new obedience – A Collection of Prayers

Pentecost

O God,
my heart is a vain heart,
a wandering and unstable heart
when it is led by its own judgment
and lacking divine counsel,
and it cannot subsist in itself.
When it seeks other ways,
it finds nothing,
but remains miserable in its labor,
and empty of peace.
It does not agree with itself,
it dissents from itself,
it alters resolutions,
changes its judgment,
frames new thoughts,
pulls down the old,
and builds them up again.
It wants and does not want,
and never remains in the same state.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and bring from heaven a ray of your light!
Come, Father of the poor,
giver of gifts,
light of the world,
blessed Comforter,
dear guest of the soul,
and its sweetest refreshment!
Our rest in labor,
our coolness in heat,
our comfort in affliction!
O most blessed Spirit,
fill full the hearts of your faithful people!
Without your influence, there is nothing in us
which is not weakness and guilt.
Oh, cleanse those who are filthy.
Refresh those who are dried up.
Heal those who are wounded.
Bend those who are stubborn.
Cherish in your heart those who are cold.
Guide those who are wandering.
Grant your servants,
who put their trust in you,
the merit of your righteousness.
Give them final salvation.
Grant them eternal joy!

O Lord, hear our prayer,
and let our cry come to you. Amen.

Source: Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

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 Knowledge of God’s Will

God,
almighty, eternal, righteous, and merciful,
help us poor sinners do all that we know of your will,
and to will always what pleases you,
so that inwardly purified, enlightened, and kindled
by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
we may follow in the footprints of your well-beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 Grace

O Lord Jesus,
grant us your grace and give us time for repentance.
We want to keep your commandments and do your bidding,
choose the better part and no longer follow evil.
Give us your strength to do this,
O loving Savior,
for your own name’s sake. Amen.

Source: Dan Jeremy, 12th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Strength

O Lord,
be our Sanctifier and the Shepherd.
Strengthen and help us,
that in our daily life walk with you,
we serve you in all quietness of spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Master. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Purified Lives

O God,
let the fire of your love burn up in us all things that displease you,
and prepare us for your heavenly Kingdom;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Loyal Service

Almighty and eternal God,
make our wills always subject to your will,
and our hearts always ready to serve you;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 11th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Grace to Walk in Holiness

O God of strength,
you surpass all understanding,
and you mercifully give your people mercy and judgment.
Empower us to faithfully love you,
and to walk this day in the way of righteousness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Acceptable Service

O glorious and almighty God,
all the spirits of the blessed
place their hope in you.
Grant us that, by your help,
we may always serve you with a pure mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Completeness

O Lord Jesus Christ,
our redemption and our salvation,
we praise you and give you thanks.
Though we are unworthy of your benefits,
and cannot offer to you the devotion you deserve,
let your loving-kindness complete whatever our weakness tries to do.
Before you, O Lord, we lay all our desires,
and whatever our heart rightly wishes, it is because of your gift.
Help us love you as you command.
Do not let your gift be unfruitful in us.
Complete what you have begun,
give what you have made us desire,
convert our lukewarmness into fervent love of you;
for the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.