impatience under your discipline,
from dejection of spirit and lack of trust in your mercies,
from the fear of death,
and from the terrors of judgment:
Deliver us, O Lord.

By your many and great mercies,
by the all sufficient merits of your blessed Son, Jesus Christ,
by his agony and bloody sweat,
by his bitter cross and passion,
by his glorious resurrection and ascension,
by his continual intercession for us at your right hand,
and by the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit:
Deliver us, O Lord.

In all the changes and trials of this mortal life,
in all time of our tribulation, and in all time of our wealth,
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment:
Deliver us, O Lord.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, O Lord:
Son of God, we pray, hear us.

That it may please you to look on us with the eye of your mercy,
to give us a hearty faith and confidence in you,
and in all our dangers and adversities
to stretch forth the right hand of your majesty,
to help and defend us,
and to keep us in perpetual peace and safety:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to remember us with your favor,
and to give us grace to follow the good examples of your servants
who have departed this life in your faith and fear,
that with them we may become partakers of your heavenly kingdom:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to give us an entire resignation to your holy will,
to wean our affection from things below,
to fill us with ardent desires after heaven,
and finally, to make us partakers of all your blessings and promises in Christ Jesus:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to fill our souls with the peace and love of God,
that when you call us to walk through the valley and shadow of death,
we may fear no evil but fall gently asleep in Jesus
and wake up in the glory of your presence:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

Son of God, we pray, hear us
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Christ, hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.

Almighty God, you accept the penitence and confession of the contrite that they may share in your mercy and live. Be merciful and gracious to us, forgive us all our sins, establish us in your grace, grant us the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from A Morning Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 296-298.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany for the Dying (1)

O God, the Father in heaven:
Have mercy on us.
O God, the Son, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.
O God, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter:
Have mercy on us.

Do not remember, Lord, our offences or the offences of our forefathers:
Spare us good Lord.

Spare your servant before you, whom you have redeemed with your precious blood:
Spare us good Lord.

From all evil and harm,
from the power of sin and the snares of the devil,
from your wrath,
and from everlasting damnation:
Good Lord, deliver him.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and passion,
by your precious death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
and by the coming of the Holy Spirit,
in the hour of death and in the day of judgment:
Good Lord, deliver him.

We sinners pray, hear us:
Son of God, we pray, hear us

That it may please you to uphold him with your free Spirit,
to grant him true repentance,
to forgive him all his sins,
to strengthen and confirm him in your grace,
and to beat down Satan under his feet:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

O Son of God, Redeemer of the world:
Hear us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on him.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on him.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Grant him your peace.

O Lord God, our heavenly Father, you have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that they turn from their ways and live. Regard this sick person with an eye of compassion. Do not let him be overwhelmed by any pains of body or any anguish of soul, but grant to him in this world your pardon and peace, and in the world to come life everlasting; through the abounding merits and the glorious mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from A Litany for the Dying, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 296-298.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany (Name of Jesus)

Lord, have mercy on us:
Have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us:
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us and grant us your peace:
Hear us and grant us your peace.

Jesus, the Son of the living God,
the eternal Word,
the brightness of the Father’s glory
and express image of his person:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the Son of Man,
conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
meek and humble of heart,
obedient unto death,
the example of all virtues,
the way, the truth, and the life:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the author of life,
the captain of salvation,
the eternal high priest,
the prince of peace:
Have mercy on us.

Jesus, the joy of angels,
the hope of the patriarchs,
the inspirer of the prophets,
the teacher of the apostles,
the strength of martyrs,
the King of saints:
Have mercy on us.

From all sin and evil,
from death and hell:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.

By your holy nativity and circumcision,
by your holy words and deeds,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your bitter cross and passion,
by your death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
by your sitting at the right hand of the Father Almighty,
and by your return to judge the quick and the dead:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Hear our prayers.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
Grant us your peace.

Almighty God, you accept the penitence and confession of the contrite that they may share in your mercy and live. Be merciful and gracious to us, absolve us from all sin, establish us in your grace, grant us the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Modified from An Evening Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 298-300.

This litany appears to be a shortened version of the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, which appeared in Italy in the early 1400s. That litany, along with the Latin original, can be found here: https://www.fisheaters.com/litanyholyname.html

This is the litany that is in the graphic of the open prayer book on this page and on our Facebook page.

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

A Litany

O God the Father in heaven:
Have mercy on us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O God the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son:
Have mercy on us.

O holy blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God:
Have mercy on us.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers,
do not take vengeance on us for our sins.
Spare us, good Lord.

