O God,
you have commanded us to worship you in spirit and in truth.
Overshadow us with the power of your Holy Spirit.
Let your mercy and the gracious promise of your salvation come to us,
that our prayer may be directed to you by Christ,
through whom our sins are forgiven.
Hear us, O Lord. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.
O Lord Almighty,
you have created the world by Christ,
and have commanded us to remember the Sabbath,
to rest from our works,
and to meditate on your Word.
We[1] have also appointed festivals that bring joy to our souls,
to remember that Wisdom, your only Son,
who submitted to be born of a woman for us.
He appeared in life,
and showed himself in his baptism.
He appeared as both God and man.
He suffered for us according to your will,
and died,
and rose again by your power.
To remember and proclaim this,
we solemnly celebrate the feast of the resurrection on the Lord’s Day,
and rejoice in him who has conquered death,
and has brought life and immortality to light. Amen.
Source: Apostolic Constitutions
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
[1] Original: “Thou hast also appointed festivals”
Almighty God,
you have given us grace at this time
to make our common prayers to you,
and you promise that when two or three
are gathered together in your name
you will grant their requests.
O Lord, fulfill the desires and prayers of your servants,
as you know what is best for us,
granting us in this world knowledge of your truth,
and in the world to come, life everlasting.
Amen.
Source: St. John Chrysostom
Source of this version: Prayers of the Early Church, ed. J. Manning Potts, The Upper Room, Nashville, Tennessee, © 1953 (Public domain in the U.S.)
“two or three calling your name” is a reference to Matthew 18:20
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
Almighty and gracious God,
merciful Father,
let the light of your face shine on us,
your humble servants.
Increase in us true knowledge of your grace and mercy
which you have freely given us in Jesus Christ, your dear Son.
Move us to praise and confess you
as our Lord and our God
for the salvation of people everywhere,
together with your Son and the Holy Spirit,
and glorify and praise you
with all our hearts,
with all the company of heaven,
in word and deed;
through your dear Son,
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#14)
Note: Seed Grains of Prayer… has the note after Daily Gloria, “(Strassburg, 1566)”
“From the rising…” is a reference to Psalm 113:3
“Let the light of your face…” is a reference to Psalm 4:6, and also to Numbers 6:25
“Increase in us true knowlege” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 1:5
“which you have freely given…” may be a reference to 1 Corinthians 2:12
A Collection of Prayers 