PRAYERS
of the
MIDDLE AGES
Light from a Thousand Years
Edited by
J. MANNING POTTS
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THE UPPER ROOM
The World’s Most Widely Used Devotional Guide
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Second Printing
© Copyright, 1954
by
The Upper Room
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Printed in the United States of America
Preface
This is a companion volume to the Prayers of the Early Church. That
little volume has been started on its way and the editor has been
encouraged to do this one on the Prayers of the Middle Ages.
The period covered by these prayers is that of a thousand years from
A.D. 500 to A.D. 1500. Generally speaking, the period is from the fall
of Rome to the Reformation. This period was formerly called the Dark
Ages. Evidence of the lack of light has been found in the lack of
material in some of the centuries. It has been hard to find any prayers
in a few. However, taken collectively, it is seen that there was much
light that came out of these ages. The Church was kept alive by those
who kept the light burning. The latter half of this period is now called
the Golden Age of Mysticism.
The arrangement of the prayers is century by century. There are some
questions about dates of these as well as authorship. The authorities do
not always agree.
We are indebted to many collections of prayers and to other sources.
Some of the books which have been most valuable are _Prayers of the
Ages_, compiled by Caroline S. Whitmarsh; _Of the Imitation of Christ;
Great Souls at Prayer_, arranged by Mrs. Mary W. Tileston; _The Cloud of
Witness_, by Hon. Mrs. Gell; _Prayers_, from the collection of the late
Baron Bunsen; _A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages_, compiled by Selina
Fitzherbert Fox; _Prayers We Love to Pray_, arranged by Edward Leigh
Pell; _Morning Readings_, compiled by Frank M. Rich; _Prayers of the
Saints_, by Cecil Headlam; _Prayers Ancient and Modern_, compiled by
Mary Wilder Tileston; _Ancient Collects_, by Rev. William Bright;
_Prayers_, Massachusetts Council of the Church Service League;
_Theologia Germanica_; _The Cloud of Unknowing_; _His Words of
Admonition_ and _Praises of God_, by St. Francis of Assisi; _Common
Prayers for Family Use_, by Westcott.
The main purpose of this little volume is for individual and family
devotions. However, it is found that prayers like these are read in
worship services, in prayer cells, and prayer meetings. Young people’s
and women’s groups constantly make use of them. This little book is
recommended for all types of worship services and for use in church
bulletins. Many other ways will be found to use them.
The editor wishes to acknowledge his deep debt of gratitude to the late
lamented Dr. J. Minton Batten, professor of church history in Vanderbilt
University, and to Miss Clarice Winstead, secretary to the editor, for
their invaluable service in compiling this book of prayers.
J. Manning Potts
Editor, The Upper Room
Nashville, Tennessee
Contents
PAGE
SIXTH CENTURY 7
Gregory the Great, Gregorian Sacramentary, Ancient Collects,
Columba
SEVENTH CENTURY 15
Mozarabic Breviary, Mozarabic Liturgy, Mozarabic Sacramentary
EIGHTH CENTURY 31
Venerable Bede, Alcuin, Gallican Collect, A Gallican
Sacramentary, Theodore Studita
NINTH CENTURY 37
Dionysius of the Syrian Jacobite Church, John Scotus Erigena,
Alfred the Great, Old Rheims Manuscript
TENTH CENTURY 41
Anonymous, Ethelwold of York, Dunstan of Canterbury
ELEVENTH CENTURY 45
Anselm, Sarum Breviary, Roman Breviary
TWELFTH CENTURY 61
Bernard of Clairvaux, Dan Jeremy
THIRTEENTH CENTURY 65
Francis of Assisi, Richard of Chichester, Thomas Aquinas,
Bonaventura, Richard Rolle
FOURTEENTH CENTURY 73
Johannes Tauler, Thomas Bradwardine, Ludolphus of Saxony,
Raymond Jordanus, Theologia Germanica
FIFTEENTH CENTURY 77
Thomas à Kempis, Michelangelo
SIXTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Forgiveness
O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive,
receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the
chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of Thy great mercy loose us;
for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, and Advocate. Amen.
—Gregory the Great
For Easter Sunday Giving
O God, who for our redemption didst give Thine only begotten Son to the
death of the Cross, and by His glorious resurrection hast delivered us
from the power of the enemy, grant us to die daily to sin, that we may
evermore live with Him, in the joy of His resurrection; through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregory the Great
For Mercy
O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is
strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that,
Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal
that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly
Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
Collect
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from
whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and
worthily magnify Thy holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For Grace and Power
O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people
who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what
things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to
fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For the World
Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, fill the
world with Thy glory, we pray Thee, and show Thyself, by the radiance of
Thy light, to all the nations of the world, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For Morning
Almighty God who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help
ourselves; keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our
souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to
the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the
soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
A Litany for Strength Against Sin
O God, who didst wonderfully create and more wonderfully redeem mankind,
grant us with steadfast mind to resist the allurements of sin that we
may attain to the joys of everlasting life.
