prayers ancient and modern – A Collection of Prayers

September 18

Almighty God, you have caused the light of eternal life to shine on the world. Kindle your heavenly desires in our hearts and spread abroad your love by your Holy Spirit, that we may always seek the things which are above. Purify our hearts and minds and bring us at last to your eternal kingdom, to dwell in the glorious light of your presence, now and forever. Amen.

Book of Prayers, 1851, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

God, your never-failing providence orders all things in heaven and earth. Put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gelasian, A.D. 492, 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 17

Dearest Lord, send me your Holy Spirit to help me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Provide ways out of temptation so that I can endure it, and give me your blessed freedom, freedom from self and sin, and the enjoyment of that communion with you.

Lord, pour out the fullness of your grace on all I love, spread abroad your love into the hearts of those dearest to me, and draw them near to yourself, that those who know you in part may see the full beauty and truth that is in you. So glorify your name, and make your love complete in them, that your servants may praise your mercy forever. Amen.

Adapted from Maria Hare (1798-1870), 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 16

God, our souls rest quietly in you alone, for our hope comes from you, and in your love is our highest joy. Lord, if we have you, we have enough. Give peace to our consciences by your gospel of grace and mercy. Preserve in our hearts that peace which passes all understanding and help us grow in holiness. Strengthen all who are sad or perplexed with the comfort of your Holy Spirit, and show us that our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. For there will come a time when you will bring us to the place of perfect rest, where we will see your face in righteousness, and be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Amen.

Source: Melchior Ritter, 1689, 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 15

We give you thanks, almighty God, for the bread we need for the body, and we ask you to give us food for the soul, Jesus Christ, the living bread that came down from heaven, for by eating this bread we will live forever. Strengthen us to endure the troubles and burdens of this life and open our eyes of faith to look forward to eternal life in heaven. Give us a childlike faith to trust even though we do not see, and to follow your path through this world. Give us your peace that surpasses all understanding, that little things in life lose their power to vex us, even in many troubles. Hear us in your loving-kindness and tender mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Adapted from 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 14

Remember, most merciful Father, I can bear nothing by myself without fainting, but I can bear all things in you if you strengthen me by your grace. Give me strength, that I may endure. I ask for patience, Lord. My heart is steadfast, O God. My heart is steadfast. I am ready to receive whatever you lay on me. Teach me patience as I look on the face of Christ your Son, that as he suffered such terrible things in the body, I may remember that he suffered these things to bear my sin. I commit my strength to you, Lord, for you are my refuge and strength. Keep me and bring me safely out of this trial when it pleases you. Amen.

Source: Adapted from from Treasury of Devotion, 1869, 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 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 12

God, our true Life, in you and by you all things live. You call us to seek you, and you are ready to be found. You tell us to knock, and open when we do so. To know you is life, to serve you is freedom, to enjoy you is a kingdom, to praise you is the joy and happiness of the soul. I praise, and bless, and worship you, I glorify you, I give thanks to you for your great glory. Abide with me, reign in me, make my heart a holy temple, a dwelling prepared for your Divine majesty. Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible! I trust in your mercy alone for safety and protection. Guard me with the power of your grace, here and in all places, now and forevermore. Amen.

Source: St. Augustine (354–430), 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 10

Lord, I lay before you all sins and offences I have committed against you, from the day I first could sin to this very hour. Consume and burn them all with the fire of your love. Do away with all the stains of my sins, cleanse my conscience from all offences, restore to me your grace, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully give me your kiss of peace.

I also lay before you all that is good in me, for you have made me right and sanctified me. Make me grateful and accepting of you, always growing more and more. By your grace, bring me also to a good and blessed end. Amen.

Source: Adapted from Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), 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 9

Lord, give us grace to hear and obey your voice which says to every one of us “This is the way, walk in it.” Do not let us hear it behind us, saying, “This is the way,” but rather before us, saying, “Follow me.” When you lead us, go before us. When the way is too difficult for us, carry us. In the shadow of death, comfort us. In the day of resurrection, satisfy us. Amen.

Source: Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, sanctify and shepherd your people, that we who are strengthened by your help may walk with you daily, and serve you with a quiet spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Roman Breviary, 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 8

Good Lord, you alone do all things well. I cast myself on your infinite mercy. I trust you with my all, myself, and all I love, and all I desire, my present and my future, my hopes and my fears, my time and my eternity, my joys and my sorrows. Deal with me as you know best. Keep me safe in your eternal love. Amen.

Source: Treasury of Devotion, 1869, revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Lord, Fountain of all goodness, your tender mercies are over all your people, and you have compassion on all who fear you, just as a father pities his children. In the many changes and sorrows of this earthly life, grant us a patient acceptance of your will, and contentment under your promise. Amen.

Source: New Church Book of Worship, 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.