for there have risen up against me sundry thoughts, and great fears,
afflicting my soul. How shall I pass through unhurt? How shall I break
them to pieces? This is my hope, my one only consolation, to flee unto
Thee in every tribulation, to trust in Thee, to call upon Thee from my
inmost heart, and to wait patiently for Thy consolation. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For the Comforter
Write Thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so
indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me
from Thy love. Be Thou to me a strong tower of defence, a comforter in
tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble,
and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this
life. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Love of God and His Laws
O most gracious God, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, we
beseech Thee to work in us both to will and to do according to Thy good
pleasure. Enlighten our minds that we may know Thee, and let us not be
unfruitful in that knowledge. Lord, work in our hearts a true faith, a
purifying hope, and an unfeigned love towards Thee. Give us a full trust
in Thee, zeal for Thee, reverence of all things that relate to Thee.
Make us fearful to offend Thee, thankful for Thy mercies, humble under
Thy corrections, devout in Thy service, and sorrowful for our sins.
Grant that in all things we may behave ourselves so as befits a creature
to his Creator, a servant to his Lord. Make us diligent in all our
duties, watchful against all temptations, pure and temperate and
moderate in Thy most lawful enjoyments, that they may never become a
snare to us. Help us, O Lord, to act towards our neighbour that we may
never transgress the royal law of Thine, of loving him as ourselves.
Finally, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to sanctify us throughout, that our
whole spirit, soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all
honour and glory for ever. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Consecration
Almighty God, who hast made all things for man, and man for Thy glory,
sanctify our body and soul, our thoughts and our intentions, our words
and actions, that whatsoever we shall think, or speak or do, may by us
be designed to the glorification of Thy name, and by Thy blessing, it
may be effectual and successful in the work of God, according as it can
be capable. Lord, turn necessities into virtues, the works of Nature
into the works of grace, by making them orderly, regular and temperate,
subordinate and profitable to ends beyond their own proper efficacy; and
let no pride or self-seeking, no impure motive, or unworthy purpose, no
little ends, and low imagination stain our spirit, and unhallow any of
our words and actions. But let our body be a servant to our spirit, and
both body and spirit servants of Jesus Christ, that doing all things for
Thy glory here, we may be partakers of Thy glory hereafter; through
Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Friends
Almighty, everlasting God, have mercy on Thy servants our friends. Keep
them continually under Thy protection, and direct them according to Thy
gracious favour in the way of everlasting salvation; that they may
desire such things as please Thee, and with all their strength perform
the same. And forasmuch as they trust in Thy mercy, vouchsafe, O Lord,
graciously to assist them with Thy heavenly help, that they may ever
diligently serve Thee, and by no temptations be separated from Thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
For Thy Spirit
The prayers I make will then be sweet indeed,
If Thou the spirit give by which I pray;
My unassisted heart is barren clay,
That of its native self can nothing feed;
Of good and pious works Thou art the seed
That quickens only where Thou say’st it may.
Unless Thou show to us Thy own true way,
No man can find it! Father! Thou must lead;
Do Thou then breathe those thoughts into my mind
By which such virtue may in me be bred
That in Thy holy footsteps I may tread;
The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind,
That I may have the power to sing to Thee,
And sound Thy praises everlastingly! Amen.
—Michelangelo
FOOTNOTES
[1]Old Spanish liturgy, later named Mozarabic.
[2]Gerhard Groot was the founder of the “Brothers of the Common Life.”
Some scholars claim The Imitation of Christ, usually attributed to
Thomas à Kempis, was done by Groot and edited by Thomas à Kempis.