_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For Bishops and Pastors
O God, who rulest over Thy people with fatherly love, give the spirit of
wisdom to all who have received from Thee authority of government, that
the welfare of Thy people may turn to the everlasting joy of their
pastors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For the Defense of Christ’s Church
O Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy Church and household continually in
Thy true religion, that they who do lean only upon the hope of Thy
heavenly grace may evermore be defended by Thy mighty power; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For Forgiveness and Deliverance
O Christ, our Creator and Redeemer, Almighty Lord God, forgive the sins
of all who are joined to us by friendship and relationship, all for whom
we are desired to pray, or have resolved to pray, and all Thy faithful
people. Deliver us all from evil, preserve us in all good, and bring us
at last to everlasting joy; for Thine honour and glory. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For All in Special Need of Protection
O God, who willest not the death of a sinner, protect with Thy heavenly
aid those persons who may now be exposed to special temptations; and
grant that in the fulfilment of Thy commandments they may be
strengthened by the assistance of Thy grace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
For Love
O God, who by the grace of the Holy Ghost hast poured the gifts of love
into the hearts of Thy faithful people, grant unto all Thy servants in
Thy mercy health of body and soul, that they may love Thee with all
their strength, and with perfect affection fulfill Thy pleasure; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
Epiphany
Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, who
didst bring the Gentiles to Thy light, and made known unto them Him who
is the true Light, and the bright and morning Star, fill, we beseech
Thee, the world with Thy glory, and show Thyself by the radiance of Thy
light unto all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gregorian Sacramentary
Prayer for Pardon
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst give Thy life for us that we might
receive pardon and peace; mercifully cleanse us from all sin, and
evermore keep us in Thy favour and love, who livest and reignest with
the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect
For the Loving Care of the Good Shepherd
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou, good Shepherd of the sheep, who camest to
seek the lost, and to gather them to Thy fold, have compassion upon
those who have wandered from Thee; feed those who hunger, cause the
weary to lie down in Thy pastures, bind up those who are broken in
heart, and strengthen those who are weak, that we, relying on Thy care
and being comforted by Thy love, may abide in Thy guidance to our lives’
end; for Thy name’s sake. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect
For Light
O Thou who art the Sun of Righteousness and the Light Eternal, giving
gladness unto all things; shine upon us both now and for ever, that we
may walk alway in the light of Thy countenance; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect
For Rest
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of
this night, so that we who are wearied by the work and the changes of
this fleeting world may rest upon Thy eternal changelessness; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect
For Morning
O God, who hast folded back the mantle of the night to clothe us in the
golden glory of the day, chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts, and
make us glad with the brightness of hope, that we may effectively aspire
to unwon virtues, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect
For Love and Light
O Lord, give us, we beseech Thee, in the name of Jesus Christ Thy Son
our God, that love which can never cease, that will kindle our lamps but
not extinguish them, that they may burn in us and enlighten others. Do
Thou, O Christ, our dearest Saviour, Thyself kindle our lamps, that they
may evermore shine in Thy temple, that they may receive unquenchable
light from Thee that will enlighten our darkness, and lessen the
darkness of the world. Lord Jesus, we pray Thee give Thy light to our
lamps, that in its light the most holy place may be revealed to us in
which Thou dwellest as the Eternal Priest, that we may always behold
Thee, desire Thee, look upon Thee in love, and long after Thee, for Thy
sake. Amen.
—Columba
SEVENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
A Litany on the Passion
Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, grant pardon, grant remission:
_And have mercy graciously._
Thou who, coming to save the world, wert brought to judgment, when Thou
comest as Judge, deliver us not up with the ungodly:
_And have mercy graciously._
Thou, who wert hung upon the Cross, bear on Thy shoulders the death due
to our guilt:
_And have mercy graciously._
Thou who didst once suffer for the ungodly, and diest no more, mortify
our vices in us, and heal us by the wound of the Cross:
_And have mercy graciously._
That in the judgment Thy face may not be turned on us for punishment,
but may shine on us with pardon:
_And have mercy graciously._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary[1]
A Litany on the Passion
O good Shepherd, who didst lay down Thy life for the sheep, remember us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._
O everlasting Power and Wisdom of the most high God, Thou Word of the
Father, remember us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._
O Thou Maker of the world, the Life of all, the Lord of angels, remember
us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._
O Lamb of God, who for us wert led as a sheep to the slaughter, remember
us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._
O Thou who wert seized, thou guiltless, buffeted, given over to robbers,
remember us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._
Thou who alone hast by Thy death overcome the death of our guilt,
remember us:
_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary
A Litany for Forgiveness
We cry to Thee, O Lord, do Thou have mercy upon us:
_And grant forgiveness._
O King of heaven, and everlasting Lord, receive the prayers which we
pour forth:
_And grant forgiveness._
Visit the sick—bring forth captives, help the widow and the orphan:
_And grant forgiveness._
We have sinned and have departed from Thee, do Thou, who art the
Redeemer of all, save us:
_And grant forgiveness._
Have mercy on the penitent, and wash away the stains of sin:
_And grant forgiveness._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary
A Litany of Repentance
Turn away, O Lord, the fierceness of Thy wrath, and in pity spare Thy
people:
_And have mercy._
Grant a favourable and speedy answer to the prayers of all, we beseech
Thee:
_And have mercy._
Do Thou, O Christ, look upon our groanings, loose the bands of death,
and grant us life:
_And have mercy._
Behold our tears—consider our sighs, and now at length in pity forgive
our sins:
_And have mercy._
Though none of us be worthy to be heard, do Thou, O Christ, for Thine
own self help us:
_And have mercy_. Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary
A Litany for Personal Dedication
O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the ineffable joy of Christians, take away
from us whatever is not Thine, and make us Thine in all things.
