order and to hallow, to rule and to govern, our hearts and our bodies,
our thoughts, our works, and our words, according to Thy commandments,
that we, being helped by Thee, may here and for ever be delivered and
saved; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For a Knowledge of God’s Will
Most gracious God, to know and love whose will is righteousness,
enlighten our souls with the brightness of Thy presence, that we may
both know Thy will and be enabled to perform it; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Increased Love Toward God
O Lord, we beseech Thee that Thy people may grow ever in love toward
Thee, their Father, who art in heaven, and may so be schooled by holy
works, that ever, as Thou dost pour Thy gifts upon them, they may walk
before Thee in all such things as be well-pleasing in the sight of Thy
Divine Majesty; for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Peace
O God, the consolation of all such as be sorrowful, and the salvation of
them that put their trust in Thee, grant unto us, in this dying life,
that peace for which we humbly pray, and hereafter to attain unto
everlasting joy in Thy presence; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Defense from Evil
Grant unto us, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who seek the
shelter of Thy protection, being defended from all evils, may serve Thee
in peace and quietness of spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Assistance in Temptation
Almighty and merciful God, who dost grant unto Thy faithful people the
grace to make every path of life temporal, the strait and narrow way
which leadeth unto life eternal, grant that we, who know that we have no
strength as of ourselves to help ourselves, and therefore do put all our
trust in Thine almighty power, may, by the assistance of Thy heavenly
grace, always prevail in all things, against whatsoever shall arise to
fight against us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Protection
O God, the Shepherd of all Thy people, deliver the same from all sins
which do assail them, that so they may ever be pleasing in Thy sight,
and safe under Thy shelter; for Christ’s sake. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Loyal Service
Almighty and everlasting God, grant that our wills be ever meekly
subject to Thy will, and our hearts be ever honestly ready to serve
Thee; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Purified Lives
O God, mercifully grant unto us that the fire of Thy love may burn up in
us all things that displease Thee, and make us meet for Thy heavenly
Kingdom; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For Strength
Be Thou Thyself, O Lord, the Sanctifier and the Shepherd of Thy people,
that we, who are strengthened by Thy help, may in our daily life walk
with Thee, and in all quietness of spirit serve Thee; through Jesus
Christ our Master. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
For the Prisoner
O God, let the sighing of the prisoner come before Thee, and mercifully
grant unto us that we may be delivered by Thine almighty power from all
bonds and chains of sin, whether in our bodies or in our souls, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Roman Breviary
TWELFTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Need for Heavenly Refreshment
[O God,] my heart is a vain heart, a vagabond and instable heart; while
it is led by its own judgment, and wanting divine counsel, cannot
subsist in itself; and whilst it divers ways seekest not, findeth none,
but remaineth miserable through labor, and void of peace: it agreeth not
with itself, it dissenteth from itself, it altereth resolutions,
changeth the judgment, frameth new thoughts, pulleth down the old, and
buildeth them up again: it willeth and willeth not; and never remaineth
in the same state.
Come, Holy Spirit, and bring from heaven a ray of Thy light! Come, Thou
father of the poor, Thou giver of gifts, Thou light of the world, the
blessed Comforter, the dear guest of the soul, and its sweetest
refreshment; Thou, our repose in labor, our coolness in heat, our
comfort in affliction! O, most blessed Spirit, fill full the hearts of
Thy faithful people! Without Thy influence there is nothing in man which
is not weakness and guilt. O, cleanse that which is sordid; bedew that
which is dried up; heal that which is wounded; bend that which is
stubborn, cherish in Thy bosom that which is cold; guide that which is
wandering; and grant unto Thy servants, putting their trust in Thee, the
merit of Thy righteousness; grant them final salvation; grant them
everlasting joy! O Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come unto
Thee. Amen.
—Bernard of Clairvaux
Delight in Christ
Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts!
Thou fount of life! Thou light of men!
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.
Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on Thee call;
To them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
To them that find Thee—All in All!
