O God,
you make us glad
with the yearly expectation
of the birthday of Christ,
your only Son.
Grant that we,
who hail him with joy
as our Redeemer,
may also behold him without fear
when he comes to be our Judge;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: Gelasian
Source of this version: Freely modified from A Century of Collects, [4] selected and translated by Atwell M. Y. Baylay, 1913.
Almighty God,
grant that the new birth
of your only Son in the flesh
may set us free
from our old slavery under sin;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Source: Historic Collect for Christmas Day (Christmas III), Gelasian, 8th Century.
Source of this version: Newly translated for A Collection of Prayers.
Original in Latin:
Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut nos Unigeniti tui nova per carnem nativitas liberet, quos sub peccati iugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per…
O God,
you have made this holy night
shine with the brightness
of the true Light.
Grant that we
who have known the mysteries of that Light
here on earth
may come to the fullness
of his joys in heaven;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Source: Historic Collect for Christmas Eve (Christmas I), Gelasian, 8th Century
Source of this version: Newly translated for A Collection of Prayers
Original in Latin:
Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere, da, quaesumus, ut, cuius in terra mysteria lucis agnovimus, eius quoque gaudiis perfruamur in caelo. Qui tecum…
Bosco Peters gives the original with various translations in this article.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to make ready the way of your only Son,
so that by his coming we may worship you with pure minds;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Source: Historic Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent, Gelasian, 8th Century
Source of this version: Newly translated for A Collection of Prayers
Original in Latin:
Excita, Dómine, corda nostra ad præparándas Unigéniti tui vias: ut per ejus advéntum, purificátis tibi méntibus servíre mereámur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat.
Almighty God,
fulfill our desire
and kindle our hearts by your Spirit,
that being filled with the oil of your grace,
we may shine as bright lights
at the coming of your Son Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Source: Gelasian
Source of this version: Freely modified from A Century of Collects, [3] selected and translated by Atwell M. Y. Baylay, 1913.
O Lord,
give me
purity of lips,
a clean and innocent heart,
and rightness of action.
Give me
humility, patience, abstinence,
chastity, prudence, justice,
courage and self-control.
Give me
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and strength,
the Spirit of knowledge and godliness,
and of your fear.
Always lead me to seek your face
with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind.
Let me have a contrite and humble heart in your presence—
to prefer nothing to your love.
Most high, eternal, and ineffable Wisdom,
drive away from me the darkness of blindness and ignorance.
Most high and eternal Strength, rescue me.
Most high and eternal Courage, help me.
Most high and incomprehensible Light, illuminate me,
Most high and infinite Mercy, have mercy on me. Amen.
Source: Gallican Sacramentary
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O God,
you always bestow your mercy on those who love you,
and are near those who serve you.
Direct the way of your servant in your will.
Protect and guide him,
that he may walk without stumbling
in the paths of righteousness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gallican Sacramentary, 8th century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O most merciful God,
incline your loving ears to my prayers
and enlighten my heart with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that I may worthily administer your sacraments,
love you with an everlasting love,
and be received to everlasting joys;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Gallican Collect/York Missal, Eighth Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (The New Ancient Collects, #557)
Almighty God,
with Fatherly tenderness
receive those who flee from your anger,
that those who dread the scourge that comes from your majesty
may rejoice in your forgiveness;
through 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 Lord,
shine your light into our hearts
that we may see the light of your commandments,
walk in your way and fall into no error;
through 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
A Collection of Prayers 