guidance – A Collection of Prayers

September 6

Eternal and most glorious God, do not let me undervalue myself that I give away my soul for nothing, for I am your soul, your dear and precious soul. All the world is nothing, so why would I give my soul for it? Preserve my soul, Lord, for it belongs to you, and preserve my body because it belongs to my soul. You alone pilot my boat through its voyage, but a pilot has a greater concern for a boat when it comes to a narrow current, or to a dangerous waterfall. You care for the preservation of my body throughout my life. When death draws near, open your eyes wider, and watch me carefully that no illness or agony may shake or numb my soul. Prepare my bed, that in any sickness or hardship, under your hand, I may be content with any bed you make. Amen.

Source: John Donne (1573–1631), 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.

Praise and Guidance

Almighty, most holy,
most high, and supreme God,
highest good, all good, wholly good,
you alone are good,
to you we render all praise, all glory,
all thanks, all honor, all blessing,
and we shall always ascribe all good to you.

Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God,
help us wretches to do for you
what we know is your will
and always desire whatever is pleasing to you.
Purify us within, enlighten us within,
kindle us with the flame of your Holy Spirit,
so we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by your grace alone
come to you, the Most High,
who in perfect Trinity and simple unity lives and reigns and glorifies God Almighty for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: Francis of Assisi, 13th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Strength and Guidance

Lord God Almighty,
shaper and ruler of all creatures,
we pray for your great mercy,
that you guide us towards you,
for we cannot find our way.
And guide us to your will, to the need of our soul,
for we cannot do it ourselves. [1]
And make our mind steadfast in your will
and aware of our soul’s need.
Strengthen us against the temptations of the devil,
and remove from us all lust and every unrighteousness,
and shield us against our foes, seen and unseen.
Teach us to do your will,
that we may inwardly love you before all things with a pure mind.
For you are our maker and our redeemer,
our help, our comfort, our trust, our hope;
praise and glory be to you now and forever.

Source: Alfred the Great, 9th century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (New Ancient Collects, #264)

[1] Original translation: “that Thou guide us better than we have done, towards Thee, and guide us to Thy will, to the need of our soul, better than we can ourselves.”

For Guidance and Protection

Lord, our redemption.
Be our protection.
Direct our minds by your gracious presence.
Watch over our paths
and guide us with your love
through the hidden snares of life.
Fix our hearts on you as we go forward,
that following in faith,
we may arrive at your goal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954, also in The New Ancient Collects, #292

For Right Blessings

O Lord our God,
teach us to ask you for the right blessings.
Steer the vessel of our life toward yourself,
the tranquil haven of all storm-tossed souls.
Show us the course we should go.
Renew a willing spirit within us.
Let your Spirit curb our wayward senses
and guide and empower us to our true good,
to keep your laws,
and in all we do always rejoice in your glorious, joyful presence;
for yours is the glory and praise from all your saints forever and ever. Amen.

Source: Basil of Caesarea, d. 379

Always Lead Me to Seek Your Face

O Lord,
give me
purity of lips,
a clean and innocent heart,
and rightness of action.

Give me
humility, patience, abstinence,
chastity, prudence, justice,
courage and self-control.

Give me
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and strength,
the Spirit of knowledge and godliness,
and of your fear.

Always lead me to seek your face
with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind.
Let me have a contrite and humble heart in your presence—
to prefer nothing to your love.

Most high, eternal, and ineffable Wisdom,
drive away from me the darkness of blindness and ignorance.
Most high and eternal Strength, rescue me.
Most high and eternal Courage, help me.
Most high and incomprehensible Light, illuminate me,
Most high and infinite Mercy, have mercy on me. [315.]

Source: Gallican, from the time of Charlemagne, freely modified from Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright p. 96#1.

Also attributed to Alcuin of York.

God Guide Me

God guide me with your wisdom, CelticCapital11
God discipline me with your justice,
God help me with your mercy,
God protect me with your strength.

God fill me with your fullness,
God shield me with your shade,
God fill me with your grace,
for the sake of your Anointed Son.

Jesu Christ, the Son of David,
visiting Boy in the Temple,
sacrificial Lamb in the Garden,
who died for me.

Source: Unknown, Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p. 65. English translation modified.

Graphic is from Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations…, Vol. I, p. 64