We taste Thee, O Thou living bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the fountain head,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.
Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Where’er our changeful lot is cast;
Glad, when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay!
Make all our moments calm and bright
Chase the dark night of sin away—
Shed o’er the world Thy holy light!
Amen.
—Ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux
For Grace
O Lord Jesus, grant us Thy grace and give unto us time for repentance.
We would keep Thy commandments and do Thy bidding, choose the better
part and no longer follow after evil; grant us Thy strength that this
may so be, O loving Saviour for Thine own name’s sake. Amen.
—Dan Jeremy
THIRTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where hate rules, let me bring love,
Where malice, forgiveness,
Where disputes, reconciliation,
Where error, truth,
Where doubt, belief,
Where despair, hope,
Where darkness, Thy light,
Where sorrow, joy!
O Master, let me strive more to comfort others than to be comforted,
To understand others than to be understood,
To love others, more than to be loved!
For he who gives, receives,
He who forgets himself, finds,
He who forgives, receives forgiveness,
And dying, we rise again to eternal life. Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
The Daily Prayer of St. Francis
My God, and my all, who art Thou, sweetest Lord, my God? And who am I, a
poor worm, Thy servant? Holiest Lord, I would love Thee! Sweetest Lord,
I would love Thee! Lord, my God, I give to Thee all my heart and body,
and vehemently desire, if I might know how, to do more for Thy love.
Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
Praise
Now to that God, who has suffered so much for us, who at one giving has
conferred on us so many good things, and will yet confer so many more,
to this God let every creature who is in heaven or upon the earth, in
the sea or in the depth of the abyss, render praise, glory, honour and
blessing. He is himself our virtue and our strength. He alone is good,
lofty, almighty, admirable, and glorious; the only holy, worthy of
praise and blessed through ages of ages. Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
For the Knowledge of God’s Will
God, almighty, eternal, righteous, and merciful, give to us poor sinners
to do for Thy sake all that we know of Thy will, and to will always what
pleases Thee, so that inwardly purified, enlightened, and kindled by the
fire of the Holy Spirit, we may follow in the footprints of Thy
well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
Thanksgiving
Almighty, most holy, most high and supreme God, holy and just Father,
Lord, king of heaven and earth, for Thyself we give thanks to Thee
because by Thy holy will, and by Thine only Son, Thou hast created all
things spiritual and corporal in the Holy Ghost and didst place us made
to Thine image and likeness in paradise, whence we fell by our own
fault. And we give Thee thanks because, as by Thy Son Thou didst create
us, so by the true and holy love with which Thou hast loved us, Thou
didst cause Him, true God and true man, to be born.... And we give
thanks to Thee because Thy Son Himself is to come again in the glory of
His Majesty ... to say to all who have known Thee and adored Thee, and
served Thee in repentance: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the
Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” And since all
we wretches and sinners are not worthy to name Thee, we humbly beseech
Thee, that our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, in whom Thou art well
pleased, together with the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, may give thanks to
Thee as it is pleasing to Thee and Them, for all. Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
Praise and Guidance
Almighty, most holy, most high, and supreme God, highest good, all good,
wholly good, who alone art good, to Thee we render all praise, all
glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and we shall always refer
all good to Thee.
Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God, give to us wretches to do for
Thee what we know Thee to will and to will always that which is pleasing
to Thee; so that inwardly purified, inwardly illumined and kindled by
the flame of the Holy Ghost, we may be able to follow in the footsteps
of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and by Thy grace alone come to Thee
the Most High, who in perfect Trinity and simple unity livest and
reignest and gloriest God Almighty for ever and ever. Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
For the Brothers
Lord Jesus, Thou didst choose Thine apostles to the number of twelve,
and if one of them did betray Thee, the others, remaining united to
Thee, preached Thy holy Gospel, filled with one and the same
inspiration; and behold now, remembering the former days, Thou hast
raised up the Religion of the Brothers in order to uphold faith, and
that by them the mystery of Thy Gospel may be accomplished. Who will
take their place if, instead of fulfilling their mission and being
shining examples for all, they are seen to give themselves up to the
works of darkness? Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
For Thy Love
I beseech Thee, O Lord, that the fiery and sweet strength of Thy love
may absorb my soul from all things that are under heaven, that I may die
for love of Thy love as Thou didst deign to die for the love of my love.