Spare your people whom you redeemed with your most precious blood,
and do not be angry with us forever:
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and harm,
from the power of sin and the snares of the devil,
from your wrath and from everlasting damnation:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart,
from pride, vain-glory and hypocrisy,
from envy, hatred, and malice, and all lovelessness:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all impure lusts and desires,
and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning, tempest, and earthquake,
from plague, pestilence, and famine,
from all disasters by land and by water,
from battle and murder, and from sudden death:
Good Lord, deliver us.

From tumult and riot,
from sedition and rebellion,
from heresy and schism,
from hardness of heart and contempt of your Word and authority:
Good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation,
by your holy nativity and circumcision,
by your baptism, fasting, and temptation:
Good Lord, deliver us.

By your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and passion,
by your precious death and burial,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
and by the coming of the Holy Spirit:
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation,
in all time of our wealth,
in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment:
Good Lord, deliver us

We sinners pray, hear us, O Lord:
Son of God we pray, hear us.

That it may please you to keep us in all time of temptation and heaviness,
to comfort and help all the weak-hearted,
to lift up those who fall, and finally to beat down Satan under our feet:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to nurture, help, and comfort
all who are in danger, need, and trouble:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to preserve all travelers and strangers,
all women in the perils of child birth,
all sick persons and young children,
and to show your pity on all prisoners and captives:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to defend and provide
for the fatherless children and widows,
and all who are desolate and oppressed:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

That it may please you to have mercy on all people:
We pray, hear us, O Lord.

O Son of God, Redeemer of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world:
Have mercy on us.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world:
Grant us your peace.

O God, merciful Father, you do not despise the sighing of a contrite heart or the desire of those who are sorrowful. Mercifully help us in all our troubles and adversities whenever they oppress us. Graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or humanity work against us, may be brought to nothing by your will and purpose, that we your servants, may be hurt by no persecutions, and may evermore give thanks to you in your holy Church, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

O God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us from the fear of our enemies, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Modified from The Litany, Order of Worship for the Reformed Church in the United States, 1866, p. 21-24.

This Litany is very similar to the German litanies by Martin Luther and in the Saxon Agenda of 1540, which were shortened versions of the Litany of the Saints. The Litany of the Saints, along with the original Latin, can be viewed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_of_the_Saints

Available also in pdf and in docx formats.

Offering Prayers

O Lord, stir up the wills of your faithful people, that those who have freely received your blessings may give from your blessings; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [1]

Source: Freely modified from Bishop John Dowden, 1840-1910

Most merciful and gracious God, we have all received the gifts of your goodness. Receive this offering of your people and follow it with your blessing, that it may be used to spread peace and good will among all people and advance the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [2]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 7.

All gracious God, in your infinite love you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and rise again for our justification, and have made us partakers of the divine nature through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receive the offering we present to you and grant that our bodies, souls and spirits may be living sacrifices to you, holy and pleasing in your sight, and that we may go forth in your strength to freely serve you in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 16.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son once offered up himself on the cross once for all. Accept this our spiritual act of worship of praise. O Lord, we offer and present ourselves, our souls and bodies to be a holy and living sacrifice acceptable to you through Jesus Christ your Son. [4]

Source: Based on a prayer in The Book of Common Worship, Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1906, p. 37

A Prayer for Peace

G_C_Dieffenbach Peace be to this house! (Luke 10:5)
Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Amen. (1 Peter 5:14)
Peace be with me and with my family!
Peace be with all in this congregation!
Peace be with all in this land!
Peace be with the beloved church of God and with all the faithful!
Peace be with all who are sick and miserable,
with all who are disturbed and afflicted,
with all who are prisoners and persecuted,
with all who are struggling and fearful!
Peace be with us all, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Georg Christian Dieffenbach (1822-1901)

Source of this version: Translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Friede sei in diesem Hause! (Luc 10:5) Friede sei mit Allen, die in Christo Jesu sind. Amen. (1 Petr 5:14)

[Anmerk: Diesen Spruch kann man dann etwa so anwenden, indem man weiter betet:
Friede sei mit mir und den Meinen!
Friede sei mit dieser ganzen Gemeinde!
Friede sei mit dem ganzen Lande!
Friede sei mit der lieben Kirche Gottes, und mit allen Gläubigen!
Friede sei mit allen Kranken und Elenden,
mit allen Betrübten und Angefochtenen,
mit allen Gefangenen und Verfolgten,
mit allen Streitenden und Friedelosen!
Friede sei mit uns Allen von nun an bis in Ewigkeit. Amen.]

