A Treasury of Prayers from varying traditions...
General
Lord Jesus Christ, by your Holy Spirit be present with us now. Amen
· General
Be present, risen Lord Jesus as you were with your disciples, and make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread: may we listen to your word and dwell evermore with you. Amen
· For the Ministry of Healing
0 Lord and Master Jesus Christ,
Word of the everlasting Father,
you have borne our griefs
and carried the burdens of our human frailty;
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
renew in your people the gifts of healing
and send out your disciples again
to preach the gospel of your kingdom,
to heal the sick,
and to relieve the sufferings of your children;
to the praise and glory of your holy name. Amen.
Liturgy of St Mark, 5th century
· Seeking the Lord
0 gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you,
wisdom to perceive you and patience to wait for you.
Grant us, 0 God, a mind to meditate on you;
eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word;
a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you;
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Benedict, 480‑543
· The Salvation of the Whole World
0 God of unchangeable power and eternal light,
look favourably on your whole church,
that wonderful and sacred mystery;
and by the peaceful operation of your providence,
carry out the work of our salvation.
And let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through him from whom they took their origin; even through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th century
· For the Graces of the Holy Spirit
0 merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of the Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Teach us to love those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who abuse us, that we may be the children of our Father: who makes the sun shine on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and 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 regard the pleasures of this world, and thirst only after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Anslem, 1033‑1109
· Jesus, Redeemer and Brother
Praise be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have won for me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
0 most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
St Richard of Chichester, 1197‑1253
· For Enlightenment of the Mind
Enlighten us, 0 good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light, and cast out all darkness from the dwelling of our hearts. Grant us, 0 Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to praise that which can bear with praise, to hate what in your sight IS unworthy, to prize what to you is precious, and above all, to search out and do your holy will. Amen.
Thomas a Kempis, 1380‑1471
· The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Lord Jesus Christ, you have said that you are the Way, the Truth and the Life: do not let us at any time stray from you, for you are our Way; or ever distrust your promises, for you are our Truth; or ever rest in anything other than you, for you are our Life.
Lord Jesus, you have taught us what to believe, what to do, what to hope for, and in whom to take our rest. Amen.
Erasmus, 1466‑1536
· The Table
Lord of simplicity, cement the legs of your table into the rock floor of my little house of faith; then, should the bailiffs of contemporary doubt arrive at my door with their bullying ways to dispossess me of my religious furniture and cushioned comforts, there will remain that one altar of love, where I may place a roll of bread and cup of wine, and I will know that all is well, and all manner of things will be well.
· Returning to Perfection
God of unchanging power and eternal light, look generously at your whole church, that wonderful and sacred mystery, and carry out the work of our salvation. Let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made young, and all things are returning to perfection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gelasian Sacramentary (c AD 495)
· An Odd Mob
Loving God, we are an odd mob.
We thank you for the widely different types of people and expressions of faith which constitute the membership of your church in this century.
We give thanks for those who appear born to express faith through rigid creeds and behaviour.
We give thanks for others who seem destined to follow Christ among innumerable questions and doubts.
We give thanks for members whose faith appears to be a profound childlike simplicity, unhurried and unworried.
We give thanks for those who seem unable to find one satisfying word with which to describe you, yet whose faith is constantly renewed by a wordless awe in the presence of unnameable Love.
Lover of diversity, God of all souls, continue to give us the grace to treasure each other with all our oddness and to use these differences as we minister to the diversity of people who share this twenty‑first century with us.
To your praise and glory. Amen.
· Prayer After Receiving Holy Communion
Grant, 0 Lord Jesus, that the ears which have heard the voice of your songs may be closed to the voice of dispute; that the eyes which have seen your great love may also behold your blessed hope; that the tongues which have sung your praise may speak the truth in love; that the feet which have walked in your courts may walk in the region of light; and that the bodies which have received your living body may be restored in newness of life. Glory to you for your inexpressible gift. Amen.
Liturgy of Malabar, 5th century
Gracious God, in your loving providence, please journey with me in my need.
When I am afraid, may I find courage.
When afflicted, may I find patience.
When dejected, may I find hope,
and, when alone, be ever present with me with your love.
Amen
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
Lord, we come before you, not alone,
but in the company of each other.
We share our happiness with each
other, and it becomes greater.
We share our troubles with each other,
and they become smaller.
We share one another's gifts and burdens,
And their weight becomes possible to bear.
May we never be too mean to give,
Nor to proud to receive.
For in giving and receiving,
we learn to love and be loved.
We encounter the meaning of life,
The mystery of existence.
And discover you.
God is with me now,
Closer than breathing,
And nearer than hands and feet.
God has created me out of love:
I come from God,
I belong with God,
I go to God,
God knows me
God loves me....