Amen.
—Francis of Assisi
Thanksgiving
Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou
hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for
us. O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may we know Thee more
clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly; for Thine
own sake. Amen.
—Richard of Chichester
Daily Prayer
Grant me, I beseech Thee, O merciful God, prudently to study, rightly to
understand, and perfectly to fulfill that which is pleasing to Thee, to
the praise and glory of Thy name.
Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory; Thou art the everlasting Son of
the Father. Amen.
—Thomas Aquinas
For Steadfastness
Grant me, I beseech Thee, almighty and most merciful God, fervently to
desire, wisely to search out, and perfectly to fulfill, all that is
well-pleasing unto Thee. Order Thou my worldly condition to the glory of
Thy name; and, of all that Thou requirest me to do, grant me the
knowledge, the desire, and the ability, that I may so fulfill it as I
ought, and may my path to Thee, I pray, be safe, straightforward, and
perfect to the end.
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag
downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear
out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt
aside.
Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know Thee,
diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee, and a faithfulness that may
finally embrace Thee. Amen.
—Thomas Aquinas
For Love of Jesus
Ah! sweet Jesus, pierce the marrow of my soul with the healthful shafts
of Thy love, that it may truly burn, and melt, and languish, with the
only desire of Thee; that it may desire to be dissolved, and to be with
Thee; let it hunger alone for the bread of life: let it thirst after
Thee, the spring and fountain of eternal light, the stream of true
pleasure; let it always desire Thee, seek Thee, and find Thee, and
sweetly rest in Thee. Amen.
—Bonaventura
For Pardon, Purity, and Grace
O Holy God, in whom is all goodness, whose pity and mercy made Thee to
descend from the high throne down into this world, the valley of woe and
weeping, and here to take our nature, and in that nature to suffer pain
and death, to bring our souls to Thy Kingdom. Merciful Lord, forgive us
all our sins that we have done, thought, and said. O glorious Trinity,
send us cleanness of heart and purity of soul; restore us with Thy Holy
Spirit, and strengthen us with Thy might, that we may always withstand
evil temptations. Comfort us with Thy Holy Ghost, and fulfill us with
grace and charity, that we may henceforth live virtuously and love Thee
with all our heart, with all our might, and with all our soul, so that
we may never offend Thee, but ever follow Thy pleasure in will, word,
thought, and deed. Now grant us this, good Lord, that art infinite,
which eternally shall endure; through Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen.
—Richard Rolle
FOURTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Times of Anxiety
May Jesus Christ, the King of glory, help us to make the right use of
all the suffering that God sends, and to offer to Him the true incense
of our hearts; for His name’s sake. Amen.
—Johannes Tauler
For Love of God
Grant, most gracious God, that we may love and seek Thee always and
everywhere, above all things and for Thy sake, in the life present, and
may at length find Thee and for ever hold Thee fast in the life to come.
Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Thomas Bradwardine
A Memorial of the Resurrection
O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy glorious resurrection, in which Thou didst
appear alive and immortal to Thy disciples and faithful followers, by
Thy forty days’ abiding and sweet converse, in which by many infallible
proofs, speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, Thou didst
comfort them and assure them of Thine actual resurrection, removing all
doubt from their hearts. We beseech Thee, O Lord, grant that we may be
numbered among those who were fore-ordained by God to be witnesses of
Thy resurrection, not only by word of mouth, but in reality of good
works; for Thine honour and glory, who with the Father and the Holy
Ghost livest and reignest ever one God, world without end. Amen.