_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary
A Litany Against Temptation
Raise up Thy power, and come to deliver us, O Lord our God; that as we
are overwhelmed by the storms of temptation so we may be raised up by
the aid of Thy strength.
_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Breviary
For Pardon
O God, the Son of God—so loving, yet hated—so forbearing, yet assaulted
unto death—who didst show Thyself so gentle and merciful to Thy
persecutors; grant that through the wounds of Thy passion our sins may
be expiated, and as in Thy humiliation Thou didst suffer death for us,
so now, being glorified, bestow on us everlasting brightness. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Illumination
O glorious, holy, almighty God, who being ever pitiful to the manifold
wanderings of mankind, didst doubtless for this end guide the Magi, who
dwelt in dark superstition, by the light of a star to Thy sacred cradle,
that Thou mightest kindle all men who were walking in their own errors
with the desire of knowing Thee; kindle us also, we pray Thee, with the
saving ardour of love for Thee, that we who have already known Thee by
Thy gracious illumination, may be enabled to cleave to Thee for ever.
Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
Confession
Hear our prayer, O Lord, and listen to our groanings, for we acknowledge
our iniquities, and lay open our sins before Thee. Against Thee, O God,
have we sinned; to Thee we make our confession, and implore forgiveness.
Turn Thy face again, O Lord, upon Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed
with Thine own blood. Spare us, we pray Thee, and vouchsafe pardon to
our sins, and be pleased to extend to us Thy loving-kindness and Thy
mercy. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
Daily Morning Prayer
Let our prayer, O Lord, come before Thee in the morning. Thou didst take
upon Thee our feeble and suffering nature; grant us to pass this day in
gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain; that reaching
the even-tide without any temptation, we may praise Thee the Eternal
King: through Thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed and dost live, and
govern all things, world without end. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Firm Faith
Arise, O Lord, who judgest the earth; and as Thou dwellest in and
possessest the faith of all nations, suffer us not to abide in darkness;
and grant that we may not lay the foundations of our faith on the sand
where the whirlwind may overthrow them, but be established on the rock
which is steadfast in Thee. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Christ’s Companionship
Jesus, our Master, do Thou meet us while we walk in the way, and long to
reach the Country; so that, following Thy light, we may keep the way of
righteousness, and never wander away into the darkness of this world’s
night, while Thou, who art the way, the truth, and the life, art shining
within us; for Thine own name’s sake. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Joy and Peace in the Daily Walk
Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, without
stumbling and without stain; that reaching the eventide victorious over
all temptation, we may praise Thee, the eternal God, who art blessed,
and dost govern all things, world without end. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
“For the Peace of God, which Passeth All Understanding”
O God who art Peace everlasting, whose chosen reward is the gift of
peace, and who hast taught us that the peacemakers are Thy children,
pour Thy peace into our souls, that everything discordant may utterly
vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us for ever; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Light and Love
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, and the brightness of Thy Spirit
illumine our inward souls, that He may kindle our cold hearts, and light
up our dark minds; who abideth evermore with Thee in Thy glory. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Heavenly Light
O God, with whom is the well of life, and in whose light we see light,
increase in us, we beseech Thee, the brightness of divine knowledge,
whereby we may be able to reach Thy plenteous fountain; impart to our
thirsting souls the draught of life, and restore to our darkened minds
the light from heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For the Church
Hear us, O God of our salvation, Thou hope of all the ends of the earth,
and in Thy strength, set fast as the mountains, the outposts of Thy
power, and strongholds of lofty virtues. On Thee we rely for gifts of
aspiration, whereby to ascend to the summit of all blessedness; that Thy
Church, as it extends to all corners of the world, may soar in faith,
may rest in hope, and rise to the full height of charity; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
Christmas
O God, to whom glory is sung in the highest, while on earth peace is
proclaimed among men of goodwill; grant that same goodwill to us Thy
servants; cleanse us from evil, and give peace to all Thy people;
through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all
things, world without end. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Rightful Recognition of God, “The Giver of All Good Things”
O God, who, by making the evening to succeed the day, hast bestowed the
gift of repose on human weakness, grant, we beseech Thee, that while we
enjoy those timely blessings we may acknowledge Him from whom they come,
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Sanctification
O Christ our God, who wilt come to judge the world in the manhood which
Thou hast assumed, we pray Thee to sanctify us wholly, that in the day
of Thy coming our whole spirit, soul, and body may so revive to a fresh
life in Thee, that we may live and reign with Thee for ever, to Thine
honour and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and
reigneth, ever one God. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
Repentance
Let Thy Spirit, O Lord, come into the midst of us, and washing us with
