FOURTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Charity
O God of love, Who hast given a new commandment through Thine only
begotten Son, that we should love one another, even as Thou didst love
us, the unworthy and the wandering, and gavest Thy beloved Son for our
life and salvation; we pray Thee, Lord, give to us, Thy servants, in all
time of our life on the earth, a mind forgetful of past ill-will, a pure
conscience and sincere thoughts, and a heart to love our brethren; for
the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.
—Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril.
For Protection
Be gracious to our prayers, O merciful God, and guard Thy people with
loving protection; that they who confess Thine only begotten Son as God,
born in our bodily flesh, may never be corrupted by the deceits of the
devil; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Pardon
O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and
mercifully kindle in me the fire of Thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me
the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and
adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and to enjoy Thee, for
Christ’s sake. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Trust and Fuller Knowledge
Merciful Lord, the Comforter and Teacher of Thy faithful people,
increase in Thy Church the desires which Thou hast given, and confirm
the hearts of those who hope in Thee by enabling them to understand the
depth of Thy promises, that all Thine adopted sons may even now behold,
with the eyes of faith, and patiently wait for, the light which as yet
Thou dost not openly manifest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Salvation
O God, Who didst look on man when he had fallen down into death, and
resolve to redeem him by the advent of Thine only begotten Son; grant,
we beseech Thee, that they who confess His glorious Incarnation may also
be admitted to the fellowship of Him their Redeemer; through the same
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Freedom From Sin
O Lord, my Saviour, in whose power it is to remit sins, I beseech Thee
say unto me, “Loose thee from thy chains, come out of the bonds of thy
sins”; and when Thou sayest it, loose those cords of my errors wherewith
I am entangled and bound; for, though I am the most wicked of all men,
and to be abhorred by reason of my continuance in sins, yet when thou
commandest, I shall be free from them. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Pardon
Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out Thine hands on the Cross, and
redeem us by Thy Blood, forgive me, a sinner, for none of my thoughts
are hid from Thee. Pardon I ask, pardon I hope for, pardon I trust to
have. Thou who art pitiful and merciful, spare and forgive me. Amen.
—Ambrose.
For Purity
O Holy Spirit of God, very God, Who didst descend upon Christ at the
River Jordan, and upon the Apostles in the upper chamber, we have sinned
against heaven and before Thee; purify us again, we beseech Thee, with
Thy Divine fire, and have mercy upon us; for Christ’s sake. Amen.
—Nerses of Clajes.
Confession of Sin
O Thou that beholdest all things, we have sinned against Thee in
thought, word, and deed; blot out our transgressions, be merciful to us
sinners, and grant that our names may be found written in the book of
life, for the sake of Christ Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
—Nerses of Clajes.
For Protection
Lord Jesus Christ, Keeper and Preserver of all things, let Thy right
hand guard us by day and by night, when we sit at home, and when we walk
abroad, when we lie down and when we rise up, that we may be kept from
all evil, and have mercy upon us sinners. Amen.
—Nerses of Clajes.
A Prayer for Spiritual Blessings
Most high God, our loving Father, infinite in majesty, we humbly beseech
Thee for all Thy servants everywhere, that Thou wouldst give us a pure
mind, perfect love, sincerity in conduct, purity in heart, strength in
action, courage in distress, self-command in character. May our prayers
ascend to Thy gracious ears, and Thy loving benediction descend upon us
all, that we may in all things be protected under the shadow of Thy
wings. Grant us pardon of our sins; perfect our work; accept our
prayers; protect us by Thine own Name, O God of Jacob; send us Thy
saving help from Thy holy place, and strengthen us out of Zion. Remember
all Thy people everywhere, give us all the grace of devotion to Thy
will; fulfill our desires with good gifts, and crown us with Thy mercy.
When we serve Thee with faithful devotion, pardon our sins and correct
us with Fatherly tenderness. Grant that, being delivered from all
adversity, and both here and eternally justified, we may praise Thee
forever and ever, saying Holy, Holy, Holy; through Jesus Christ our Lord
and Saviour, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, ever
one God, world without end. Amen.
—Gallican Sacramentary.
For Those Gathered in Worship
O Lord God, Who hast taught us to pray all together, and hast promised
to hear the united voices of two or three invoking Thy Name; hear now, O
Lord, the prayers of Thy servants unto their salvation, and give us in
this world knowledge of Thy Truth, and in the world to come life
everlasting; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Armenian Liturgy.
