20th Century – Page 11 – A Collection of Prayers

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

csblc O almighty God,
to know you is eternal life.
Teach us to know your Son Jesus Christ
as the Way, the Truth, and the Life;
that following him
we may steadfastly walk
in the way that leads to eternal life;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Modified from Book of Common Prayer, St. Philip and St. James

“…as the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” is a reference to John 14:6

Let the Brightness of Your Glory Shine

Almighty God,
let the brightness of your glory shine on us,
and let the Light from Light by your Holy Spirit
shine in the hearts of all who have been born again by your grace;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Roman Mass for the Vigil of Pentecost

Original in Latin:

PRÆSTA, quæsumus, omnipotens Deus, ut claritatis tuæ super nos splendor effulgeat; et lux tuæ lucis corda eorum, qui per gratium tuam renati sunt, Sancti Spiritus illustratione confirmet. Per Dominum.

“let the brightness of your glory shine on us” may be a reference to Numbers 6:25 and Psalm 67:1

“Light from Light” is a reference to the Nicene Creed, and is referring to Jesus Christ

“shine in the hearts of all is a reference to 2 Corinthians 4:6

“let the brightness of your glory shine on us” may have been the source of the lines from Luther’s hymn, “Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord,”

“Lord, by the brightness of your light
In holy faith your church unite”

Guard Our Hearts

Almighty God,
our heavenly Father,
you feed the birds and clothe the flowers,
and you care for us as a father for his children.
Guard our hearts against faithlessness and anxiety.
By your Holy Spirit, help us
to live to the hallowing of your name,
the coming of your kingdom,
and the doing of your will,
so that we may cast all our cares on you
and in unwavering faith, trust in you;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Austria, 1571. Translation by Paul Zeller Strodach for Common Service Book.

“You feed the birds and clothe the flowers” is a reference to Matthew 6:26-28

“To live to the hallowing of your name…” is a reference to Matthew 6:9-13

“cast all our cares on you” is a reference to 1 Peter 5:7

“Faithlessness and anxiety” in the original is “distrust and vain over-carefulness”

This prayer is very similar to a prayer in A Book of Collects in Two Parts by John Wallace Suter, Freedom from Anxious Care:

ALMIGHTY GOD, who dost feed the birds and clothe the flowers, and who carest for us as a father for his children; Graciously guard us, we beseech thee, against distrust and vain over-carefulness, that casting all our care on thee, we may abide in thy love, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

Help and Shield Us

O God,
you justify the ungodly,
and you do not desire the death of the sinner.
Graciously help and shield your servants who trust in your mercy,
that no temptations may separate us from you,
and that we may serve you without ceasing;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Unknown

“You justify the ungodly” is a reference to Romans 4:5

“You do not desire the death of the sinner” is a reference to Ezekiel 33:11

Steadfast Love, Pure Desires

O God,
you make all things to work together for the good of those who love you:
Pour such steadfast love toward you into our hearts
that the pure desires your Spirit has stirred up in us
may not be turned aside by any temptation;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Unknown

The prayer quotes Romans 8:28

Faith, Hope and Love

Almighty God,
grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ,
a cheerful hope in your mercy
and a sincere love for you and for one another;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Unknown

“steadfast faith… …cheerful hope… …sincere love…” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13

Take, Enlighten, Teach

Take from us
all impurity of thought and desire,
all envy, pride and hypocrisy,
all falsehood and deceit,
all covetousness, arrogance and laziness,
all malice and anger,
everything that is against your will,
O most holy Lord.

Enlighten our understanding
that we may know
the greatness of your love in Christ,
the mysteries of your kingdom,
and the riches of your eternal glory.

Teach us what you would have us do,
and uphold us with your mighty power,
that in everything we do
we begin, proceed, and end
with your blessing.
Amen.

Source of this version: A Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1896, p. 263 #3

“that in everything we do…” in the Book of Common Order is “that every work of ours may begin always from Thee, and in Thee be happily ended.”

With You There Is No Darkness

O God,
with you there is no darkness,
but the night shines like the day.
Keep and defend us and all your saints
in soul and body
during the coming night.
May we rest knowing your favor,
in the peace of a clear conscience,
in the hope of your blessing,
in faith in your providence,
in the love of your Spirit.

May we rise again
diligently carrying out our callings,
to do God’s work while it is day,
for the night comes when no one can work.
Whether we wake or sleep,
we live together with Christ.
Amen.

Source of this version: A Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1896, p. 193 #4

“No darkness” may be a reference to 1 John 1:5

Variant:

O God, with whom there is no darkness, but the night shines as the day: keep and defend us and all your children, we beseech you, throughout the coming night. Renew our hearts with your forgiveness and our bodies with untroubled sleep, that we may wake to use more faithfully your gift of life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source of this version: http://ourladyofloreto.org/bulletins_2014/Mar_16.pdf

“Work while it is day…” is a reference to John 9:4

For those in Affliction

Almighty and eternal God,
you are the comfort of the sorrowful
and the strength of the weak.
Graciously hear the prayers of those
who call out to you in any trouble or distress,
that in all their needs
they may receive your abundant help
and know your immeasurable comfort;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Modified from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia, 1919, p. 223 #62

Comforter, Abide in Us

Heavenly King, Comforter,
the Spirit of truth,
present in all places and filling all things,
treasury of goodness and giver of life:
come and abide in us.
Cleanse us from every stain of sin
and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Source: Romanian Orthodox Church, Book of Hours, 1865

Source of this version: http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Introductory%20Prayers.html

Also found here: http://oca.org/orthodoxy/prayers/trisagion

Also found here: Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 144 #2