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.

This edition, Prayers Ancient Made Modern, revised by Paul C. Stratman, copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.

Reprinted from Prayers Ancient Made Modern, copyright © 2024 Paul C. Stratman.

September 3

Lord God, grant that we may enjoy health of mind and body, deliver us from our present sadness, and finally bring us to the joy of your eternal gladness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Almighty God, send us your good Spirit, that we flee to your loving arms as children, filled with trust, hope, and faith. In dark times draw us to you, that we trust you when we cannot see, and we hope in you when all seems doubtful. You are our Father who does all things well, and you order all things. Knowing that all things are in your hands, we await your time. 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.

This edition, Prayers Ancient Made Modern, revised by Paul C. Stratman, copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.

Reprinted from Prayers Ancient Made Modern, copyright © 2024 Paul C. Stratman.

Oremus-Let Us Pray!

Oremus–Let Us Pray! is an updating of the classic resource by Paul Zeller Strodach, which is now in the public domain. The original can be viewed here: https://archive.org/details/oremuscollectsde00unse/page/n5/mode/2up

This revision puts all the prayers of Oremus into contemporary English, making the book a useful resource for personal devotion and public worship.

Available in paperback or for Kindle through Amazon.com.

For the Prisoner

O God,
hear the sighing of the prisoner,
and by your almighty power
deliver us all from the bonds and chains of sin,
whether in our bodies or in our souls;
through 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.

 

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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 Protection

O God,
Shepherd of all your people,
deliver us from all sins which assail us,
that so we may always be pleasing in your sight,
and safe under your shelter;
for Christ’s sake. 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 Assistance in Temptation

Almighty and merciful God,
you give your faithful people
the grace that makes every path of this life
the straight and narrow way which leads to life eternal.
Grant that we,
who know that we have no strength to help ourselves,
put all our trust in your almighty power,
and by the assistance of your heavenly grace,
always prevail in all things,
against whatever arises to fight against us;
through 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 Defense from Evil

O almighty God,
we seek the shelter of your protection.
Defend us from all evils,
that we may serve you in peace and quietness of spirit;
through 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.