INDEX
A
Absent Friends, 51, 87
Acceptable Service, 53
Adoration, 39
Afflicted, For the, 46, 48 (2)
Against Temptation, 19
Alcuin, 32, 33
Alfred the Great, 39, 40
Ancient Collects, 9, 12, 13, 14
Anselm, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
Answer to Prayer, 18 (1), 25 (2)
Anxiety, 74
Aquinas, Thomas, 70, 71
B
Bede, Venerable, 32
Belief, 66 (1)
Bereaved, 48 (2)
Benediction, 42, 55 (1), 67 (1)
Bernard of Clairvaux, 62, 63
Birthday, 42
Blessings, 42 (1)
Blessedness, 23 (1), 47, 75
Bonds, 60 (2)
Bonaventura, 71
Bradwardine, Thomas, 74
Brightness, 13, 19 (3), 52 (1), 56 (4), 57 (2), 84
Brokenhearted, 12 (3)
Brothers, For the, 69 (1)
Brotherly Kindness, 55
C
Care, Loving, 12 (3)
Charity, 23 (1), 81
Christian Graces, 34 (2)
Christmas, 19 (3), 23
Church, 10, 23
Cleansing, 9 (1), 11 (1), 12 (3), 17, 24 (2), 32, 62, 78 (1), 80
(2)
Clemency, 42 (3)
Collect, 9, 12, 13, 14
Columba, 14
Comfort, 12 (3), 53 (1), 66 (1)
Comforter, 25 (3), 62, 71, 85
Commandments, 40, 57 (1), 64
Companionship, 21
Compassion, 12 (3)
Confession, 20, 42, 62
Consecration, 83 (2), 86
Consolation, 82 (1), 84, 85 (1)
Correction, 46
Cross, 16 (1), 28 (1)
D
Daily Prayer, 20, 66, 70
Daily Living, 78
Darkness, 52 (1), 54 (1)
Dedication, 18
Defense from Evil, 58
Delight in Christ, 63
Deliverance, 11, 32 (3), 54, 55
Devotion, 50
Diligence, 70 (3)
Direction, 24
Distress, 46
Dionysius, 38
Divine Control, 57
Dunstan of Canterbury, 42, 43, 44
E
Easter, 8 (2), 28
Enemies, 48 (1)
Enlightenment, 14, 46 (1), 52, 57 (2), 85 (3)
Epiphany, 12, 19 (3)
Erigena, John Scotus, 38
Eternal Rest, 24 (3)
Ethelwold of York, 42
Evening, 13 (2), 21 (3), 27, 29
Evil, From, 11 (1)
Evil Thoughts, From, 9 (4)
Example, A Good, 29 (2)
F
Faith, 21, 23 (1), 26 (2), 48 (1)
Faithful and Prepared Lives, 78
For Thee, O Lord, 83
Forgiveness, 8, 11 (1), 17, 18 (1), 20 (1), 40, 42 (3), 46 (1), 49
(1), 63, 78 (2)
Footsteps, 88
Francis of Assisi, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70
Friends, 34, 47 (2), 51, 87
Future Life, 74 (3), 75 (1)
G
Gallican Collect, 33
Gallican Sacramentary, 33, 34, 35
Gentleness, 48 (1)
Giver of All Good Things, 23
Gladness, 13 (1), 20 (2), 28 (2), 53
Gloomy Thoughts, 13 (3)
God We Love, 76
God’s Supremacy, 39
God’s Will, 57, 67
Good Friday, 28
Goodness, 48 (1), 79 (2)
Good Will, 23 (2)
Grace, 9, 26 (2), 32 (3), 46, 54, 56, 64, 68, 72, 82 (1), 84
Gregory the Great, 8
Gregorian Sacramentary, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Guidance, 24 (3), 26, 39, 46, 62, 68
Guilt, 16 (1), 16 (2), 78 (2)
H
Healing, 25 (1), 52 (2), 62
Health, 11 (3), 56
Heavenly Mindedness, 48, 75
Heavenly Refreshment, 62
Heavenly Wisdom, 83 (1)
Help, 38 (2), 56 (2), 85 (2)
Holy Week, 49, 53
Holy Spirit, 25, 29 (1), 42 (2), 48, 52 (3), 54 (3), 56 (1), 67
(2), 83, 85 (1), 88
Hope, 13 (3), 23 (1), 66 (1), 80, 82 (2)
Humility, 34 (2), 48 (1), 59 (2), 82 (1), 85 (3)
I
Ignorance, 32 (3)
Illumination, 19, 29, 33, 52 (1)
Indignation, 81
Instrument of Thy Peace, 66
Intercession, 81
J
Jeremy, Dan, 64
Jordanus, Raymond, 75
Journey, 34
Joy, 21, 47 (1), 62, 66 (1)
Justice, 34
K
Kempis, Thomas à, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Kingdom, 54
Knowledge, 32 (1), 47 (1), 67
Knowledge of God’s Will, 57, 67
L
Law, God’s, 85
Liberty, 33 (2)