For Right Blessings
O Lord our God, teach us, we beseech Thee, to ask Thee aright for the
right blessings. Steer Thou the vessel of our life toward Thyself, Thou
tranquil Haven of all storm-tossed souls. Show us the course wherein we
should go. Renew a willing spirit within us. Let Thy Spirit curb our
wayward senses, and guide and enable us unto that which is our true
good, to keep Thy laws, and in all our works evermore to rejoice in Thy
glorious and gladdening Presence. For Thine is the glory and praise from
all Thy saints forever and ever. Amen.
—Basil.
For Converts in Mission Fields
Remember, O Lord, all who in heathen lands are under instruction for
Holy Baptism; have mercy upon them and confirm them in the faith; remove
all the remains of idolatry and superstition from their hearts, that
being devoted to Thy law, Thy precepts, Thy fear, Thy truths, and Thy
commandments, they may grow to a firm knowledge of the word in which
they have been instructed, and may be found worthy to be made an
habitation of the Holy Ghost, by the laver of regeneration, for the
remission of their sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Basil.
For Light and Guidance
Eternal God, Thou uncreate and primal Light, Maker of all created
things, Fountain of pity, Thou Sea of Bounty, fathomless deep of
Loving-Kindness: lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us!
Lord, shine in our hearts, true Sun of Righteousness, and fill our souls
with Thy beauty.
Teach us always to keep in mind Thy judgments, and to discourse of them,
and own Thee continually as our Lord and Friend. Govern by Thy will the
works of our hands; and lead us in the right way, that we may do what is
well-pleasing and acceptable to Thee, that through us unworthy Thy holy
name may be glorified.
To Thee alone be praise and honor and worship eternally. Amen.
—Basil.
For Two or Three
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time to make our common
supplications unto Thee; and dost promise that when two or three are
gathered together in Thy name Thou wilt grant their requests: fulfill
now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most
expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth,
and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.
—Chrysostom.
For All People
Remember, O Lord, this city wherein we dwell and every other city and
country, and all the faithful who dwell in them. Remember, O Lord, all
who travel by land or water, all that labour under sickness or slavery;
remember them for health and safety. Remember, O Lord, those in Thy Holy
Church who bring forth good fruit, are rich in good works and forget not
the poor. Grant unto us all Thy mercy and loving-kindness, and grant
that we may with one mouth and one heart praise and glorify Thy great
and glorious name, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now, henceforth, and
forever. Amen.
—Chrysostom.
Invocation
Lord God, of might inconceivable, of glory incomprehensible, of mercy
immeasurable, of benignity ineffable; do Thou, O Master, look down upon
us in Thy tender love, and show forth, towards us and those who pray
with us, Thy rich mercies and compassions. Amen.
—Liturgy of St. Chrysostom.
For Refreshment
O Lord our God, under the shadow of Thy wings let us hope. Thou wilt
support us, both when little, and even to gray hairs. When our strength
is of Thee, it is strength; but, when our own, it is feebleness. We
return unto Thee, O Lord, that from their weariness our souls may rise
towards Thee, leaning on the things which Thou hast created, and passing
on to Thyself, who hast wonderfully made them; for with Thee is
refreshment and true strength. Amen.
—Augustine.
Adoration
O Thou Good Omnipotent, Who so carest for every one of us, as if Thou
caredst for him alone; and so for all, as if all were but one! Blessed
is the man who loveth Thee, and his friend in Thee, and his enemy for
Thee. For he only loses none dear to him, to whom all are dear in Him
who cannot be lost. And who is that but our God, the God that made
heaven and earth, and filleth them, even by filling them creating them.
And Thy law is truth, and truth is Thyself. I behold how some things
pass away that others may replace them, but Thou dost never depart, O
God, my Father supremely good, Beauty of all things beautiful. To Thee
will I intrust whatsoever I have received from Thee, so shall I lose
nothing. Thou madest me for Thyself, and my heart is restless until it
repose in Thee. Amen.
—Augustine.
