collect – Page 26 – A Collection of Prayers

Creator, Watch over Us

Creator of the universe, watch over us
and keep us in the light of your presence.
May our praise continually blend
with that of all creation,
until we come together to the eternal joys
which you promise in your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Celtic prayer

Source of this version: http://www.pettchapel.org.uk/Extras/Prayers/Prayers_of_Praise.htm

Variant:

Creator of the universe, watch over us
and keep us in the light of your presence.
Let our praise continually blend
with that of all creation,
and bring us, with all for whom we pray,
to the eternal joys
which you promise in your love;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Source of this version: http://www.revjones.fsnet.co.uk/prayers/prayers.html

Your Word is Our Light

O Lord, you have given us your Word
for a light to shine upon our path;
grant us so to meditate on that Word,
and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light
that shines more and more until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: St. Jerome

Source of this version: http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/november09p8a.htm

Also found here: http://spckpublishing.co.uk/blog/spck-prayer/a-prayer-of-st-jerome-347-420/

This prayer is a reflection on Psalm 119:105.

Send Your Holy Angels

Hear us, holy Lord,
Father almighty,
everlasting God,
and send your holy angels from heaven
to guard, cherish, protect, visit
and defend all who dwell in this house;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 104 #1

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Yours is the Day, Yours is the Night

Yours is the day, O Lord,
and yours is the night.
Let your Sun of righteousness
remain in our hearts
to drive away the darkness
of wicked thoughts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 10 #4

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Scatter the Darkness

O God, by the light of your Word
you scatter the darkness of ignorance.
Increase in our hearts the power of faith
which you have given us,
that no temptations may put out the fire
your grace has caused to burn in our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 7 #3

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

A Prayer for God’s Chosen People

O God,
you have made all those who are born again in Christ
to be your chosen people, royal priesthood and holy nation.
Grant us both the will and the power to do what you command,
that your people who are called to eternal life
may have the same faith in their hearts
and the same devotion in their actions;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects and Other Prayers, Ed. by W. Bright: J.H. & Jas. Parker, London, 1901, p. 99 #2

“chosen people,”etc., This prayer quotes 1 Peter 2:9. In this version, the reference was expanded. In the original, the line is “…to be a royal and priestly race.”

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Hearts and Minds Unshadowed

O God,
you divide the day from the night.
Give us hearts and minds
unshadowed by the gloom of evil,
that we may think continually upon things
that are good and wholesome,
and be always pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Original Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from http://newscriptorium.com/assets/docs/collects-and-prayers/prmanual.htm

Also found here: Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 6 #2

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Enlighten Our Minds

Enlighten our minds, O God,
by your Spirit who proceeds from you,
that as your Son has promised,
we may be led into all truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Original Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Also found here: http://www.projectwittenberg.org/etext/hymnals/CSB1919/CSBCollectsandPrayers.pdf

This prayer quotes John 16:13.

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

Evening Thanks

We give you thanks, O Lord,
for you have preserved us through the day.
We give you thanks
for you will preserve us through the night.
Bring us in safety, O Lord,
to the morning hours,
That you may receive our praise at all times;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Original Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 10 #5

Graphic, Gelasian Sacramentary, from Wikipedia.com

A Prayer of the Dying

220px-sandro_botticelli_050 O Lord, you suffered all things for me.
Prepare me for your coming again,
that I may be found where you want to find me.
Yours is the glory and the kingdom
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: St. Augustine of Hippo, 354-430

Source of this version: Freely paraphrased from several versions.

Graphic by Sandro Botticeli from Wikipedia.com.