O God,
you do not desire the death of a sinner.
Protect with your heavenly aid
those who may now be exposed to special temptations.
Grant that in the fulfillment of your commandments
they may be strengthened by the assistance of your grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
Almighty God,
kindle our souls by your Spirit,
that being filled with your divine gifts,
we may shine like blazing lamps
in the presence of your Son Christ at his coming;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gelasian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O Christ,
my Creator and Redeemer,
almighty Lord God,
forgive the sins of all
who are joined to me by friendship or blood,
and for whom I pray, or have resolved to pray, —
and all your faithful people.
Deliver them from all evil,
preserve them in all good,
and bring them to eternal joy;
for your honor and glory. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God,
you rule over your people with fatherly love.
Give the spirit of wisdom
to all who have received authority of government from you,
that the welfare of your people
may turn to the eternal joy of their shepherds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God,
in wonderful ways
you created and redeemed mankind.
Give us steadfast minds
to resist the allurements of sin
that we may attain the joys of eternal life.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.
Source: Gregorian Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
O God,
your nature and property
is always to have mercy and to forgive.
Receive our humble petitions.
Even though we may be tied and bound with the chain of our sins,
let your great pity and mercy loose us;
for the honor of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, and Advocate. Amen.
Source: Gregory the Great
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954
Almighty and eternal God,
you resist the proud
but you give grace to the humble.
Grant that we be not lose our chief happiness
by growing in pride,
but rather that we ascend into heaven
by the steps of humility;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: Leonine Sacramentary, 6th century, and Mozarabic, 8th century, in Daily Prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God, who resistest the proud but givest grace unto the humble: Grant that we be not cast down from our chief happiness by the swellings of pride, but rather that we ascend into heaven by the steps of humility; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Be my vision, O Lord of my heart.
There is none other but the King of the seven heavens.
Be my meditation by day and night.
May it be you that I behold even in my sleep.
Be my speech, be my understanding.
Be with me, may I be with you.
Be my Father, may I be your son.
May you be mine, may I be yours.
Be my battle-shield, be my sword.
Be my dignity, be my delight.
Be my shelter, be my stronghold.
Raise me up to the company of the angels.
Be every good to my body and soul.
Be my kingdom in heaven and on earth.
Be solely the chief love of my heart.
Let there be none other, O high King of heaven,
Until I am able to pass into your hands,
My treasure, my beloved, through the greatness of your love.
Be alone my noble and wondrous estate.
I seek not men nor lifeless wealth.
Be the constant guardian of every possession and every life.
For our corrupt desires are dead at the mere sight of you.
Your love in my soul and in my heart —
Grant this to me, O King of the seven heavens.
O King of the seven heavens grant me this —
Your love to be in my heart and in my soul.
With the King of all, with him after victory won by piety,
May I be in the kingdom of heaven O brightness of the son.
Beloved Father, hear, hear my lamentations.
Timely is the cry of woe of this miserable wretch.
O heart of my heart, whatever befall me,
O ruler of all, be my vision.
Source: Attributed to Dallán Forgaill, 6th-8th century
English prose translation by Mary Byrne (1905), adapted
A poetic translation, “Be Thou My Vision” appears in many hymnals.
This prayer has its own page on Wikipedia.com.
Included in Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church, © 2018, Paul C. Stratman
A poetic translation into modern Irish is sung by Moya (Maire) Brennan:
Original in old Irish:
Rop tú mo baile, a Choimdiu cride:
ní ní nech aile acht Rí secht nime.
Rop tú mo scrútain i l-ló ‘s i n-aidche;
rop tú ad-chëar im chotlud caidche.
Rop tú mo labra, rop tú mo thuicsiu;
rop tussu dam-sa, rob misse duit-siu.
Rop tussu m’athair, rob mé do mac-su;
rop tussu lem-sa, rob misse lat-su.
Rop tú mo chathscíath, rop tú mo chlaideb;
rop tussu m’ordan, rop tussu m’airer.
Rop tú mo dítiu, rop tú mo daingen;
rop tú nom-thocba i n-áentaid n-aingel.
Rop tú cech maithius dom churp, dom anmain;
rop tú mo flaithius i n-nim ‘s i talmain.
Rop tussu t’ áenur sainserc mo chride;
ní rop nech aile acht Airdrí nime.
Co talla forum, ré n-dul it láma,
mo chuit, mo chotlud, ar méit do gráda.
Rop tussu t’ áenur m’ urrann úais amra:
ní chuinngim daíne ná maíne marba.
Rop amlaid dínsiur cech sel, cech sáegul,
mar marb oc brénad, ar t’ fégad t’ áenur.
Do serc im anmain, do grád im chride,
tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime.
Tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime,
do serc im anmain, do grád im chride.
Go Ríg na n-uile rís íar m-búaid léire;
ro béo i flaith nime i n-gile gréine
A Athair inmain, cluinte mo núall-sa:
mithig (mo-núarán!) lasin trúagán trúag-sa.
A Chríst mo chride, cip ed dom-aire,
a Flaith na n-uile, rop tú mo baile.
Almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
to me the least of saints,
to me allow that I may keep
even the smallest door,
the farthest, darkest, coldest door,
the door that is least used,
the stiffest door.
If only it be in your house, O God,
that I can see your glory even afar,
and hear your voice,
and know that I am with you, O God.
Source: Attributed to St. Columba, 521-597.
Source of this version: http://yourworshiptools.com/a-prayer-of-st-columba/
Included in Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church, © 2018, Paul C. Stratman
This prayer recalls Psalm 84:10.
May the fire of God’s love
burn brightly and steadfastly in our hearts
like the golden light within the sanctuary lamp.
Source: Attributed to St. Columba, 521-597.
Source of this version: https://daily-prayers.org/angels-and-saints/prayers-of-columba-colomcille-of-ireland/
A Collection of Prayers 