the pure water of repentance, prepare us to be always a living sacrifice
unto Thee; who livest and reignest, ever world without end. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Direction
May the infinite and glorious Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, direct our life in good works, and after our passage through this
world, grant to us eternal rest with the righteous. Grant this, O
Eternal and Almighty God. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For the Sick and Suffering
O Christ our Lord, who art the Physician of salvation, grant unto all
who are sick the aid of heavenly healing. Look upon all faithful people
who are sick and who love to call upon Thy name, and take their souls
into Thy keeping, and vouchsafe to deliver them from all sickness and
infirmity; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For New Year
O Thou who art ever the same, grant us so to pass through the coming
year with faithful hearts, that we may be able in all things to please
Thy loving eyes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who with the Father and the Son abidest
one God, descend this day into our hearts, that while Thou makest
intercession for us, we may with full confidence call upon our Father;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Perseverance
Look upon us and hear us, O Lord our God; and assist those endeavours to
please Thee which Thou Thyself hast granted to us; as Thou hast given
the first act of will, so give the completion of the work; grant that we
may be able to finish what Thou hast granted us to wish to begin;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Guidance and Protection
Be Thou, O Lord, our protection, who art our redemption; direct our
minds by Thy gracious presence, and watch over our paths with guiding
love; that among the snares which lie hidden in the path wherein we
walk, we may so press onwards with hearts fixed on Thee, that by the
track of faith we may come to be where Thou wouldest have us; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
For Rulers and the Nations
O heavenly Father, we bend the knee before Thee on behalf of all kings,
princes, and governors of this world, beseeching Thee to grant unto them
by Thy inspiration, to rule in righteousness, to rejoice in peace, to
shine in piety, and to labour for the well-being of the people committed
unto them, so that, by the rectitude of the government, all faithful
people may live without disturbance in the knowledge of Thee, and labour
without hindrance for Thy glory. Amen.
—Mozarabic Liturgy
At Evening
O Lord God, the Life of mortals, the Light of the faithful, the Strength
of those who labor, and the Repose of the dead, grant us a tranquil
night free from all disturbance; that after an interval of quiet sleep,
we may, by Thy bounty, at the return of light, be endued with activity
from the Holy Spirit, and enabled in security to render thanks to Thee.
Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
Litany for True Worship
O God, who hast bidden us to worship Thee in spirit and in truth, shadow
us with the power of Thy Holy Spirit—let Thy mercy and the promised
grace of Thy salvation come upon us, that our prayer may be directed
unto Thee by Him, through whom we believe our sins to be forgiven.
_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
Good Friday
Today, O good Jesus, for us Thou didst not hide Thy face from shame and
spitting. Today, Jesus our Redeemer, for us Thou wast mocked, buffeted
by unbelievers, and crowned with thorns. Today, O good Shepherd, Thou
didst lay down Thy life on the Cross for the sheep, and wast crucified
with robbers, and hadst Thy sacred hands nailed through. Today Thou wast
laid in the guarded sepulchre, and the saints burst open their tombs.
Today, O good Jesus, put an end to our sins, that on the day of Thy
resurrection we may joyfully receive Thy holy body, and be refreshed
with Thy sacred blood. Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
Easter
The Day of Resurrection has dawned upon us, the day of true light and
life, wherein Christ, the life of believers, arose from the dead. Let us
give abundant thanks and praise to God, that while we solemnly celebrate
the day of our Lord’s resurrection, He may be pleased to bestow on us
quiet peace and special gladness; so that being protected from morning
to night by His favoring mercy, we may rejoice in the gift of our
Redeemer. Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
For Spiritual Illumination
Hear us, O never-failing Light, Lord our God, our only light, the
fountain of light, the light of Thine angels, thrones, dominions,
principalities, powers, and of all intelligent beings; who hast created
the light of Thy saints. May our souls be lamps of Thine, kindled and
illuminated by Thee. May they shine and burn with the truth, and never
go out in darkness and ashes. May we be Thy house, shining from Thee,
shining in Thee; may we shine and fail not; may we ever worship Thee; in
Thee may we be kindled, and not be extinguished. Being filled with the
splendor of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, may we shine forth inwardly;
may the gloom of sins be cleared away, and the light of perpetual faith
abide with us. Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
A Good Example
Make us, O Lord, to flourish like pure lilies in the courts of Thine
house, and to show forth to the faithful the fragrance of good words,
and the example of a Godly life, through Thy mercy and grace. Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
Evening
O blessed Spirit of Truth, Thou who searchest the heart and triest the
inmost thoughts, bring, I pray Thee, my sins to my remembrance, and
grant me light to see and find them out. Strengthen me also with courage
to confess them truly, hiding nothing, excusing nothing, keeping back
nothing in my heart; that I may, of Thy mercy, obtain pardon and entire
absolution; and, thus healed, may arise and sin no more, through the
merits and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Saviour. Amen.
