prayers ancient and modern – A Collection of Prayers

September 30

Eternal God, you created me to do your work among people, and to serve you now according to my abilities. Teach me to use my time wisely, to resist all temptations, and to serve my fellow Christians. As I carry out all my duties, may I glorify your name. Give me a watchful and active spirit, and wisdom as I choose my work, that I may do everything with the dignity of a Christian, and fill my time with actions of faith and charity, using and multiplying all the talents you have given me, my Lord, and finally enter my master’s happiness; for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

Source: Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667), 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 29

Holy Father, you show yourself to your children by discipline, which is sometimes unpleasant and painful. We turn to you in our anxiety and commit our troubles to your help. You have been with us in good times and in bad. Do not let our faith fail, even if our path is rough, but sustain us with the comfort and peace which are in Jesus Christ. God, grant that the fiery trial that is happening among us to test us will lead us to courage and patience, and let our patience bear good fruit, that we lack nothing, and draw closer to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Henry Wilder Foote (1858–1889), 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 28

Lord, deliver us from fear of the unknown future, from fear of failure, from fear of poverty, from fear of bereavement, from fear of loneliness, from fear of sickness and pain, from fear of old age, and from fear of death, and fill our hearts with cheerful courage, and loving trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Mary Wilder Tileston (1843-1934), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord and Master, be our help and provider. Save those among us who are in trouble, have mercy on the lonely, lift up the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the ungodly, convert your people who wander, feed the hungry, raise up the weak, comfort the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles know that you are God alone, and Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. Amen.

Source: Clement of Rome (c. A. D. 35-99), 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 27

Almighty God, you are the strength of all who trust in you. Give us confidence in your wisdom, goodness, and abiding love, that we may endure all things with quiet spirits, meditating on your divine peace and heavenly rest. Uphold us by your mercy, that we never faint or fear, but faithfully do the duties of life. When our last hour comes, support us with your everlasting arms and guide us into life eternal. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 26

Lord, set my soul on you. Do not let me weary myself with the cares, anxieties, and harassment of this life, for I hope to live in your eternal love. Do not let me be anxious about anything, but be confident in your love, and in your Spirit’s loving work in me. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, be our refuge from the storm, our shadow from the heat. When we are safe in your arms, we are sometimes foolishly timid. Help us overcome our unbelief, and in your tenderness assure us of your protection. You make all things work together for good to those who love you. Do not let troubles injure our souls. Do not let sorrow wear out our hearts. Amen.

Source: Hunter’s Devotional Services, 1892, 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 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 24

With confidence in your goodness and mercy, Lord, I come to you, as a sick person to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a creature to the creator, a desolate soul to my own tender comforter. All I can desire is in you. You are my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength. Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Source: Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, you cleanse us from all sin. Comfort us who faithfully call on you. Blot out our transgressions and restore us from death to the land of the living; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Breviary, A.D. 1085, 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 22

Lord, keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from speaking lies. As your holy angels always sing your praises in heaven, may we always glorify you on earth. Amen.

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

Into your hands of blessed protection and unspeakable mercy, Lord, I commend this day my soul and my body, with all the faculties, powers, and actions of them both. Always be with me. Direct, sanctify, and govern me in the ways of your laws, and in the works of your commandments; that, through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, I may be preserved in body and soul, to serve you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Private Devotions, 1560, 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 21

We awake, and we are still with you, most merciful God. Your protecting hand is over us. Be the desire of our hearts and the ruler of our thoughts. Heavenly Father, our source of strength, give us your love and peace. We do not know what may happen today, whether trouble, temptation or sorrow. You watch over our paths. You can shield our senses from temptation. Give us a correct sense of duty, shield us in all conflict, and guard us against sin and death. Lead us not into temptation, or when we are tempted, deliver us from evil.

Source: Rowland Williams (1818-1870), 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 20

Lord, remember all for good. Have mercy on all, O God. Remember all who are in any affliction, trouble, or agony, who stand in need of your mercy and help, all who are in need or distress, all who love or hate us.

You, Lord, are the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, the Savior of all who are tossed with tempests, the Harbor of those who sail. Be All to all. May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Lord, stay within me to strengthen me, beside me to keep me, above me to protect me, beneath me to uphold me, before me to direct me, behind me to keep me from straying, round about me to defend me. Blessed are you, Lord our Father, forever and ever. Amen.

Source: Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626), 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.