The Holy Spirit
O holy Spirit, Love of God, infuse Thy grace, and descend plentifully
into my heart; enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,
and scatter there Thy cheerful beams; dwell in that soul that longs to
be Thy temple; water that barren soil, over-run with weeds and briars,
and lost for want of cultivating, and make it fruitful with Thy dew from
heaven. Oh come, Thou refreshment of them that languish and faint. Come,
Thou Star and Guide of them that sail in the tempestuous sea of the
world; Thou only Haven of the tossed and shipwrecked. Come, Thou Glory
and Crown of the living, and only Safeguard of the dying. Come, Holy
Spirit, in much mercy, and make me fit to receive Thee. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Entire Love
O Lord, my God, Light of the blind and Strength of the weak; yea, also,
Light of those that see, and Strength of the strong; hearken unto my
soul, and hear it crying out of the depths.
O Lord, help us to turn and seek Thee; for Thou hast not forsaken Thy
creatures as we have forsaken Thee, our Creator. Let us turn and seek
Thee, for we know Thou art here in our hearts, when we confess to Thee,
when we cast ourselves upon Thee, and weep in Thy bosom, after all our
rugged ways; and Thou dost gently wipe away our tears, and we weep the
more for joy; because Thou, Lord, who madest us dost remake and comfort
us.
Hear, Lord, my prayer, and grant that I may most entirely love Thee, and
do Thou rescue me, O Lord, from every temptation, even unto the end.
Amen.
—Augustine.
For Steadfastness
O God, the light of every heart that sees Thee, the Life of every soul
that loves Thee, the strength of every mind that seeks Thee, grant me
ever to continue steadfast in Thy holy love. Be Thou the joy of my
heart; take it all to Thyself, and therein abide. The house of my soul
is, I confess, too narrow for Thee; do thou enlarge it, that Thou mayest
enter in; it is ruinous, but do Thou repair it. It has that within which
must offend Thine eyes; I confess and know it; but whose help shall I
implore in cleansing it, but Thine alone? To Thee, therefore, I cry
urgently, begging that Thou wilt cleanse me from my secret faults, and
keep Thy servant from presumptuous sins, that they never get dominion
over me. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Perseverance
I know, O Lord, and do with all humility acknowledge myself an object
altogether unworthy of Thy love; but sure I am, Thou art an object
altogether worthy of mine. I am not good enough to serve Thee, but Thou
hast a right to the best service I can pay. Do Thou then impart to me
some of that excellence, and that shall supply my own want of worth.
Help me to cease from sin according to Thy will, that I may be capable
of doing Thee service according to my duty. Enable me so to guard and
govern myself, so to begin and finish my course, that, when the race of
life is run, I may sleep in peace, and rest in Thee. Be with me unto the
end, that my sleep may be rest indeed, my rest perfect security, and
that security a blessed eternity. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Mercy
Come, O Lord, in much mercy down into my soul, and take possession and
dwell there. A homely mansion, I confess, for so glorious a Majesty, but
such as Thou art fitting up for the reception of Thee, by holy and
fervent desires of Thine own inspiring. Enter then, and adorn, and make
it such as Thou canst inhabit, since it is the work of Thy hands. Give
me Thine own self, without which, though Thou shouldst give me all that
ever Thou hast made, yet could not my desires be satisfied. Let my soul
ever seek Thee, and let me persist in seeking, till I have found, and am
in full possession of Thee. Amen.
—Augustine.
Refuge and Peace
O Thou full of compassion, I commit and commend myself unto Thee, in
whom I am, and live, and know. Be Thou the Goal of my pilgrimage, and my
Rest by the way. Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of
worldly thoughts beneath the shadow of Thy wings; let my heart, this sea
of restless waves, find peace in Thee, O God. Thou bounteous Giver of
all good gifts, give to him who is weary refreshing food; gather our
distracted thoughts and powers into harmony again; and set the prisoner
free. See, he stands at thy door and knocks; be it open to him, that he
may enter with a free step, and be quickened by Thee. For Thou art the
Well-spring of Life, the Light of eternal Brightness, wherein the just
live who love Thee. Be it unto me according to Thy word. Amen.
—Augustine.
Perfect Love
Grant me, even me, my dearest Lord, to know Thee, and love Thee, and
rejoice in Thee. And, if I cannot do these perfectly in this life, let
me at least advance to higher degrees every day, till I can come to do
them in perfection. Let the knowledge of Thee increase in me here, that
it may be full hereafter. Let the love of Thee grow every day more and
more here, that it may be perfect hereafter; that my joy may be great in
itself, and full in Thee. I know, O God, that Thou art a God of truth, O
make good Thy gracious promises to me, that my joy may be full. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Perfect Light
O Thou holy and unspeakable, Thou wonderful and mighty God, whose power
and wisdom hath no end, before whom all powers tremble, at whose glance
the heavens and the earth flee away, Thou art Love, Thou art my Father,
and I will love and worship Thee forever and ever!
