cleansing – A Collection of Prayers

September 24

With confidence in your goodness and mercy, Lord, I come to you, as a sick person to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a creature to the creator, a desolate soul to my own tender comforter. All I can desire is in you. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength. Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Source: Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, you cleanse us from all sin. Comfort us who faithfully call on you. Blot out our transgressions and restore us from death to the land of the living; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary, A.D. 1085, 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 23

Loving Lord, prepare a place for yourself in my heart. Empty my heart of every feeling, thought, emotion, desire, purpose, anxiety, hope, fear, which may interfere with your love. Open my heart to receive you, let nothing shut you out, and let nothing be shut to you. You alone can prepare my heart for yourself. Cleanse me by your Spirit that I may love you, be filled with you, enlightened, and warmed by you. Dwell in me forever. Amen.

Source: Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Look on me, Lord, and pity me. Make me yours and let me remain yours forever. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Thomas Wilson (1663–1755), 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 10

Lord, I lay before you all sins and offences I have committed against you, from the day I first could sin to this very hour. Consume and burn them all with the fire of your love. Do away with all the stains of my sins, cleanse my conscience from all offences, restore to me your grace, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully give me your kiss of peace.

I also lay before you all that is good in me, for you have made me right and sanctified me. Make me grateful and accepting of you, always growing more and more. By your grace, bring me also to a good and blessed end. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), 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.