Lord Jesus Christ, by your Holy Spirit be present with us now. Amen
· General
Be present, risen Lord Jesus as you were with your disciples, and make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread: may we listen to your word and dwell evermore with you. Amen
· For the Ministry of Healing
0 Lord and Master Jesus Christ,
Word of the everlasting Father,
you have borne our griefs
and carried the burdens of our human frailty;
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
renew in your people the gifts of healing
and send out your disciples again
to preach the gospel of your kingdom,
to heal the sick,
and to relieve the sufferings of your children;
to the praise and glory of your holy name. Amen.
Liturgy of St Mark, 5th century
· Seeking the Lord
0 gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you,
wisdom to perceive you and patience to wait for you.
Grant us, 0 God, a mind to meditate on you;
eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word;
a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you;
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Benedict, 480‑543
· The Salvation of the Whole World
0 God of unchangeable power and eternal light,
look favourably on your whole church,
that wonderful and sacred mystery;
and by the peaceful operation of your providence,
carry out the work of our salvation.
And let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through him from whom they took their origin; even through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th century
· For the Graces of the Holy Spirit
0 merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of the Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Teach us to love those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who abuse us, that we may be the children of our Father: who makes the sun shine on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and 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 regard the pleasures of this world, and thirst only after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Anslem, 1033‑1109
· Jesus, Redeemer and Brother
Praise be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have won for me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
0 most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
St Richard of Chichester, 1197‑1253
· For Enlightenment of the Mind
Enlighten us, 0 good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light, and cast out all darkness from the dwelling of our hearts. Grant us, 0 Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to praise that which can bear with praise, to hate what in your sight IS unworthy, to prize what to you is precious, and above all, to search out and do your holy will. Amen.
Thomas a Kempis, 1380‑1471
· The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Lord Jesus Christ, you have said that you are the Way, the Truth and the Life: do not let us at any time stray from you, for you are our Way; or ever distrust your promises, for you are our Truth; or ever rest in anything other than you, for you are our Life.
Lord Jesus, you have taught us what to believe, what to do, what to hope for, and in whom to take our rest. Amen.
Erasmus, 1466‑1536
· The Table
Lord of simplicity, cement the legs of your table into the rock floor of my little house of faith; then, should the bailiffs of contemporary doubt arrive at my door with their bullying ways to dispossess me of my religious furniture and cushioned comforts, there will remain that one altar of love, where I may place a roll of bread and cup of wine, and I will know that all is well, and all manner of things will be well.
· Returning to Perfection
God of unchanging power and eternal light, look generously at your whole church, that wonderful and sacred mystery, and carry out the work of our salvation. Let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made young, and all things are returning to perfection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gelasian Sacramentary (c AD 495)
· An Odd Mob
Loving God, we are an odd mob.
We thank you for the widely different types of people and expressions of faith which constitute the membership of your church in this century.
We give thanks for those who appear born to express faith through rigid creeds and behaviour.
We give thanks for others who seem destined to follow Christ among innumerable questions and doubts.
We give thanks for members whose faith appears to be a profound childlike simplicity, unhurried and unworried.
We give thanks for those who seem unable to find one satisfying word with which to describe you, yet whose faith is constantly renewed by a wordless awe in the presence of unnameable Love.
Lover of diversity, God of all souls, continue to give us the grace to treasure each other with all our oddness and to use these differences as we minister to the diversity of people who share this twenty‑first century with us.
To your praise and glory. Amen.
· Prayer After Receiving Holy Communion
Grant, 0 Lord Jesus, that the ears which have heard the voice of your songs may be closed to the voice of dispute; that the eyes which have seen your great love may also behold your blessed hope; that the tongues which have sung your praise may speak the truth in love; that the feet which have walked in your courts may walk in the region of light; and that the bodies which have received your living body may be restored in newness of life. Glory to you for your inexpressible gift. Amen.
Liturgy of Malabar, 5th century
- Prayer for those under pressure
Gracious God, in your loving providence, please journey with me in my need.
When I am afraid, may I find courage.
When afflicted, may I find patience.
When dejected, may I find hope,
and, when alone, be ever present with me with your love.
Amen
- Prayer for the Rhythm of Community
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
Lord, we come before you, not alone,
but in the company of each other.
We share our happiness with each
other, and it becomes greater.
We share our troubles with each other,
and they become smaller.
We share one another's gifts and burdens,
And their weight becomes possible to bear.
May we never be too mean to give,
Nor to proud to receive.
For in giving and receiving,
we learn to love and be loved.
We encounter the meaning of life,
The mystery of existence.
And discover you.
- Centring Prayer
God is with me now,
Closer than breathing,
And nearer than hands and feet.
God has created me out of love:
I come from God,
I belong with God,
I go to God,
God knows me
God loves me....