—Mozarabic Sacramentary
EIGHTH CENTURY PRAYERS
A Petition
And now, we beseech Thee Lord Jesus, that to whom Thou dost vouchsafe
sweet draughts of the words of Thy knowledge, Thou wilt also, of Thy
goodness, grant that we may, in due time, come to Thee, the fountain of
all wisdom, and ever stand before Thy face; for Thy sake. Amen.
—Venerable Bede
For the Spirit of Truth
O glorious King, Lord of all power, who triumphing this day didst ascend
above the heavens, leave us not orphans, but send down on us, from the
Father, the spirit of truth which Thou hast promised. Hallelujah! Amen.
—Venerable Bede
For Cleansing
Almighty and merciful God, the Fountain of all goodness, who knowest the
thoughts of our hearts, we confess unto Thee that we have sinned against
Thee, and done evil in Thy sight. Wash us, we beseech Thee, from the
stains of our past sins, and give us grace and power to put away all
hurtful things; so that, being delivered from the bondage of sin, we may
bring forth worthy fruits of repentance.
O eternal Light, shine into our hearts. O eternal Goodness, deliver us
from evil. O eternal Power, be Thou our support. Eternal Wisdom, scatter
the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us. Grant
unto us that with all our hearts, and minds, and strength, we may
evermore seek Thy face; and finally bring us, in Thine infinite mercy,
to Thy holy presence. So strengthen our weakness that, following in the
footsteps of Thy blessed Son, we may obtain Thy mercy, and enter into
Thy promised Joy. Amen.
—Alcuin
For Illumination
O most merciful God, incline Thy loving ears to our prayers, and
illuminate the hearts of those called by Thee, with the grace of the
Holy Spirit, that they may be enabled worthily to minister to Thy
mysteries, and to love Thee with an everlasting love, and to attain
everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gallican Collect
To Be Set Free
O God, who art the Author of love, and the Lover of pure peace and
affection, let all who are terrified by fears, afflicted by poverty,
harassed by tribulation, worn down by illness, be set free by Thine
indulgent tenderness, raised up by amendment of life, and cherished by
Thy daily compassion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—A Gallican Sacramentary
For a Friend Before a Journey
O God, who bestowest Thy mercy at all times on them that love Thee, and
in no place art distant from those that serve Thee; direct the way of
Thy servant in Thy will, that having Thee for _his_ Protector and Guide,
_he_ may walk without stumbling in the paths of righteousness, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—A Gallican Sacramentary
For Christian Graces
Give me, O Lord, purity of lips, a clean and innocent heart, and
rectitude of action. Give me humility, patience, abstinence, chastity,
prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. Give me the spirit of wisdom
and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of
knowledge and godliness, and of Thy fear. Make me ever to seek Thy face
with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind; grant me to have a contrite
and humbled heart in Thy presence—to prefer nothing to Thy love. Most
high, eternal, and ineffable Wisdom, drive away from me the darkness of
blindness and ignorance; most high and eternal Strength, deliver me;
most high and eternal Fortitude, assist me; most high and
incomprehensible Light, illuminate me; most high and infinite Mercy,
have mercy on me. Amen.
—A Gallican Sacramentary
For Help to All
[O God,] give perfection to beginners, give intelligence to the little
ones, give aid to those who are running their course. Give compunction
to the negligent, give fervor of spirit to the lukewarm, give to the
perfect a good consummation. Amen.
—A Gallican Sacramentary
For Mercy
O Lord, who didst give to Thine Apostles peace, shed down upon us all
Thy holy calm; gather together with Thy hand all those who are
scattered, and bring them like sheep into the fold of Thy holy Church,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Strengthen and confirm me, O Lord, by Thy Cross, on the rock of faith,
that my mind be not shaken by the attacks of the enemy. For Thou alone
art holy.
Thou knowest, O Lord, how many and great are my sins, Thou knowest how
often I sin, from day to day, from hour to hour, in the things I do and
the things I leave undone. No more, O Lord, no more, O Lord my God, will
I provoke Thee; no more shall my desire be for anything but Thee, for
Thou alone art truly lovable. And if again I offend in anything, I
humbly beseech Thee of Thy mercy to grant me strength to find favour
again in Thy sight and to live in a manner more pleasing to Thee. Amen.
