Into your hands we commit ourselves,
blessed Lord,
this night and forever.
Sun of Righteousness,
keep us from utter darkness
and let us sleep in peace,
that we may always be ready
to arise and meet you
when you come again in glory;
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you are one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Source: Freely modified from Daily services for Christian Households, compiled and arranged by H. Stobart, 1867
Original in traditional English:
O Lord,
give your blessing to our daily work,
that we may do it in faith, with all our hearts,
as working for the Lord and not for human masters.
All our powers of body and mind are yours,
and we devote them to your service.
Sanctify us and the work in which we are engaged;
let us not be lazy, but diligent in spirit.
O Lord, bless our efforts
that they may bring forth in us
the fruits of true wisdom.
Teach us to seek truth and lead us to find it,
but grant that we may always speak the truth in love,
that while we know earthly things,
we may know you, and be known by you,
through and in your Son Jesus Christ.
Give us this day your Holy Spirit,
that we may be yours in body and spirit
in all our work and all our refreshments;
through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Thomas Arnold, d. 1842
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 86
“with all our hearts… not for human masters” is a reference to Colossians 3:23
“let us not be lazy” is a reference to Romans 12:11
“the fruits of true wisdom” may be a reference to James 3:17
“always speak the truth in love” is a reference to Ephesians 4:15
“we may know you, and be known by you” is a reference to Galatians 4:9
“that we may be yours in body and spirit” may be a reference to 1 Thessalonians 5:23
I arise in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the crucified,
who has redeemed me with his precious blood.
May he guard me from evil,
preserve me in body and soul,
and give me what will further and strengthen me
in all good to everlasting life.
Source: Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 #106.
Also found here: A Lutheran Prayer Book, ed. Doberstein, © 1960 Muehlenberg Press, Philadelphia
O Lord,
King of heaven and earth,
order, hallow, rule and govern
our hearts and bodies, and our thoughts, words and actions
according to your commandments;
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
Source: Breviarium Romanum (Prime)
Source of this version: Modified from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia, 1919, p. 222 #60
This prayer may be trying to parallel the Lord’s Prayer. “Hallow, rule and govern…” seem to parallel “Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done.”
O God,
you divide the day from the night.
Separate us and all we do
from the gloom of darkness.
As you have awakened our bodies from sleep,
awaken our souls from sin.
As the light of the day has brightened our eyes,
illuminate our hearts with the light of your Word and the Holy Spirit.
Today, empower us as children of the light
to walk in obedience to you,
that in all our thoughts, words, and actions
we may strive to keep faith and a clean conscience
toward you, and toward all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source of this version: A Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1896, p. 191 #2
This prayer may be an expansion of the thoughts in “Hearts and Minds Unshadowed”
Come I this day to the Father,
Come I this day to the Son,
Come I to the Holy Spirit powerful;
Come I this day with God,
Come I this day with Christ,
Come I with the Spirit of kindly balm.
Father, and Spirit, and Jesus,
From the crown of my head
To the soles of my feet;
Come I with my reputation,
Come I with my testimony,
Come I to you, Jesu–
Jesu, shelter me.
Source: Unknown, Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p. 69. English translation modified.
Graphic is from Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p.68
Thanks to you, Jesus Christ,
who brought me up from last night
to the gladsome light of this day,
to win everlasting life for my soul,
through the atoning blood you shed for me.
Praise to you, O God forever,
for the blessings you bestowed on me,
my food, my speech, my deeds, my health.
And I ask,
to shield me from sin,
to shield me from ill,
to bless me this night,
and I low and poor,
O God of the poor!
O Christ of the wounds!
Give me wisdom along with your grace.
May the Holy One claim me,
and protect me on sea and on land,
and lead me on from step to step,
to the peace of the Everlasting City,
the peace of the Everlasting City!
Source: Unknown, Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p. 97. English translation modified.
Graphic is from Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p.96
In Carmida Gadelica… on the following pages, a similar prayer in a slightly different format appears:
Thanks to you, God,
who brought me from yesterday
to the beginning of today,
everlasting joy
to earn for my soul
with good intent
and for every gift of peace
you bestow on me,
my thoughts, my words,
my deeds, my desires
I dedicate to you,
I supplicate you,
I beseech you,
to keep me from offence
and to shield me tonight
for the sake of your wounds
with your offering of grace.
O almighty God,
every good prayer comes from you,
and you pour out the Spirit of grace and prayer
on all who desire it.
Deliver us from coldness of heart
and wanderings of mind
when we draw near you,
that with steadfast thoughts
and warmed affections
we may worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: William Bright, Ancient Collects, p. 233 #1
This prayer was written by William Bright himself “in imitation of the ancient model.”
Original in traditional English:
O Almighty God, from Whom every good prayer cometh, and Who pourest out on all who desire it the Spirit of grace and supplications; deliver us, when we draw nigh to Thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind; that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The almighty Lord,
who is a strong tower
for those who put their trust in him,
to whom all things in heaven and earth
and under the earth bow and obey,
be our defense, now and always.
There is no other name under heaven, given to men,
in whom and through whom
we receive health and salvation,
but only in the name
of our Lord + Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Source: Visitatio Infirmorum
Source of this version: Modified from Prayers of the Ages, ed. Caroline Snowden Whitmarsh, 1868, p. 255
“Strong tower” is a reference to Psalm 61:3 and Proverbs 18:10
“in heaven and earth and under the earth…” is a reference to Philippians 2:10
“no other name under heaven…” is a reference to Acts 4:12
Go forth into the world in peace.
Be of good courage.
Hold fast that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted.
Support the weak.
Help the afflicted.
Show love to everyone.
Love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Source: Book of Common Prayer, 1892, 1928, modified.
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