trouble – A Collection of Prayers

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 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 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.

In Time of Trouble

O God,
you count the number of the stars,
and call them all by their names.
Heal the contrite in heart,
gather together the outcasts,
and enrich us with the fullness of your wisdom;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Sarum Rite

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