—Theodore Studita
NINTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Unity
O God the Father, origin of Divinity, good beyond all that is good, fair
beyond all that is fair, in whom is calmness, peace, and concord; do
Thou make up the dissensions which divide us from each other, and bring
us back into a unity of love, which may bear some likeness to Thy divine
nature. And as Thou art above all things, make us one by the unanimity
of a good mind, that through the embrace of charity and the bonds of
affection, we may be spiritually one, as well in ourselves as in each
other; through that peace of Thine which maketh all things peaceful, and
through the grace, mercy, and tenderness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Dionysius of the Syrian Jacobite Church
For Help
O Thou who art the everlasting Essence of things beyond space and time
and yet within them; Thou who transcendest yet pervadest all things,
manifest Thyself unto us, feeling after Thee, seeking Thee in the shades
of ignorance. Stretch forth Thy hand to help us, who cannot without Thee
come to Thee; and reveal Thyself unto us, who seek nothing beside Thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—John Scotus Erigena
For Strength and Guidance
Lord God Almighty, shaper and ruler of all creatures, we pray Thee for
Thy great mercy, that Thou guide us better than we have done, towards
Thee, and guide us to Thy will, to the need of our soul, better than we
can ourselves. And steadfast our mind towards Thy will and to our soul’s
need. And strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, and put
far from us all lust, and every unrighteousness, and shield us against
our foes, seen and unseen. And teach us to do Thy will, that we may
inwardly love Thee before all things, with a pure mind. For Thou art our
maker and our redeemer, our help, our comfort, our trust, our hope;
praise and glory be to Thee now, ever and ever, world without end. Amen.
—Alfred the Great
An Acknowledgment of God’s Supremacy
O Thou who art the Father of that Son which hast awakened us, and yet
urgest us out of the sleep of our sins, and exhortest us that we become
Thine, to Thee, Lord, we pray, who art the supreme truth, for all truth
that is, is from Thee. Thee we implore, O Lord, who art the highest
wisdom, through Thee are wise, all those that are so. Thou art the
supreme joy, and from Thee all have become happy that are so. Thou art
the highest good, and from Thee all beauty springs. Thou art the
intellectual light, and from Thee man derives his understanding. To
Thee, O God, we call and speak. Hear us, O Lord, for Thou art our God
and our Lord, our father and our creator, our ruler and our hope, our
wealth and our honour, our home, our country, our salvation, and our
life; hear, hear us, O Lord. Few of Thy servants comprehend Thee, but at
least we love Thee—yea, love Thee above all other things. We seek Thee,
we follow Thee, we are ready to serve Thee; under Thy power we desire to
abide, for Thou art the Sovereign of all. We pray Thee to command us as
Thou wilt; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Amen.
—Alfred the Great
For Forgiveness
We implore the mercy of Thy Majesty, that it may please Thee to give to
us Thy servants, pardon of our sins, that we, being delivered from all
the bonds of the enemy, may cleave to Thy commandments with our whole
heart, and evermore love Thee alone, with all our strength, and one day
be counted worthy to attain to the sight of Thy blessedness. Through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Old Rheims Manuscript
TENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Benediction
May our Lord Jesus Christ be near us to defend us, within us to refresh
us, around us to preserve us, before us to guide us, behind us to
justify us, above us to bless us, who liveth and reigneth with the
Father and the Holy Ghost, God for evermore. Amen.
—Anonymous
For a Birthday
We beseech Thee, Lord, open Thy heavens; from thence may Thy gifts
descend to _him_. Put forth Thine own hand from heaven and touch _his_
head. May _he_ feel the touch of Thy hand, and receive the joy of the
Holy Spirit, that _he_ may remain blessed for evermore. Amen.
—Ethelwold of York
Confession and Prayer for Forgiveness
O _Lord_, O King, resplendent on the citadel of heaven, all hail
continually; and of Thy clemency upon Thy people still do Thou _have
mercy_.
_Lord_, Whom the hosts of cherubim in songs and hymns with praise
continually proclaim, do Thou _upon_ us eternally _have mercy_.
The armies aloft, O _Lord_, do sing high praise to Thee, even they to
whom the seraphim reply, “do Thou _have mercy_.”
O _Christ_, enthroned as King above, whom the nine orders of angels in
their beauty praise without ceasing, deign Thou _upon us_, Thy servants,
ever to _have mercy_.
O _Christ_, whom Thy one only Church throughout the world doth hymn, O
Thou to whom the sun, the moon, and stars, the land and sea, do service
ever, do Thou _have mercy_.
O _Christ_, those holy ones, the heirs of the eternal country, one and
all with utter joy proclaim Thee in a most worthy strain: do Thou _have
mercy upon us_.
O _Lord_, O gentle Son of Mary free, O King of Kings, blessed Redeemer,
upon those who have been ransomed from the power of death, by Thine own
blood, ever _have mercy_.
O noblest unbegotten, yet begotten Son, having no beginning of age, yet
without effort (in the weakness of God) excelling all things, upon this
Thy congregation in Thy pity, _Lord have mercy_.
O Sun of Righteousness, in all unclouded glory, supreme dispenser of
justice, in that great day when Thou shalt strictly judge all nations,
we earnestly beseech Thee, upon This Thy people, who here stand before
Thy presence, in Thy pity, _Lord, then have mercy upon us_. Amen.
