christina rosetti – A Collection of Prayers

September 9

Lord, give us grace to hear and obey your voice which says to every one of us “This is the way, walk in it.” Do not let us hear it behind us, saying, “This is the way,” but rather before us, saying, “Follow me.” When you lead us, go before us. When the way is too difficult for us, carry us. In the shadow of death, comfort us. In the day of resurrection, satisfy us. Amen.

Source: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, sanctify and shepherd your people, that we who are strengthened by your help may walk with you daily, and serve you with a quiet spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

September 2

Lord, teach us to remember your almighty help and comfort promised to us, your protecting presence surrounding us, your all-seeing eye watching us, your divine heart yearning for us, that we may not be afraid of anyone’s anger, or shrink from anyone’s ridicule, but courageously do the work you have given us, and after we have suffered, enter your rest. Amen.

Source: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Heavenly Father, author and source of all truth, bottomless sea of all understanding, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, and enlighten our understandings with the beams of your heavenly grace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Nicholas Ridley (1500–1555), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

Give us Grace and Strength to Overcome

O Lord,
give us all grace and strength
to overcome every sin.
Sins of aggression, purpose,
surprise, negligence, omission,
sins against you,
ourselves,
our neighbors,
sins great, small,
remembered, forgotten.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 81 #2

“Sins of aggression, purpose,” in the original is “sins of besetment, deliberation”

Our Refuge in Every Storm

O Lord, you are our refuge in every storm.
Hide us in your own presence
from all the violence in the world.
By your holy love and fear,
keep us from sins of temper
and of the tongue.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 55 #2

“from all the violence in the world” in the original is “from the provoking of all men.”

Fill Empty Hearts

O Lord,
you see that all hearts are empty
unless you fill them,
and all desires are thwarted
until they crave you.
Give us light and grace
to seek and find you,
that we may be yours
and you may be ours forever.
Amen.

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 28 #2

Our Hope Is in You

O Lord, our hope is in you.
Remove far from us empty hopes
and presumptuous confidence.
Make our hearts so right
with your most holy and loving heart,
that hoping in you we may do good,
until that day when faith and hope
shall be abolished by sight and possession,
and love shall be all in all.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 2 #1

Make Our Consciences Quick and Tender

Make our consciences quick and tender, O Lord,
that understanding we may obey your every word,
and discerning we may follow every suggestion
of your indwelling Spirit.
Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.
Amen.

Source: Christina G. Rosetti

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers Ancient and Modern
by Mary Wilder Tileston, Boston, Little Brown, 1914, p. 5 #2

“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” is a reference to 1 Samuel 3:9