Thou hast deigned to show pity on me, and a ray from Thy light hath
shone upon mine inward eye. Guide me on into the perfect light, that it
may illumine me wholly, and that all darkness may flee away. Let the
holy flame of Thy love so burn in my heart that it be made pure, and I
may see Thee, O God; for it is the pure in heart who see Thee. Thou hast
set me free; Thou hast drawn me to Thee; therefore forsake me not, but
keep me always in Thy grace. Guide me, and rule me, and perfect me for
Thy kingdom. Amen.
—Augustine.
For More Love
Thee, most merciful God, do I now invoke to descend into my soul, which
Thou hast prepared for Thy reception by the desire which Thou hast
breathed into it. Ere ever I cried to Thee, Thou, most Merciful, hadst
called and sought me, that I might find Thee, and finding love Thee.
Even so I sought and found Thee, Lord, and desire to love Thee. Increase
my desire, and grant me what I ask. See, I love Thee, but too little;
strengthen my love. When my spirit aspires to Thee, and meditates on
Thine unspeakable goodness, the burden of the flesh becomes less heavy,
the tumult of thought is stilled, the weight of mortality is less
oppressive. Then fain would my soul find wings, that she might rise in
tireless flight ever upwards to Thy glorious throne, and there be filled
with the refreshing solace that belongs to the citizens of heaven. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Mercy and Grace
O God, our true Life, in whom and by whom all things live, Thou
commandest us to seek Thee, and art ready to be found; Thou biddest us
knock, and openest when we do so. To know Thee is life, to serve Thee is
freedom, to enjoy Thee is a kingdom, to praise Thee is the joy and
happiness of the soul. I praise, and bless, and adore Thee, I worship
Thee, I glorify Thee, I give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. I
humbly beseech Thee to abide with me, to reign in me, to make this heart
of mine a holy temple, a fit habitation for Thy Divine majesty. O Thou
Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible! keep, I
beseech Thee, the work of Thine own hands, who trusts in Thy mercy alone
for safety and protection. Guard me with the power of Thy grace, here
and in all places, now and at all times, forevermore. Amen.
—Augustine.
For a Safe Voyage
Blessed are all Thy saints, my God and King, who have travelled over the
tempestuous sea of mortality, and have at last made the desired port of
peace and felicity. Oh, cast a gracious eye upon us who are still in our
dangerous voyage. Remember and succor us in our distress, and think on
them that lie exposed to the rough storms of troubles and temptations.
Strengthen our weakness, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war;
help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the
treachery of our unfaithful hearts. We are exceeding frail, and
indisposed to every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Grant, O Lord,
that we may bring our vessel safe to shore, unto our desired haven.
Amen.
—Augustine.
For Perfect Love
Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish
before the beams of Thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to
us the treasures of Thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto Thee,
therefore perfect what Thou hast begun, and what Thy Spirit has awakened
us to ask in prayer. We seek Thy face, turn Thy face unto us and show us
Thy Glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be
perfect. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Obedience and Love
Thou, O Lord, who commandest me to ask, grant that I may receive; Thou
hast put me upon seeking, let me be happy in finding; Thou hast bidden
me knock, I pray Thee open unto me. Be graciously pleased to direct and
govern all my thoughts and actions, that, for the future, I may serve
Thee, and entirely devote myself to obeying Thee. Accept me, I beseech
Thee, and draw me to Thyself, that I may henceforth be Thine by
obedience and love, who am already all Thine own, as Thy creature. Even
Thine, O Lord, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Light
O God our Father, who dost exhort us to pray, and who dost grant what we
ask, if only, when we ask, we live a better life; hear me, who am
trembling in this darkness, and stretch forth Thy hand unto me; hold
forth Thy light before me; recall me from my wanderings; and, Thou being
my Guide, may I be restored to myself and to Thee, through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
—Augustine.