—Dunstan of Canterbury
Dying Words
Glory be to Thee, Almighty Father, who hast given to them that fear Thee
the heavenly bread of life, that we may be mindful of the marvels which
Thou hast wrought upon the earth, by sending us Thy only begotten Son,
very man, born of a pure virgin. We give thanks, as is most justly due,
to Thee, O Holy Father, who didst create us ere yet we were, and whilst
we were yet sinners didst make us partakers of Thy heavenly grace,
through the same Thy Son, our Lord and God, who with Thee and the Holy
Ghost maketh, ordereth, and ruleth all things for ever and ever, world
without end. Amen.
—Dunstan of Canterbury
ELEVENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Pardon, Grace, and Guidance
O Thou plenteous source of every good and perfect gift, shed abroad the
cheering light of Thy sevenfold grace over our hearts. Yea, Spirit of
love and gentleness, we most humbly implore Thy assistance. Thou knowest
our faults, our failings, our necessities, the dulness of our
understanding, the waywardness of our affections, the perverseness of
our will. When, therefore, we neglect to practise what we know, visit
us, we beseech Thee, with Thy grace, enlighten our minds, rectify our
desires, correct our wanderings, and pardon our omissions, so that by
Thy guidance we may be preserved from making shipwreck of faith, and
keep a good conscience, and may at length be landed safe in the haven of
eternal rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Anselm
For the Afflicted and Distressed
We bring before Thee, O Lord, the troubles and perils of people and
nations, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the
bereaved, the necessities of strangers, the helplessness of the weak,
the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. O Lord,
draw near to each; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Anselm
For Blessedness
O God, Thou art life, wisdom, truth, bounty, and blessedness, the
Eternal, the only true Good! My God and my Lord, Thou art my hope and my
heart’s joy. I confess, with thanksgiving, that Thou hast made me in
Thine image, that I may direct all my thoughts to Thee, and love Thee.
Lord, make me to know Thee aright, that I may more and more love, and
enjoy, and possess Thee. And since, in the life here below, I cannot
fully attain this blessedness, let it at least grow in me day by day,
until it all be fulfilled at last in the life to come. Here be the
knowledge of Thee increased, and there let it be perfected. Here let my
love to Thee grow, and there let it ripen; that my joy being here great
in hope, may there in fruition be made perfect. Amen.
—Anselm
For Our Friends
O fountain of love, love Thou our friends and teach them to love Thee
with all their hearts, that they may think and speak and do only such
things as are well-pleasing to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
—Anselm
For Heavenly-Mindedness
O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray Thee, with the graces of Thy
Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Teach us to love those who hate
us, to pray for those who despitefully use us, that we may be the
children of Thee our Father, who makest Thy sun to shine on the evil and
on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust. In
adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble;
may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures
of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Anselm
For the Presence of the Holy Spirit
O holy Paraclete, sweetest consolation of the sorrowful, gracious Spirit
come down at this time with Thy mighty power into the depths of our
hearts. Gladden there with Thy brightness every dark retreat, and enrich
all with the dew of Thine abundant comfort. Kindle our inward parts with
holy favour, that the incense of our prayers and praises may ever go up
to Thee, O our God; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Amen.
—Anselm
For Zeal
O almighty and merciful Father, who pourest Thy benefits upon us,
forgive the unthankfulness with which we have requited Thy goodness. We
have remained before Thee with dead and senseless hearts, unkindled with
love of Thy gentle and enduring goodness. Turn Thou us, O merciful
Father, and so shall we be turned. Make us with our whole heart to
hunger and thirst after Thee, and with all our longing to desire Thee.
Make us with our whole heart to serve Thee alone and with all our zeal
to seek those things which are well-pleasing in Thy sight; for the sake
of Thine only begotten Son, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all
honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
—Anselm
For Union with God
O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire Thee with our whole heart, that
so desiring, we may seek and find Thee; and so finding Thee we may love
Thee; and loving Thee we may hate those sins from which Thou hast
redeemed us; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Anselm
For Holy Week
O Father, most merciful, who in the beginning didst create us, and by
the passion of Thine only begotten Son hast created us anew, work in us
now, we beseech Thee, both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure. And
forasmuch as we are weak, and can do no good thing of ourselves, grant
us Thy grace and heavenly benediction, that in whatsoever work we engage
we may do all to Thy honour and glory; and that, being kept from sin and
daily increasing in good works, so long as we live in the body we may
ever show forth some service to Thee; and after our departure may
receive pardon of all our sins, and attain eternal life; through Him
who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth for ever and
ever. Amen.
—Anselm
For Perfection
O Lord Jesus Christ, our redemption and our salvation, we praise Thee
and give Thee thanks; and though we be unworthy of Thy benefits, and
cannot offer unto Thee due devotion, yet let Thy loving-kindness fill up
that which our weakness endeavoureth. Before Thee, O Lord, is all our
desire, and whatsoever our heart rightly willeth, it is of Thy gift.
Grant that we may attain to love Thee even as Thou commandest. Let not
Thy gift be unfruitful in us. Perfect that Thou hast begun, give that
which Thou hast made us to long after, convert Thou our lukewarmness
into fervent love of Thee; for the glory of Thy holy name. Amen.
