collect – Page 5 – A Collection of Prayers

Ascension Antiphon / Prayer

Ascension_Painting O King of glory, Lord almighty,
on this day you ascended above all the heavens in triumph.
Do not leave us as orphans,
but send us the Spirit of truth
whom you promised from the Father.
Alleluia.

Source: Antiphon to the Magnificat for Second Vespers at Ascension (Roman Rite). Sometimes attributed to The Venerable Bede (672-735).

Original in Latin:

O Rex gloriae, Domine virtutum,
qui triumphator hodie super omnes coelos ascendisti;
ne derelinquas nos orphanos,
sed mitte promissum Patris in nos,
spiritum veritatis.
Alleluia.

For more reflections on this prayer / antiphon, see this article: http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/603a.html

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

O Christ, true Son of God,
Lamb who was slain, now risen in glory,
listen to our prayers.
Grant that we may die to all that is evil,
and rise to good works;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 27 #2 (Easter 3)

“Lamb who was slain, now risen in glory” is a reference to Revelation 5:12

“die to all that is evil” is a reference to Romans 6:11

Prayer for the Third Sunday of Easter

O God, our Light and our Salvation,
by your holy inspiration
teach us what we ought to do,
and by your grace give us the power to do it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 27 #1 (Easter 2)

“O God, our Light and our Salvation” is a reference to Psalm 27:1

Prayer for the Second Sunday of Easter

O Lion of the tribe of Judah, O Root of David,
enlighten our hearts and minds with your true wisdom,
that we who rejoice in your Resurrection,
may join with your blessed ones,
and with all the heavenly host in your kingdom
in praising your glorious name;
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign,
ever one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 26 #2 (Easter 1)

“O Lion of the tribe of Judah, O Root of David” is a reference to Revelation 5:5

You Destroyed Sin and Death

Almighty God,
through the death of your Son,
you destroyed sin and death,
and restored innocence and eternal life
through his resurrection,
so that we might be saved
from the power of the devil,
and live in your kingdom.
Grant that we may believe this with all our heart,
and in such steadfast faith
continually praise you,
and give thanks to you;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Martin Luther [Die Gebete Luthers, #15]

Source of this version: Translated for A Collection of Prayers. German source: Gebetbuch, enthaltend die sämtlichen Gebete und Seufzer Martin Luther’s, ….Evangelischer Bücher-Verein, 1866, #605.

Also in Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda, p. 289. Translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Allmächtiger Gott, der du durch den Tod deines Sohnes die Sünde und den Tod zunichte gemacht, und durch sein Auferstehen Unschuld und ewiges Leben wieder gebracht, hast auf daß wir von der Gewalt des Teufels erlöset, in deinem Reiche leben: verleihe uns daß wir solches alles von ganzem Herzen glauben, und in solchem Glauben beständig dich allezeit loben und dir danken durch denselben deinen Sohn, Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen. Luther.

An Easter Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you died for the sins of the whole world,
and on this day you rose from the dead.
By your Resurrection put the sin within us to death.
As you destroyed the power of death by your cross and passion,
share with us your blessed life;
through your merits, O blessed Savior,
you live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 26 #1 (Easter Day)

“you died for the sins of the whole world” John 1:29, 1 John 2:2

“As you destroyed the power of death” 1 Corinthians 15:26, Hebrews 2:14

An Easter Eve Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,
for our sins you endured the cross and the grave,
and on the third day you rose again from the tomb.
Just as you have cleansed us from our sin by your blood,
and as we are buried with you in baptism,
so by your grace, let us share in your resurrection;
through your mercy,
O our God, you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 25 #3

“cleansed us from our sin by your blood” is a reference to 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 7:14

“buried with you in baptism” is a reference to Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12

Give Our Hearts Faith in Christ’s Work

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion2 Merciful, eternal God,
you did not spare your own Son,
but gave him up for us all
to bear our sins on the cross.
Give our hearts such faith
that we may never be frightened
or despair;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Martin Luther

Also found in Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda, p. 288(1).

Original in German:

Barmherziger, ewiger Gott, der du deines einigen Sohnes nicht verschonet hast, sondern für uns alle dahingegeben, daß er unsre Sünde am Kreuz tragen sollte; verleihe, daß unser Herz in solchem Glauben nimmermehr erschrecke noch verzage, durch denselben deinen Sohn, Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen. Luther.

Look on Us with Mercy

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion2 Christ was pierced for our transgressions;
and was crushed for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

O Lord God, Father of all mercy,
graciously look on your people and household
for whom your dear Son Jesus Christ
did not refuse to be betrayed
into the hands of sinners,
and endured the shameful pain of the cross;
who lives and reigns with you,
true God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever.
Amen.

Source: Coburger Agende

Original in German:

Christus ist um unsrer Missethat willen verwundet und um unsrer Sünde willen zerschlagen.

O Herr Gott, Vater aller Barmherzigkeit: wir bitten dich, du wollest gnädig sehen auf diefes dein Volk und Hausgesind, um welches willen dein lieber Sohn Jesus Christus sich nicht geweigert hat übergeben zu werden in die Hände der Sünder,und zu dulden die schmähliche Pein des Kreuzes; der mit dir lebet und regieret, wahrer Gott in Einigkeit des heiligen Geistes ewiglich. Amen. Coburger Agende

A similar prayer is found in the Pomeranian Agenda.

Refresh Us, Strengthen Faith, Increase Love

V. For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup,
R. We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

We thank you, almighty Lord God, that you have refreshed us through the body and blood of your dear Son. We pray that through this, you would make us prosper with strong faith toward you and with fervent love among us all, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Source: Coburg Agende

Original in German:

So oft ihr von diesem Brot esset und von diesem Kelch trinket, sollt ihr des Herrn Tod verkündigen, bis daß er kommt.

Wir danken dir, allmächtiger Herr Gott, daß du uns durch den Leib und das Blut deines lieben Sohnes lässest erquicken, und bitten dich, daß du uns solches gedeihen lassest zu starkem Glauben gegen dich, und zu brünstiger Lieb unter uns allen, durch denselben deinen Sohn, Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen. Coburg Agende.

This prayer is very similar to Luther’s post-communion prayer in his German Mass.