For Illumination
Late have I loved Thee, O Thou Eternal Truth and Goodness: late have I
sought Thee, my Father! But Thou didst seek me, and when Thou shinedst
forth upon me, then I knew Thee and learnt to love Thee. I thank Thee, O
my Light, that Thou didst thus shine upon me; that Thou didst teach my
soul what Thou wouldst be to me, and didst incline Thy face in pity unto
me. Thou, Lord, hast become my Hope, my Comfort, my Strength, my All! In
Thee doth my soul rejoice. The darkness vanished from before mine eyes,
and I beheld Thee, the Son of Righteousness. When I loved darkness, I
knew Thee not, but wandered on from night to night. But Thou didst lead
me out of that blindness; Thou didst take me by the hand and call me to
Thee, and now I can thank Thee, and Thy mighty voice which hath
penetrated to my inmost heart. Amen.
—Augustine.
Obligation to Others
O Lord, our Saviour, who hast warned us that thou wilt require much of
those to whom much is given; grant that we whose lot is cast in so
goodly a heritage may strive together the more abundantly to extend to
others what we so richly enjoy; and as we have entered into the labours
of other men, so to labour that in their turn other men may enter into
ours, to the fulfillment of Thy holy will; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Refreshment
O Holy Spirit, Love of God, infuse Thy grace, and descend plentifully
into my heart; enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,
and scatter there Thy cheerful beams; dwell in that soul that longs to
be Thy temple; water that barren soil, over-run with weeds and briars,
and lost for want of cultivating, and make it fruitful with Thy dew from
heaven. Oh come, Thou refreshment of them that languish and faint. Come,
Thou Star and Guide of them that sail in the tempestuous sea of the
world; Thou only Haven of the tossed and ship-wrecked. Come, Thou Glory
and Crown of the living, and only Safeguard of the dying. Come, Holy
Spirit, in much mercy, and make me fit to receive Thee. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Increased Godly Knowledge
Grant us, even us, O Lord, to know Thee, and love Thee, and rejoice in
Thee. And if we cannot do these perfectly in this life, let us, at
least, advance to higher degrees every day, till we can come to do them
in perfection. Let the knowledge of Thee increase in us here, that it
may be full hereafter. Let the love of Thee grow every day more and more
here, that it may be perfect hereafter; that our joy may be great in
itself and full in Thee. We know, O God, that Thou art a God of truth, O
make good Thy gracious promises to us, that our joy may be full. To
Thine honour and glory, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth
and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.
—Augustine.
Praise
Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power,
and Thy wisdom is infinite. Thee would we praise without ceasing. Thou
callest us to delight in Thy praise, for Thou hast made us for Thyself,
and our hearts find no rest until we rest in Thee; Who with the Father
and the Holy Ghost all glory, praise, and honour be ascribed, both now
and forevermore. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Grace
We ask not of Thee, O Father, silver and gold, honour and glory, nor the
pleasures of the world, but do Thou grant us grace to seek Thy Kingdom
and Thy righteousness, and do Thou add unto us things necessary for the
body and for this life. Behold, O Lord, our desire; may it be pleasing
in Thy sight. We present our petition unto Thee through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who is at Thy right hand, our mediator and Advocate, through
Whom Thou soughtest us that we might seek Thee; Thy Word, through Whom
Thou madest us and all things; Thy only begotten Son, through Whom Thou
callest us to adoption, Who intercedeth with Thee for us, and in Whom
are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; to Him, with Thyself
and the Holy Spirit, be all honour, praise, and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
—Augustine.
For Peace
O Lord God, grant Thy peace to us, for Thou hast supplied us with all
things—the peace of rest, the peace of the Sabbath, which hath no
evening; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Augustine.
Evening Prayer
Watch Thou, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep to night,
and give Thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Thy sick ones, O
Lord Christ. Rest Thy weary ones. Bless Thy dying ones. Soothe Thy
suffering ones. Pity Thine afflicted ones. Shield Thy joyous ones. And
all, for Thy Love’s sake. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Perfection
Hear, Lord, my prayer; let not my soul faint under Thy discipline, nor
let me faint in confessing unto Thee all Thy mercies whereby Thou hast
drawn me out of all my most evil ways, that Thou mightest become a
delight to me above all the allurements which I once pursued; that I may
most entirely love Thee, and clasp Thy hand with all my affections, and
Thou mayest yet rescue me from every temptation, even unto the end. For
lo, O Lord, my King and my God, for Thy service be whatever useful thing
my childhood learned; for Thy service that I speak, write, read, reckon.
