darkness – A Collection of Prayers

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 5

Eternal God, darkness and light are the same to you, yet you send us your mercy by day and at night your song is with me. There is no light but yours, without, within. As you lift the curtain of night, take the veil from our hearts. Let your day dawn on our souls. Awaken all our labor and our prayer. Although everything else declines, let the noonday sun of your grace and peace remain. Let us follow Jesus while it is day, just as he finished your most divine work in his few years. Amen.

Source: Adapted from James Martineau (1805-1900), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, make us reflect your heavenly kingdom here through mutual love, that all hatred may be banished, and all hearts full of love, joy and gladness. Amen.

Source: Ludovicus (Juan Luis) Vives, 1492-1540, 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 3

Lord God, grant that we may enjoy health of mind and body, deliver us from our present sadness, and finally bring us to the joy of your eternal gladness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Almighty God, send us your good Spirit, that we flee to your loving arms as children, filled with trust, hope, and faith. In dark times draw us to you, that we trust you when we cannot see, and we hope in you when all seems doubtful. You are our Father who does all things well, and you order all things. Knowing that all things are in your hands, we await your time. Amen.

Source: George Dawson (1821–1876), 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 1

Lord, my God! What horrors of darkness surrounded me. They covered me all over, and I saw no way out. I felt the misery of people separated from your grace, and it was heavier than I could bear. I was crushed under it. I lifted my hand, I stretched out my arm, but there was no one to help me. I looked around and was amazed. Then, in the depths of misery, Father, I heard your Word calling me your child, declaring your love to me, and quieting my soul. You delivered me. You had pity on me when no one else could help me. Your Son suffered great humiliation to save me, and you called me to follow him.

Source: Adapted from John Woolman (1720–1772).

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.