—Ludolphus of Saxony
For Heavenly-Mindedness
O most blessed Lord, deign to help us, and of Thy great mercy abolish
our sins; detach our minds from earthly things, and raise them to the
love of heavenly riches. Most merciful God, who dost favour all true
love, do Thou so aid and direct us that we may love Thee above all
things, and recognizing Thine infinite benefits, may keep them in
memory, and give Thee everlasting thanks for them. Finally, grant that
ours may be the blessed life which shall enjoy Thy love for ever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Raymond Jordanus
Self-Renunciation
If a man may attain thereunto, to be unto God as his hand is unto man,
let him be therewith content, and not seek further....
That we may thus deny ourselves, and forsake and renounce all things for
God’s sake, and give up our own wills, and die unto ourselves, and live
unto God alone and to his will, may He help us who gave up His will to
His heavenly Father,—Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be blessing for ever
and ever. Amen.
—Theologia Germanica
The God We Love
Now, he who will hold to God, loves all things in the One which is One
and All; and the One in All, because All is in the One; and he who loves
somewhat, this or that, otherwise than in the One, and for the sake of
the One, loves not God; for he loves somewhat which is not God,
therefore he loves it more than God. But he who loves somewhat more than
God, or equally with God, loves not God; for God must be and will be
alone loved, and in truth nothing ought to be loved but God alone. And
when the True Light and the True divine Love dwell in a man, he loves
nothing else but God alone. For he loves God as the Good, and for the
sake of the Good, and all Goods as One, and One as All. For, verily, All
is One and One is All in God. Amen.
—Theologia Germanica
FIFTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
The Quiet Hour
Lord, I offer unto Thee all my sins and offences, which I have committed
before Thee, from the day wherein I first could sin even to this hour;
that Thou mayest consume and burn them, one and all, with the fire of
Thy love, and do away all the stains of my sins, and cleanse my
conscience from all offences, and restore to me Thy grace, fully
forgiving me all, and admitting me mercifully to the kiss of peace. I
offer up also unto Thee all that is good in me, though it be very small
and imperfect, in order that Thou mayest amend and sanctify it, that
Thou mayest make it grateful and acceptable unto Thee, and always be
perfecting it more and more; and bring me also, slothful and
unprofitable poor creature as I am, to a good and blessed end. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis[2]
For Faithful and Prepared Lives
Who can tell what a day may bring forth? Cause us, therefore, gracious
God, to live every day as if it were to be our last, for that we know
not but it may be such. Cause us to live so at present as we shall wish
we had done when we come to die. O grant that we may not die with any
guilt upon our consciences, or any known sin unrepented of, but that we
may be found in Christ, who is our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Let Thy Will Be Mine
O most merciful Lord, grant to me Thy grace, that it may be with me, and
labor with me, and persevere with me even to the end. Grant that I may
always desire and will that which is to Thee most acceptable, and most
dear. Let Thy will be mine, and my will ever follow Thine, and agree
perfectly with it. Grant to me, above all things that can be desired, to
rest in Thee, and in Thee to have my heart at peace. Thou art the true
peace of the heart, Thou its only rest; out of Thee all things are hard
and restless. In this very peace, that is, in Thee, the one Chiefest
Eternal Good, I will sleep and rest. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Praise
I will say unto my God, my Lord, and my King, “O how great is the
abundance of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that
fear Thee.” But what art Thou to those who love Thee? What to those who
serve Thee with their whole heart? In this especially Thou hast showed
me the sweetness of Thy love; that, when I was not, Thou madest me, when
I went far astray from Thee, Thou broughtest me back again, that I might
serve Thee, and hast commanded me to love Thee. I would I were able, at
least for one day, to do Thee some worthy service. Truly, Thou art my
Lord, and I Thy servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my might;
and this I wish to do, this I desire; and whatsoever is wanting unto me,
do Thou, I beseech Thee, vouchsafe to supply. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Thy Will Be Done
O Lord, Thou knowest what is best for us, let this or that be done, as
Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, and how much Thou wilt, and when
Thou wilt. Deal with me as Thou thinkest good, and as best pleaseth
Thee. Set me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as
Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things; for I
desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and Oh, that I could do
it worthily and perfectly! Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
My Hope and Refuge
Ah, Lord God, Thou holy Lover of my soul, when Thou comest into my soul,
all that is within me shall rejoice. Thou art my Glory and the
exultation of my heart; Thou art my hope and refuge in the day of my
trouble. Set me free from all evil passions, and heal my heart of all
inordinate affections; that, being inwardly cured and thoroughly
cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to
persevere. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous,
nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of
God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. Let me love
Thee more than myself, nor love myself but for Thee; and in Thee all
that truly love Thee, as the law of love commandeth, shining out from
Thyself. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Others
I offer up unto Thee my prayers and intercessions, for those especially
who have in any matter hurt, grieved, or found fault with me, or who
have done me any damage or displeasure.
