FIFTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Thy Peace
Make Thy tranquillity, O Lord, to dwell amongst us, and Thy peace to
abide in our hearts. May our voices proclaim Thy truth, and may Thy
cross be the guardian of our souls. Account us worthy, O Lord, with
boldness which is of Thee, to offer unto Thee of Thy grace a pure and
holy prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Liturgy of The Nestorians.
Intercession
Almighty God, we beseech Thee to hear our prayers for all who sin
against Thee, or neglect to serve Thee, all who forget Thee, all who
leave Thee out of their lives. O Lord, have mercy upon them; bestow upon
us all true repentance and an earnest longing for Thyself. Vouchsafe, we
beseech Thee, O Lord, to strengthen and confirm all Thy faithful people,
and to lift up the light of Thy face upon them, giving them continually
heavenly desires; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect.
An Evening Thanksgiving
Accept, we beseech Thee, our evening thanksgiving, O Thou Fountain of
all good, who hast led us in safety through the length of the day; Who
daily blessest us with so many temporal mercies, and hast given us the
hope of resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
—An Ancient Collect.
For Blessing
Bless all who worship Thee, from the rising of the sun unto the going
down of the same. Of Thy goodness, give us; with Thy love, inspire us;
by Thy spirit guide us; by Thy power, protect us; in Thy mercy, receive
us now and always. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect.
For Communicants
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech Thee, and grant to
all communicants of Thy Church this day, true repentance and living
faith. And we pray that all those who shall from time to time receive
Thy creatures of bread and wine, according to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ’s Holy Institution, in remembrance of His Death and Passion, may
be partakers of His most blessed Body and Blood; to Whom with Thee and
the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
—An Ancient Liturgy.
For Right Living
Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always
such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do anything that is good
without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Heavenly-Mindedness
Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things
heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are
passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Love of God’s Law
We beseech Thee, O Lord, be gracious to Thy people, that we, leaving day
by day the things which displease Thee, may be more and more filled with
the love of Thy commandments, and being supported by Thy comfort in this
present life, may advance to the full enjoyment of life immortal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Christ’s Presence
Be present, O Lord, to our supplications; that as we trust that the
Saviour of mankind is seated with Thee in Thy Majesty, so we may feel
that, according to His promise, He abideth with us unto the end of the
world; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For National Peace
We beseech Thee, O Lord, be gracious to our times; that both national
quietness and Christian devotion may be duly maintained by Thy bounty;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Light and Guidance
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 survive the
storms of this world, and with Thee for our Pilot attain the haven of
eternal brightness; through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord, Who dost live and
govern all things, world without end. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Acceptable Petitions
Let the prayers of Thy children, O Lord, come up to the ears of Thy
mercy; and that we may obtain what we ask, make us ever to ask what
pleaseth Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Peace
Mercifully receive, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people, that all
adversities and errors may be destroyed, and they may serve Thee in
quiet freedom, and give Thy peace in our times; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Those Who Minister
O God, Whose ways are all mercy and truth, carry on Thy gracious work,
and bestow, by Thy benefits, what human frailty cannot attain; that they
who attend upon the heavenly mysteries may be grounded in perfect faith,
and shine forth conspicuous by the purity of their souls; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Good Use of Blessings
Almighty and everlasting God, who healest us by chastening, and
preservest us by pardoning; grant unto Thy suppliants, that we may both
rejoice in the comfort of the tranquillity which we desired, and also
use the gift of Thy peace for the effectual amendment of our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Cleansing
Cleanse us, O Lord, from our secret faults, and mercifully absolve us
from our presumptuous sins, that we may receive Thy holy things with a
pure mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Leonine Sacramentary.
For Grace and Protection
Incline mercifully Thine ear, O Lord, to these our prayers, and fill our
hearts with Thy grace, that loving Thee with an unfeigned love we may
evermore be defended under Thy most gracious protection, and be accepted
in all our prayers and services; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect.
A Morning Prayer
Almighty God, who fillest all things with Thy presence, we meekly
beseech thee, of thy great love, to keep us near unto thee this day;
grant that in all our ways and doings we may remember that thou seest
us, and may always have grace to know and perceive what things thou
wouldst have us to do, and strength to fulfil the same; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—An Ancient Collect.
