ordinary time – Page 7 – A Collection of Prayers

Prayer for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Light of the blind,
the Way for those who stray,
and the resurrection of the dead.
Enlighten the darkness of our hearts and minds,
bring sinners to repentance,
so that we may live in you and for you;
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
we worship and glorify you,
ever one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 36 # 2 (Trinity 19)

“Light of the blind” is a reference to Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, Luke 7:22, John 9:39, Romans 2:19,

“way for those who stray” is a reference to Psalm 23:3, John 14:6, Hebrews 12:13

“resurrection” is a reference to John 11:25

“enlighten…” is a reference to John 1

“bring sinners to repentance” is a reference to Psalm 51:13, Luke 5:32

“live in you and for you” is a reference to Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:21

Direct Our Hearts

O Lord,
direct our hearts by the working of your grace,
since without you, we are not able to please you;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Prayer for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Christ,
the alpha and the omega,
the beginning and the ending,
the root and the offspring of David,
our King and our Savior,
may we serve you faithfully here,
and continue to be yours forever;
through your merits, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 36 #1 (Trinity 18)

“alpha and the omega” is a reference to Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13

“root and offspring of David” is a reference to Revelation 5:5, Revelation 22:16, John 7:42, 2 Timothy 2:8. See this link for references to “Son of David”

May We Not Forget Eternal Things

Lord God, heavenly Father,
rule and govern our hearts by your Holy Spirit,
that we may not, like the rich man,
hear your Word in vain
and become so devoted to worldly things
that we forget eternal things,
but that we serve those who are in need
and not defile ourselves with carousing and pride.
Keep us from despair
when we experience trials and misfortunes
and move us to trust wholly in your fatherly help and grace,
so that in faith and Christian patience
we may overcome all things;
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Trinity 1

This revision/translation of The Collects of Veit Dietrich is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

May We Pursue Your Promises without Stumbling

Almighty and eternal God,
it is by your gifts alone
that your faithful people perform
true and praiseworthy service.
Grant that we may pursue your promises without stumbling;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, 6th-7th Century, Historic Collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Give Us Strength

Lord,
give your people strength
to withstand the temptations of the devil,
that with pure hearts and minds
we follow you, the only God;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

May We Ask for and Receive What Pleases You

O Lord,
let your merciful ears be open
to the prayers of your humble servants.
Teach us to ask for what pleases you,
that we may receive what we ask for;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary, 8th Century, Historic Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Increase in Us Faith, Hope, and Love

Almighty and eternal God,
increase in us faith, hope, and love.
Lead us to love what you command
so that we may obtain what you promise;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, 6th-7th Century, Historic Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Prayer for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord,
you love unity
and dwell in the hearts of those who are peaceful.
Give all your faithful people
true peace and mutual love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 35 #3 (Trinity 17)

“dwell in the hearts…” is a reference to Ephesians 3:17 and Colossians 3:16

“unity” may be a reference to Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:13 and 1 Peter 3:8

Preserve Us from Greed

Lord God, heavenly Father,
you generously give us
your blessing and our daily bread.
Preserve us from greed and awaken our hearts
that we willingly share your blessed gifts
with our neighbors in need.
Make us faithful stewards of your gifts
and be gracious to us when our time of stewardship is done
and we come before your judgment;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549