For Thou didst grant me Thy discipline while I was learning vanities;
and my sin of delighting in those vanities Thou hast forgiven. In them,
indeed, I learnt many a useful word, but these may as well be learned in
things not vain; and that is the safe path for the steps of youth. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Light
O let the Light, the Truth, the Light of my heart, not mine own
darkness, speak unto me. I fell off into that, and became darkened; but
even thence, even thence I loved Thee. I went astray, and remembered
Thee. I heard Thy voice behind me, calling me to return, and scarcely
heard it, through the tumultuousness of the enemies of peace. And now,
behold, I return in distress and panting after Thy fountain. Let no man
forbid me! of this will I drink, and so live. Let me not be mine own
life; from myself I lived ill, death was I to myself; and I revive in
Thee. Do Thou speak unto me, do Thou discourse unto me. I have believed
Thy Books, and their words be most full of mystery. Amen.
—Augustine.
Communion with God
O how shall I call upon God, my God and Lord, since, when I call for
Him, I shall be calling Him into myself? And what room is there within
me, whither my God can come into me? Whither can God come into me, God
who made heaven and earth? Is there, indeed, O Lord my God, aught in me
that can contain Thee? Do, then, heaven and earth, which Thou hast made,
and wherein Thou hast made me, contain Thee? Or, because nothing which
exists could exist without Thee, doth therefore whatever exists contain
Thee? Since, then, I too exist, why do I seek that Thou shouldest enter
into me, who were not, wert Thou not in me? Why? Because I am not gone
down in hell, and yet Thou art there also. For if I go down into hell,
Thou art there. I could not be, then, O my God, could not be at all,
wert Thou not in me; or rather, unless I were in Thee, of whom are all
things, by whom are all things, in whom are all things! Even so, Lord,
even so. Whither do I call Thee, since I am in Thee? Or whence canst
Thou enter into me? For whither can I go beyond heaven and earth, that
thence my God should come into me, who hath said, “I fill the heaven and
the earth”?
O God, the vessels which Thou fillest uphold Thee not, since, though
they were broken, Thou wert not poured out, on us, Thou art not cast
down, but Thou upliftest us; Thou art not dissipated, but Thou gatherest
us.... Amen.
—Augustine.
Rest in Thee
O Lord God, give peace unto us (for Thou hast given us all things): the
peace of rest, the peace of the Sabbath, which hath no evening: Yea,
give us rest in Thee, the Sabbath of eternal life. For Thou shalt rest
in us, as now Thou workest in us; and Thy rest shall be through us, as
Thy works are through us. Amen.
—Augustine.
For Light
O Lord, who art the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life; in whom there
is no darkness, error, vanity, or death—the Light without which there is
darkness; the Way without which there is wandering; the Truth without
which there is error; the life without which there is Death; say, Lord,
let there be Light, and I shall see Light, and eschew Darkness; I shall
see the way and avoid wandering; I shall see the Truth and shun error; I
shall see Life and escape Death: Illuminate, O illuminate my blind soul
which sitteth in darkness and the shadow of Death; and direct my feet
into the way of peace. Amen.
—Augustine.
A Morning Prayer
O God, who art faithful and true, who “hast mercy on thousands and ten
thousands of them that love Thee,” the lover of the humble, and the
protector of the needy, of whom all things stand in need, for all things
are subject to Thee; look down upon this Thy people, who bow down their
heads to Thee, and bless them with spiritual blessing. “Keep them as the
apple of an eye,” preserve them in piety and righteousness, and
vouchsafe them eternal life in Christ Jesus Thy beloved Son, with whom
glory, honour, and worship be to Thee and to the Holy Spirit, now and
always, and forever and ever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
The Thanksgiving for the Morning
O God, the God of spirits and of all flesh, who art beyond compare, and
standest in need of nothing, who hast given the sun to have rule over
the day, and the moon and the stars to have rule over the night, do Thou
now also look down upon us with gracious eyes, and receive our morning
thanksgivings, and have mercy upon us; for we have not “spread out our
hands unto a strange God;” for there is not among us any new God, but
Thou, the eternal God, who art without end, who hast given us our being
through Christ, and given us our well-being through Him. Do Thou
vouchsafe us also, through Him, eternal life; with whom glory, and
honour, and worship be to Thee and to the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
A Morning Prayer
“Glory be to God in the highest, and upon earth peace, good-will among
men.” We praise Thee, we sing hymns to Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify
Thee, we worship Thee by Thy great High Priest; Thee who art the true
God, who art the One Unbegotten, the only inaccessible Being. For Thy
great glory, O Lord and heavenly King, O God the Father Almighty, O Lord
God, the Father of Christ the immaculate Lamb, who taketh away the sin
of the world, receive our prayer, Thou that sittest upon the cherubim.