For the Sorrowing
Almighty and everlasting God, the Comfort of the sad, the Strength of
sufferers, let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come
unto Thee, that all may rejoice to find that Thy mercy is present with
them in their afflictions; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Protection
O Lord, give ear unto our prayers and dispose the way of Thy servants in
safety under Thy protection, that amid all the changes of this our
pilgrimage, we may ever be guarded by Thine Almighty aid; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Love of God
O God, Who hast prepared for them that love Thee such good things as
pass man’s understanding; pour into our hearts such love towards Thee,
that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which
exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For God’s Guidance
O Lord, from Whom all good things do come; grant to us, Thy humble
servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be
good, and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Refreshment
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, to behold our prayers, and to pour out
upon us Thy loving tenderness; that we who are afflicted by reason of
our sins, may be refreshed by the coming of our Saviour; through the
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Light
Incline, O Lord, Thy merciful ears, and illuminate the darkness of our
hearts by the light of Thy visitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For True Joy
Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of
sinful men; grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which
thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among
the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely
there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Goodness
Lord of all Power and Might, who art the Author and Giver of all good
things; graft in our hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true
religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us
in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
On a Fast-Day
O God, who in Thy deep counsel and foresight for mankind hast appointed
holy fasts, whereby the hearts of the weak might receive salutary
healing, do Thou purify our souls and bodies, O Saviour of body and
soul, O loving Bestower of eternal happiness! through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
A Prayer for Divine Help
Stretch forth, O Lord, Thy mercy over all Thy servants everywhere, even
the right hand of heavenly help, that they may seek Thee with their
whole heart, and obtain what they rightly ask for; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
Praise
O God of hope, the true Light of faithful souls and perfect Brightness
of the Blessed, Who art verily the Light of the world, grant that our
hearts may both render Thee a worthy prayer, and always glorify Thee
with the offering of praises; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Light
Shed forth, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy light into our hearts, that we may
perceive the light of Thy commandments, and walking in Thy way may fall
into no error; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For the Holy Spirit
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, let our souls enjoy this their desire, to
be enkindled by Thy Spirit, that being filled, as lamps, by the Divine
gift, we may shine like blazing lights before the Presence of Thy Son
Christ at His coming; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Thy Will
Into thy hands, O Lord, we commit ourselves this day. Give to each of us
a watchful, humble, and a diligent spirit, that we may seek in all
things to know thy will, and when we know it may perform it perfectly
and gladly, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Forgiveness
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, to receive with Fatherly tenderness Thy
people fleeing from Thine anger to Thyself; that they who dread the
scourge that comes from Thy Majesty may be enabled to rejoice in Thy
forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
To Serve Thee
O God, who art the light of the minds that know thee, the life of the
souls that love thee, the strength of the thoughts that seek thee, help
us so to know thee that we may truly love thee, so to love thee that we
may fully serve thee, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Thy Presence
Into Thy hands, O God, we commend ourselves and all who are dear to us
this day. Let the gift of Thy special Presence be with us even to its
close. Grant us never to lose sight of Thee all the day long, but to
worship and pray to Thee, that at eventide we may again give thanks unto
Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
General Petitions
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works
do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot
give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that
by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our
time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our
Saviour. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Christ’s Servants Everywhere
O God of infinite mercy and boundless majesty, Whom no distance can part
from those for whom Thou carest, be present to Thy servants who
everywhere confide in Thee, and through all the way in which they are to
go be pleased to be their Guide and Companion. May no adversity harm
them, no difficulty oppose them; may all things turn out happily and
prosperously for them; that by the aid of Thy right hand, whatsoever
they have asked for with reasonable desire they may speedily find
brought to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For the Spread of Christianity
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favourably on Thy
whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by the tranquil
operation of Thy perpetual providence, carry out the work of man’s
salvation; let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast
down are being raised up, that those which had grown old are being made
new, and that all things are returning to perfection; through Him from
Whom they took their origin, even Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Amen.
—Gelasian Sacramentary.
For Grace
O our Lord and God, look not on the multitude of our sins, and let not
Thy dignity be turned away on account of the heinousness of our
iniquities; but through Thine unspeakable grace sanctify this sacrifice
of Thine, and grant through it power and capability, so that Thou mayest
forget our many sins, and be merciful when Thou shalt appear at the end
of time, in the man whom Thou hast assumed from among us, and we may
find before Thee grace and mercy, and be rendered worthy to praise Thee
with spiritual assemblies. Amen.
—Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles.
For Enlightenment
Enlighten, O our Lord and God, the movements of our meditations to hear
and understand the sweet listenings to Thy life-giving and divine
commands; and grant unto us through Thy grace and mercy to gather from
them the assurance of love, and hope, and salvation suitable to soul and
body, and we shall sing to Thee everlasting glory without ceasing and
always, O Lord of all. Amen.
—Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles.
INDEX
A
Adoration, 50, 82
Ambrose, 42, 43, 44
Ancient Collect, 78, 79, 83, 84
Ancient Liturgy, 79
Armenian Liturgy, 46
Augustine, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62,
63, 64, 66
B
Barnabas, 27, 28
Basil, 47, 48
Blessings, For, 17, 32, 35, 79, 83
C
Charity, 42
Christ’s Presence, 10, 81
Christ’s Servants, 90
Christian Graces, 38
Chrysostom, 48, 49
Cleansing, Soul, 24, 83
Clement of Alexandria, 28
Clement of Rome, 15, 16, 17, 18
Clementine Liturgy, 16, 19, 20
Collect, 78, 83, 84
Communicants, 79
Communion with God, 64
Confession of Sin, 45
Converts in Mission Fields, 47
Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril, 42
Cross, 10
D
Daily Help, 38
Divine Help, 34, 89
E
Eastern Church, 38, 39, 40
Enlightenment, 92
Entire Love, 51
Evening, 39, 63, 68, 69, 70, 79
F
Faithful, For the, 73
Fast Days, 87
Fifth Century, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90,
91, 92
First Century, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
First Fruits, 70
Forgiveness, 11, 14, 18, 19, 89
Fourth Century, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68,
69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76
Freedom from Sin, 44
Friends, 12, 37
G
Gallican Sacramentary, 28, 37, 38, 45
Gelasian Sacramentary, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91
Gethsemane, 9
Gladness, 20
God’s Will, 12
Goodness, 86
Grace, 57, 62, 83, 91
Growth in Grace, 28
Guidance, 48, 81, 85
H
Heavenly Mindedness, 80
Holy Communion, 33, 75, 76
Holy Sacrament, 19
Holy Spirit, 19, 44, 51, 73, 88
Hope, 14
I
Ignatius, 23
Illumination, 40, 59
Intercession, 22, 78
Invocation, 49
Irenaeus, 29
J
Jesus, 9, 10
Joy, 20
K
Knowledge, 12, 43, 61
L
Leonine Sacramentary, 80, 81, 82, 83
Light, 32, 40, 48, 55, 59, 64, 66, 81, 86, 88
Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles, 91, 92
Liturgy of St. James, 24, 25, 26
Liturgy of St. Mark, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36
Liturgy of the Nestorians, 78
Love, Entire, 51
Love, More, 56
Love, Perfect, 55, 58
Love of God, 85
Love of God’s Law, 80
Luke, 8
M
Magnificat, 8
Martyr, 10, 22, 23
Mary, 8
Mercy, For, 53, 57, 71, 91
Ministers, 39, 82
Morning, 16, 36, 38, 67, 68, 84, 89
N
National Peace, 81
Nerses of Clajes, 44, 45
New Testament, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14
O
Obedience and Love, 58
Obligation, 60
P
Pardon, 36, 40, 43, 44
Patience, 14
Paul, 12, 13
Peace, 15, 33, 63, 78, 81, 82
Peace and Refuge, 54
Perfection, 55, 61, 63
Persecuted, 13
Perseverance, 53
Peter, 14
Petitions, General, 90
Polycarp, 22
Praise, 62, 87
Presence, Thy, 89
Protection, 42, 45, 62, 83, 84
Pure Heart, 19, 26
Purity, 44
R
Refreshment, For, 49, 60, 85
Refuge and Peace, 54
Relatives, 12, 37
Rest in Thee, 66
Right Blessings, 47
Right Living, 80
Rulers, 15, 16
S
Sabbath, 63, 66, 74
Salvation, 43
Sanctify Us, 26
Second Century Prayers, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28
Servants, Christ’s, 90
Simeon, 8
Sorrowing, 84
Soul Cleansing, 24
Spiritual Blessings, 45
Spiritual Desires, 13
Spread of Christianity, 91
Steadfastness, 52
Stephen, 10
Stewardship, 27, 28
Syrian Clementine Liturgy, 16
T
Table Grace, 16, 17, 35, 36, 38, 39, 47, 62, 68, 70, 78, 79, 80,
81, 87, 88, 89
Thanks for Mercies, 71
Thanksgiving, 36, 67, 79
Third Century, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40
Thy Will, 88
To Serve Thee, 89
To Teacher, 28
To Witness, 25
True Joys, 86
Trust, 43
Two or Three, 46, 48
V
Voyage, Safe, 57
W
Wisdom, 10
Witness, 25
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