—Anselm
For Absent Friends
O blessed Lord and Saviour, who hast commanded us to love one another,
grant us grace that, having received Thine undeserved bounty, we may
love every man in Thee and for Thee. We beseech Thy blessing for all;
but especially for the friends whom Thy love hast given to us. Love Thou
them, O Thou fountain of love, and make them to love Thee with all their
heart, with all their mind, and with all their soul, that those things
only which are pleasing to Thee they may will, and speak, and do. And
though our prayer is cold, because our charity is so little fervent, yet
Thou art rich in mercy. Measure not to them Thy goodness by the dulness
of our devotion; but as Thy kindness surpasseth all human affection, so
let Thy hearing transcend our prayer. Do Thou to them what is expedient
for them, according to Thy will, that they, being always and everywhere
ruled and protected by Thee, may attain in the end to everlasting life;
and to Thee, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and
praise for ever and ever. Amen.
—Anselm
For Strength and Power
Most merciful God, the helper of all men, so strengthen us by Thy power
that our sorrow may be turned into joy, and we may continually glorify
Thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Enlightenment
We beseech Thee, O Lord, let our hearts be graciously enlightened by Thy
holy radiance, that we may serve Thee without fear in holiness and
righteousness all the days of our life; that so we may escape the
darkness of this world, and by Thy guidance attain the land of eternal
brightness; through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord, who dost live and govern
all things, world without end. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
In Time of Trouble
O God, who tellest the number of the stars, and callest them all by
their names: heal, we beseech Thee, the contrite in heart, and gather
together the outcasts, and enrich us with the fulness of Thy wisdom;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Whitsunday (Pentecost)
O God, who purifiest the heart of man from sin, and makest it more white
than snow, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy; renew, we
beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit within us, that we may show forth Thy
praise, and, strengthened by Thy grace, may obtain rest in the eternal
mansions of the heavenly Jerusalem; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Holy Week
O Lord, who dost wash out our offences, do Thou comfort us who
faithfully call upon Thee; and, we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldest blot
out our transgressions, and restore us from death to the land of the
living; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Spiritual Gladness
Hear us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and in our tribulations pity us, grant
unto us spiritual gladness, and give us everlasting peace; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Acceptable Service
O glorious and almighty God, in whom all the spirits of the blessed
place the confidence of their hope; grant to us that, by Thy help, we
may be able ever to serve Thee with a pure mind; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Light
Bestow Thy light upon us, O Lord, so that, being rid of the darkness of
our hearts, we may attain unto the true Light; through Jesus Christ, who
is the Light of the World. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Grace and Deliverance
Feed Thy people, O Lord, with Thy grace, and deliver our souls from the
death of sin; so that, being filled with Thy mercy, we may be united
with the joys of the righteous; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For the Spread of Christ’s Kingdom
Almighty God and heavenly Father, who of Thine infinite love and
goodness towards us, hast given to us Thy only and most dearly beloved
Son, Jesus Christ, to be our redeemer and the author of everlasting
life, who, after He made perfect our redemption, by His death and was
ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world His apostles, prophets,
evangelists, doctors, and pastors; by whose labour and ministry He
gathered together a great flock from all parts of the world, to set
forth the eternal praise of Thy holy name: for these so great benefits
of Thy eternal goodness we render unto Thee most hearty thanks. We
praise and worship Thee, and we humbly beseech Thee, by the same Thy
blessed Son, to grant unto all which here or elsewhere, call upon Thy
holy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto Thee for
these and all other Thy benefits, and that we may daily increase and go
forward in the knowledge and faith of Thee and Thy Son by the Holy
Spirit, so that Thy holy name may be for ever glorified, and Thy blessed
Kingdom enlarged; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who
liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit,
world without end. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Deliverance from Sin
O Lord, vouchsafe to look mercifully upon us, and grant that we may
choose the way of peace; so that, rescued from the captivity of the sins
which have oppressed us, we may attain the dwellings of the heavenly
Jerusalem; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Brotherly Kindness
Pour upon us, O Lord, the spirit of brotherly kindness and peace; so
that, sprinkled with the dew of Thy benediction, we may be made glad by
Thy glory and grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Health
O God, who through the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, dost pour the gift of
love into the hearts of Thy faithful people, grant unto us health, both
of mind and body, that we may love Thee with our whole strength, and
with entire satisfaction may perform those things which are pleasing
unto Thee this day; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Grace to Walk in Holiness
O God of strength, passing all understanding, who mercifully givest to
Thy people mercy and judgment; grant to us, we beseech Thee, faithfully
to love Thee, and to walk this day in the way of righteousness; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
A Prayer for Today
In this hour of this day, fill us, O Lord, with Thy mercy, that
rejoicing throughout the whole day, we may take delight in Thy praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
Supplication
Almighty God, we invoke Thee, the fountain of everlasting light, and
entreat Thee to send forth Thy truth into our hearts, and to pour upon
us the glory of Thy brightness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Sarum Breviary
For Divine Control