Life, 22 (3)
Life in Thee, 24 (1)
Light, 12 (1), 13, 14, 21 (2), 22, 29, 32 (3), 39 (2), 54, 66 (1)
Litany, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27
Love, 11, 14, 19 (2, 3), 22, 39, 40, 46, 48 (1), 49 (2), 56 (1),
57, 66 (1, 2), 69 (2), 71, 80
Love of God, 74, 85
Love of Thee, 50
Loving Care, 12
Loving-kindness, 20 (1), 50
Longsuffering, 48 (1)
Loyal Service, 59
Ludolphus of Saxony, 74, 75
M
Make Me an Instrument, 66
Meekness, 48 (1)
Mercy, 8 (3), 16 (1, 2), 17, 18 (1), 20 (2), 22 (2), 23 (2), 27
(2), 32 (3), 35 (2), 39 (1), 40, 42 (3), 52 (1), 55 (1),
56 (2), 81, 82 (1), 84
Michelangelo, 88
Ministers, 33 (1)
Morning, 9, 13, 20, 21 (3), 56 (2)
Mozarabic Breviary, 16, 17, 18, 19
Mozarabic Liturgy, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Mozarabic Sacramentary, 27, 28, 29, 30
N
Nations, For, 26
New Year, 25
Night, 13 (2)
O
Old Rheims Manuscript, 40
Orphan, For the, 17
Others, 12 (3), 81
P
Pardon, 12, 18 (1), 19, 46, 71
Passion, 16 (1, 2)
Passion Week, 49
Pastors, For, 10, 33 (1)
Patience, 48 (1), 85 (1)
Peace, 12 (2), 20 (2), 21 (3), 22, 28 (2), 33 (3), 48 (1), 53 (2),
55 (1), 58
Penitent, 17
Pentecost, 52
Perfection, 11 (3), 35, 50, 78 (1)
Perseverance, 26
Personal Dedication, 18
Petition, 32
Pity, 53 (2)
Power, 9 (2), 39 (2), 51
Praise, 56 (3), 67, 68, 79
Prisoner, 60
Protection, 8 (3), 11, 26, 59
Prudence, 34 (2)
Purified Lives, 59
Purity, 34 (2), 59, 71
Purity of Heart, 52 (3)
Q
Quiet Hour, 78
R
Recognition of God, 23
Reconciliation, 66 (1)
Redemption, 82
Refuge, 80
Rejoicing, 56 (3)
Release from Sins, 8 (1)
Remission of Sins, 16 (1)
Repentance, 18, 24, 63, 78 (1)
Repose, 23 (3)
Rest, 13, 79 (1)
Resurrection, 28 (2), 74
Reveal Thyself, 38 (2)
Richard of Chichester, 70
Righteousness, 57 (2)
Rock, 21 (1)
Rolle, Richard, 71, 72
Roman Breviary, 57, 58, 59, 60
Rulers, 10, 26
S
Salvation, 17, 27 (2), 57 (1), 62, 82
Sanctification, 24
Sarum Breviary, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57
Self-Renunciation, 75 (2)
Servants, 86
Service, 59
Set Free, 33
Sick, For the, 17, 25
Sin, 10 (1), 12 (2), 55, 59 (3), 75, 85 (3)
Sleep, 27 (1)
Sorrow, 51 (2)
Spirit, Thy, 88
Spirit of Truth, 32
Spiritual Gladness, 53
Spiritual Illumination, 29
Spiritual Oneness, 38 (1)
Steadfastness, 70
Strength, 10 (1), 11 (2), 12 (3), 21 (2), 39, 40, 51 (2), 58 (3),
60, 82 (2)
Studita, Theodore, 35, 36
Supplication, 56
Suffering, 25
Suspicion, 81
Sweetness, 79 (2)
T
Tauler, Johannes, 74
Teach Us, 39 (1)
Temperance, 34 (2)
Temptation, 10 (1), 11 (2), 19, 20 (2), 21 (2, 3), 39 (1), 58, 83
(2), 85 (3)
Thanksgiving, 28 (2), 54 (3), 67, 70
Theologia Germanica, 75, 76
Thomas à Kempis, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Thy Glory, 12 (1)
Thy Presence, 83 (1)
Thy Will, 80, 82
Today, For, 56
Transgressions, 53 (1)
Tribulations, 53 (2), 85 (1)
Trouble, In Time of, 52
True Worship, 27
True Peace, 79 (1)
Trust, 85
Truth, 32 (2), 56 (4), 66 (1)
U
Unanimity, 38
Understanding, 34, 39 (2)
Union with God, 49
Unity, 38
Unrest, 62
V
Venerable Bede, 32
W
Walk in Holiness, 56
Watchful Love, 26 (2)
Weakness, 50
Widow, For the, 17
Will, Thy, 79, 82
Whitsunday, 52
Wisdom, 32 (1), 34 (2), 52 (2)
Words, Dying, 44
World, 9
Worship, 27
Wrath, 81
Z
Zeal, 49
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