eternal life – A Collection of Prayers

September 13

Almighty God, there are pleasures at your right hand forever. Fill our faith with your joy and brightness. Drive from our minds all doubt, gloom and despair, and fill us with joy to live as your redeemed and forgiven children. Fill our lips with your praises and our hearts with joy as we wait for the life that knows no ending; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source unknown, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Our Father, in your presence is perfect joy. Make us happy every hour of the day in the joy of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mary Wilder Tileston (1843-1934), 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 11

My God, you are always new, even though you are most ancient. You alone are my food for eternity. I am to live forever; not for a time—and I have no power over my being. I must live on, with intellect and consciousness forever, despite myself. Without you, eternity would be another name for eternal misery. In you alone I have something to sustain me forever; you alone are the food of my soul. You alone are inexhaustible, and you always offer me something new to know, something new to love. And so, for eternity I will ever be like a little child starting to learn the basics of your infinite Divine nature. For you yourself are the seat and center of all good, and the only substance in this universe of shadows, and the heaven in which blessed spirits live and rejoice. Amen.

Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890), 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 4

Almighty God, since we are bathed in the new light of your eternal truth, show yourself to us clearly, that with heart and mind we follow you in word and deed. Amen.

Rowland Williams (1818-1870), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Almighty God, giver of all wisdom, enlighten my understanding with knowledge of right, and govern my will by your laws, that no deceit may mislead me, no temptation may corrupt me, that I may always endeavor to do good, and to hinder evil. Amid all the hopes and fears of this world, do not take your Holy Spirit from me, but grant that my thoughts may be fixed on you, and that I may finally enter your eternal happiness, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), 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.