For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord Jesus, the Christ of the
God of all created nature, and our King, by whom glory, honour, and
worship be to Thee. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
An Evening Prayer
Save us, O God, and raise us up by Thy Christ. Let us stand up, and beg
for the mercies of the Lord, and His compassions, for the angel of
peace, for what things are good and profitable, for a Christian
departure out of this life, an evening and a night of peace, and free
from sin; and let us beg that the whole course of our life may be
unblamable. Let us dedicate ourselves and one another to the living God
through His Christ. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
An Evening Prayer
O God, who art without beginning and without end, the Maker of the whole
world by Christ, and the Provider for it, but before all His God and
Father, the Lord of the Spirit, and the King of intelligible and
sensible beings; who hast made the day for the works of light, and the
night for the refreshment of our infirmity,—for “the day is Thine, the
night also is Thine: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun,”—do Thou
now, O Lord, Thou lover of mankind, and Fountain of all good, mercifully
accept of this our evening thanksgiving. Thou who hast brought us
through the length of the day, and hast brought us to the beginnings of
the night, preserve us by Thy Christ, afford us a peaceable evening, and
a night free from sin, and vouchsafe us everlasting life by Thy Christ,
through whom glory, honour, and worship be to Thee in the Holy Spirit
forever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
An Evening Prayer
“Ye children, praise the Lord: Praise the name of the Lord.” We praise
Thee, we sing hymns to Thee, we bless Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord
our King, the Father of Christ the immaculate Lamb, who taketh away the
sin of the world. Praise becomes Thee, hymns become Thee, glory becomes
Thee, the God and Father, through the Son, in the most holy Spirit,
forever and ever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
Table Grace
Thou art blessed, O Lord, who nourishest me from my youth, who givest
food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that having
always what is sufficient for us, we may abound to every good work, in
Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory, honour, and power be to Thee
forever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
For the First-Fruits
We give thanks to Thee, O Lord Almighty, the Creator of the whole world,
and its Preserver, through Thy only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
for the first-fruits which are offered to Thee, not in such a manner as
we ought, but as we are able. For what man is there that can worthily
give Thee thanks for those things Thou hast given them to partake of?
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, and of all the saints,
who madest all things fruitful by Thy word, and didst command the earth
to bring forth various fruits for our rejoicing and our food; who hast
given to the duller and more sheepish sort of creatures juices—herbs to
them that feed on herbs, and to some flesh, to others seeds, but to us
corn, as advantageous and proper food, and many other things—some for
our necessities, some for our health, and some for our pleasure. On all
these accounts, therefore, art Thou worthy of exalted hymns of praise
for Thy beneficence by Christ, through whom glory, honour, and worship
be to Thee, in the Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
Thanks For Thy Mercies
We give Thee thanks for all things, O Lord Almighty, that Thou hast not
taken away Thy mercies and Thy compassions from us; but in every
succeeding generation Thou dost save, and deliver, and assist, and
protect: for Thou didst assist in the days of Enos and Enoch, in the
days of Moses and Joshua, in the days of the judges, in the days of
Samuel and of Elijah and of the prophets, in the days of David and of
the kings, in the days of Esther and Mordecai, and in our days hast Thou
assisted us by Thy great High Priest, Jesus Christ Thy Son. For He has
delivered us from the sword, and hath freed us from famine, and
sustained us; has delivered us from sickness, has preserved us from an
evil tongue. For all which things do we give Thee thanks through Christ,
who has given us an articulate voice to confess withal, and added to it
a suitable tongue as an instrument to modulate withal, and a proper
taste, and a suitable touch, and a sight for contemplation, and the
hearing of sounds, and the smelling of vapours, and hands for work, and
feet for walking. Thou hast instructed [man] by Thy laws, improved him
by Thy statutes; and when Thou bringest on a dissolution for a while,
Thou hast promised a resurrection. Wherefore what life is sufficient,
what length of ages will be long enough, for men to be thankful? To do
it worthily it is impossible, but to do it according to our ability is
just and right. Thou hast delivered us from error and ignorance; Thou
hast sent Christ among men as a man, being the only begotten God; Thou
hast made the Comforter to inhabit among us; Thou hast set angels over
us; Thou hast put the devil to shame; Thou hast brought us into being
when we were not; Thou takest care of us when made; Thou measurest out
life to us; Thou affordest us food; Thou hast promised repentance. Glory
and worship be to Thee for all these things, through Jesus Christ, now
and ever, and through all ages. Amen.
