courage – 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 28

Lord, deliver us from fear of the unknown future, from fear of failure, from fear of poverty, from fear of bereavement, from fear of loneliness, from fear of sickness and pain, from fear of old age, and from fear of death, and fill our hearts with cheerful courage, and loving trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mary Wilder Tileston (1843-1934), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord and Master, be our help and provider. Save those among us who are in trouble, have mercy on the lonely, lift up the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the ungodly, convert your people who wander, feed the hungry, raise up the weak, comfort the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles know that you are God alone, and Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. Amen.

Source: Clement of Rome (c. A. D. 35-99), 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.