protection – A Collection of Prayers

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 2

Lord, teach us to remember your almighty help and comfort promised to us, your protecting presence surrounding us, your all-seeing eye watching us, your divine heart yearning for us, that we may not be afraid of anyone’s anger, or shrink from anyone’s ridicule, but courageously do the work you have given us, and after we have suffered, enter your rest. Amen.

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

Heavenly Father, author and source of all truth, bottomless sea of all understanding, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, and enlighten our understandings with the beams of your heavenly grace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Nicholas Ridley (1500–1555), 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.

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 All in Special Need of Protection

O God,
you do not desire the death of a sinner.
Protect with your heavenly aid
those who may now be exposed to special temptations.
Grant that in the fulfillment of your commandments
they may be strengthened by the assistance of your grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gregorian Sacramentary

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

For Protection

O Lord,
hear our prayers
and prepare the way of your servants in safety under your protection,
that amid all the changes of this our pilgrimage,
we may ever be guarded by your almighty aid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

For the Faithful

O Lord Almighty,
the Most High,
who dwells on high,
the Holy One,
who rests among the saints,
without beginning,
the Only Power.
By Christ you have given us the preaching of knowledge,
that we may confess your glory and your name,
which he has made known to us,
for our understanding.
Through him look down on this your flock,
and deliver it from all ignorance and wickedness,
and grant that we may fear you in earnest,
and love you with affection,
and have a due reverence of your glory.
Be gracious and merciful to us,
and listen to us when we pray to you.
Keep us,
that we may be steadfast and blameless,
and holy in body and spirit,
without spot or wrinkle,
or any other blemish,
but complete,
and none of us defective or imperfect.
You are our support,
our powerful God,
you are not influenced by people.
Help your people,
whom you have redeemed with the precious blood of your Christ.
Be their protector,
helper, provider, and guardian,
their strong wall of defense,
their bulwark and security.
For “none can snatch them out of your hand.”
There is no other God like you.
We rely on you.
“Sanctify us by your truth; your word is truth.” Amen.

Source: Apostolic Constitutions

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

After a Fire

Gracious Father,
you give your angels charge over your children
to keep them in all their ways
and protect them from danger.
Give healing and recovery
to those who were injured
or suffered losses in yesterday’s fire.
Comfort those who mourn.
Keep us and our homes from all danger.
Continue to protect and support
the fire and rescue workers
who help and protect us.
You alone, O Lord, give all deliverance and protection.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, April 8, 2018

The fire was in an apartment building only a few blocks from our church.

http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/firefighters-working-to-account-for-all-residents-in-beaver-dam/article_4369fcdc-d610-5f1b-acc2-7f06cb5dc75b.html