Source: Evangelische Haus-Agende by Georg Christian Dieffenbach, 1853

Swedish Christmas Prayer

church_of_sweden_2856028423629 Merciful God, loving Father,
we give you thanks and praise
that you have mercifully fulfilled
the word of your promise to the patriarchs
and sent your only Son
to become truly human
for our salvation and blessedness.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
eternal praise be to you,
that you, being rich, for our sakes became poor,
that we through your poverty might become rich;
that you have become our brother,
that we with you might become the children of God.
Grant that you may be born in our hearts,
just as you, though you are Lord of lords,
have for our sakes become a child,
so give us the right childlike mind.
You are the brightness of the Father’s glory
and image of his person,
renew us in your holy likeness.

Heavenly Light,
lighten us through the darkness of this world.
Eternal Life, give us life in you.
Great Prince of Peace, grant us your peace,
and keep us ever in your kingdom,
that we may praise and magnify you in your glory:
you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Swedish Rite: a translation of “Handbok för svenska kyrkan” by Eric Esskildsen Yelverton, 1921, Litany Prayer for Christmas Day, p. 52-53

A General Prayer (Christmas)

wilhelm_loehe Blessed Immanuel, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man, we thank you for taking on yourself our nature, coming down from heaven and becoming fully human, and making us partakers of the divine nature. You revealed to us the loving heart of your Father. You brought us peace and quenched his divine anger against us. By your blessed birth we are made new creatures. You are our great High Priest through whom we have access to the Father. Enable us, O blessed Lord and loving Immanuel, to confess your appearing in the flesh, always to be mindful of your great love and humiliation, most heartily to rejoice and comfort ourselves in the same, and evermore partake of its power. Open our hearts and lips that with the holy angels we may ever praise and magnify you. Finally take us into your heavenly kingdom, that we may praise and serve you there, forever and ever. Amen. Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel. Blessed be his holy name. Let the whole earth be full of his glory. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith by Wilhelm Löhe, Christmas Prayer 6, p. 124-125

A General Prayer (Advent 2)

wilhelm_loehe

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, you came into the world in the name of your Father to be a King, to justify many, and to save your people from their sins. You came to your own, and your own people did not receive you. You came to us poor Gentiles and still visit us in your Word and Sacrament. O Lord Jesus, Son of David, precious Savior, only Hope for humanity, blessed are you who come in the name of the Lord.

In you our hearts rejoice and all that is within us is glad because of your help and deliverance. You are the one who was to come and we will not look for another. Abide with us and fill our hearts daily with your presence.

By your Spirit dwell in us that we may praise your holy name, as did your disciples and the people of Jerusalem when you entered in triumph. O blessed Savior, as you kept your people faithful in ages past, keep us steadfast until death. When you return again at the end of the world to deliver us from all evil, grant that we may await with joy the time of our redemption, watch and pray that we may escape those things which will then come to pass, and finally stand before the Son of Man. All these blessings we ask for the sake of your infinite love. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith by Wilhelm Löhe, Advent Prayer 2, p. 120-121

A General Prayer (Advent 1)

wilhelm_loehe

O Lord, our heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the comfort you have given us in the gift of your dear Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent to be a King and Savior to redeem his people from their sin and to deliver them from the might of Satan and the power of everlasting death. Give us your Holy Spirit to enlighten, govern, and sanctify our hearts, that we may confess him as our King and Savior, and always cling to him. Give us a true and living faith so that we may not be offended at his humiliation, Word and Kingdom, which the world esteems so lightly; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Accept also, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful people for the well being of your holy Church throughout the world. Govern and sanctify it, with all its pastors and ministers, by your Holy Spirit, that we may be kept by your Word in true faith and fervent love toward you and one another.

Grant also health and prosperity to all who are in authority, especially, the president of our nation and the governor of our state,* that they may rule over us according to your will to maintain righteousness and hinder and punish of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

Grant also that our enemies may cease their enmity and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.

All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor or any other trouble, especially those who suffer for your name and for your truth’s sake, comfort, O God, with your Holy Spirit, that they may receive and confess their afflictions as the manifestation of your Fatherly will.

Cause also the fruits of the earth to prosper, and give us all other things you would have us ask for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith by Wilhelm Löhe, Advent Prayer 1, p. 119-120

* “the president of our nation and the governor of our state” should be modified to fit the circumstances of a country’s national, provincial or district authorities.