comfort – A Collection of Prayers

September 29

Holy Father, you show yourself to your children by discipline, which is sometimes unpleasant and painful. We turn to you in our anxiety and commit our troubles to your help. You have been with us in good times and in bad. Do not let our faith fail, even if our path is rough, but sustain us with the comfort and peace which are in Jesus Christ. God, grant that the fiery trial that is happening among us to test us will lead us to courage and patience, and let our patience bear good fruit, that we lack nothing, and draw closer to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Henry Wilder Foote (1858–1889), 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 25

God, in your great love for this world you reconciled earth to heaven through your only Son. By the darkness of our sins we are often turned aside from brotherly love. Let your light shine in our souls and fill us with your own sweetness. Embrace our friends in you and our enemies for your sake, and bind us together in mutual affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic before A.D. 700, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, strengthen and support all who are unjustly accused or undervalued. Comfort them with the constant thought that you know the whole truth, and in your own good time you will make their righteousness shine like light. Give them grace to pray for those who do them wrong, and hear and bless them when they pray. Amen.

Source: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), 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 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 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.

Prayer Reflecting on the Shooting in Las Vegas, October 1

Guard us, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve us from violent men. Psalm 140

O Lord, you know the minds of all,
and your plans are often hidden from us.
But you have given us this promise:
“For those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
We cry out to you,
calm the rage of all who plan evil.
Heal the wounded.
Comfort those who mourn.
Strengthen those who serve.
Draw us closer to you.
Move our hearts to love and mercy,
and our actions to compassion and service.
Remind us all that
“the present form of this world is passing away,” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
and that around your throne,
Good Shepherd,
you will wipe every tear from our eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
Amen.

Stay with Me in My Distress

wilhelm_loehe Lord Jesus Christ,
you have come to comfort and save all troubled souls.
Come also to me and stay with me in my distress.
Fill my troubled heart with the Word of your promise,
“I am with you always.”
Fill my home with your blessing,
and my whole life with Christian humility.
Amen.

Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#241)

“Fill my troubled heart with the Word of your promise, ‘I am with you always.'” in the original is “Fill my miserable heart with the beauties of Thy comforting presence…”

A Prayer for Comfort

Almighty God,
Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort:
deal graciously, we pray, with those who mourn,
that, casting all their care on you,
they may know the consolation of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Source: http://funeralhelper.org/prayer-almighty-god.html

Also found here: http://www.beliefnet.com/prayers/christian/death/prayer-for-those-who-mourn.aspx#hwckbYYCie2SB1v1.99

prayer for the dead in middle ages

prayers for the dead