—Adapted: Apostolic Constitutions.
For The Holy Spirit
O God Almighty, the Father of Thy Christ, Thy only begotten Son, give me
a body undefiled, a heart pure, a mind watchful, an unerring knowledge,
the influence of the Holy Ghost for the obtaining and assured enjoying
of the truth, through Thy Christ, by whom glory be to Thee, in the Holy
Spirit, for ever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
For the Faithful
O Lord Almighty, the Most High, who dwellest on high, the Holy One, that
restest among the saints, without beginning, the Only Potentate, who
hast given to us by Christ the preaching of knowledge, to the
acknowledgment of Thy glory and of Thy name, which He has made known to
us, for our comprehension, do Thou now also look down through Him upon
this Thy flock, and deliver it from all ignorance and wicked practice,
and grant that we may fear Thee in earnest, and love Thee with
affection, and have a due reverence of Thy glory. Be gracious and
merciful to them, and hearken to them when they pray unto Thee; and keep
them, that they may be unmoveable, unblameable, and unreprovable, that
they may be holy in body and spirit, not having spot or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that they may be complete, and none of them may be
defective or imperfect. O our support, our powerful God, who dost not
accept persons, be Thou the assister of this Thy people, which Thou hast
redeemed with the precious blood of Thy Christ; be Thou their protector,
aider, provider, and guardian, their strong wall of defence, their
bulwark and security. For “none can snatch out of Thy hand:” for there
is no other God like Thee; for on Thee is our reliance. “Sanctify them
by Thy truth: for Thy word is truth.” Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
On the Lord’s Day
O Lord Almighty, Thou hast created the world by Christ, and hast
appointed the Sabbath in memory thereof, because that on that day Thou
hast made us rest from our works, for the meditation upon Thy laws. Thou
hast also appointed festivals for the rejoicing of our souls, that we
might come into the remembrance of that wisdom which was created by
Thee; how He submitted to be made of a woman on our account; He appeared
in life, and demonstrated Himself in His baptism; how he that appeared
is both God and man; He suffered for us by Thy permission, and died, and
rose again by Thy power: on which account we solemnly assemble to
celebrate the feast of the resurrection on the Lord’s day, and rejoice
on account of Him who has conquered death, and hast brought life and
immortality to light. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
For the Holy Communion
We thank Thee, our Father, for that life which Thou hast made known to
us by Jesus Thy Son, by whom madest all things, and takest care of the
whole world; whom Thou hast sent to become man for our salvation; whom
Thou hast permitted to suffer and to die; whom Thou hast raised up, and
been pleased to glorify, and hast set Him down on Thy right hand; by
whom Thou hast promised us the resurrection of the dead. Do Thou, O Lord
Almighty, everlasting God, so gather together Thy Church from the ends
of the earth into Thy kingdom, as this corn was once scattered, and is
now become one loaf. We also, our Father, thank Thee for the precious
blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for us, and for His precious body,
whereof we celebrate this representation, as Himself appointed us, “to
show forth His death.” For through Him glory is to be given to Thee for
ever. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.
After the Holy Communion
We thank Thee, O God and Father of Jesus our Saviour, for Thy holy name,
which Thou hast made to inhabit among us; and that knowledge, faith,
love, and immortality which Thou hast given us through Thy Son Jesus.
Thou, O Almighty Lord, the God of the universe, hast created the world,
and the things that are therein by Him; and hast planted a law in our
souls, and beforehand didst prepare things for the convenience of men. O
God of our holy and blameless fathers, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
Thy faithful servants; Thou, O God, who art powerful, faithful and true,
and without deceit in Thy promises; who didst send upon earth Jesus Thy
Christ to live with men, as a man, when He was God the Word, and man, to
take away error by the roots: do Thou even now, through Him, be mindful
of this Thy holy Church, which Thou hast purchased with the precious
blood of Thy Christ, and deliver it from all evil, and perfect it in Thy
love and Thy truth, and gather us all together into Thy kingdom which
Thou hast prepared. Let this Thy kingdom come. Amen.
—Apostolic Constitutions.