For all those also whom, at any time, I may have vexed, troubled,
burdened, and scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or in ignorance;
that Thou wouldst grant us all equally pardon for our offences against
each other.
Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspiciousness, indignation,
wrath, and contention, and whatsoever may hurt charity, and lessen
brotherly love.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy, give grace
unto them that stand in need thereof, and make us such as that we may be
worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
To Do Thy Will
O Lord, my God, Thou art to me whatsoever is good. Remember me because I
am nothing, I have nothing, and I can do nothing. Thou alone art good,
just, and holy; Thou canst do all things, Thou accomplishest all things,
Thou fillest all things. Remember Thy mercies, and fill my heart with
Thy grace, Thou who wilt not that Thy works should be void and in vain.
Turn not Thy face away from me; withdraw not Thy consolation, lest my
soul become as a thirsty land to Thee. Teach me, O Lord, to do Thy will;
teach me to live worthily and humbly in Thy sight. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
My Salvation and My Redemption
In confidence of Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near unto
Thee, as a sick person to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the
fountain of life, a creature to the creator, a desolate soul to my own
tender comforter. Behold, in Thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to
desire; Thou art my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my
strength. Rejoice therefore this day the soul of Thy servant; for unto
Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For the Holy Spirit
Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Grant me to be
strengthened with might in the inner man, and to empty my heart of all
useless care and anguish. O Lord, grant me heavenly wisdom, that I may
learn above all things to seek and to find Thee, above all things to
relish and to love Thee, and to think of all other things as being, what
indeed they are, at the disposal of Thy wisdom. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Thee, O Lord
Lord, what is my confidence which I have in this life? Is it not Thou, O
Lord, my God, whose mercies are without number? Where hath it ever been
well with me without Thee, or where could it be ill with me, when Thou
wert present? I rather choose to be a pilgrim on earth, than without
Thee to possess heaven. Where Thou art, there is heaven; and where Thou
art not, there is death and hell. There is none that can help me in my
necessities, but only Thou, my God; Thou art my hope, Thou my
confidence. Although Thou exposest me to divers temptations and
adversities, yet Thou orderest all this to my advantage; in which trial
of me Thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if Thou didst
fill me full of heavenly consolations. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Consolation
O Thou most sweet and loving Lord, Thou knowest mine infirmities, and
the necessities which I endure; in how great evils and sins I am
involved; how often I am weighed down, tempted, and disturbed by them. I
entreat of Thee consolation and support. I speak to Thee who knowest all
things, to whom all my inward thoughts are open, and who alone canst
perfectly comfort and help me. Thou knowest what things I stand in most
need of. Behold, I stand before Thee poor and naked, calling for grace,
and imploring mercy. Refresh Thy hungry supplicant, kindle my coldness
with the fire of Thy love, enlighten my blindness with the brightness of
Thy presence. Suffer me not to go away from Thee hungry and dry, but
deal mercifully with me, as often times Thou hast dealt wonderfully with
Thy saints. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Trust in Thee