The Prayer Manual

For Private Devotions or for Public Use on Divers Occasions

Compiled From All Sources Ancient, Medieval, And Modern

by Frederick B. Macnutt

A. R. Mowbray, 1957

[Spelling slightly modernized.]

Table Of Contents

Foreword By The Most Rev. And Right Hon. G. F. Fisher, D.D., Archbishop Of Canterbury

Editorial Preface By Mrs. Macnutt

Introduction By The Rev. Canon R. W. D. Lee, Vicar Of Horsham

Acknowledgements (moved to end)

Part I.  Morning And Evening Prayers For A Month

            Five Sundays: 1–42.       Thirty-one Weekdays: 43–291.

Part II.  Prayers For Public (Or Private) Use On Divers Occasions

1.   Opening And Closing Prayers: 292–316.

2.   General Confession

      Confession: 317–333.     Penitence: 334–337.      Repentance: 338–340.

      Pardon and Forgiveness: 341–349.

3.   The Christian Year

      Advent: 350–362.          Christmas: 363–374.      New Year: 375–385.     The Epiphany: 386–391.

      Lent: 392–398.  Holy Week: 399–401.    Good Friday: 402–411.   Easter Even: 412–415.

      Easter: 416–430.           Ascensiontide: 431–442.            Whitsunday: 443–447.    Trinity: 448.

      The Transfiguration: 449–453.    All Saints and All Souls: 454–465.

      Rogation and Harvest Thanksgiving: 466–479.

4.   The Holy Communion

      Preparation: 480–494.    Before Reception: 495–506.       After Reception: 507–514

5. Other Sacraments

      Baptism: 515–517.         Confirmation: 518–519.

      Ministry of Healing: 520–523.     Ordination:524–527.

6. The Work Of The Church

      The Church of England: 528–542.           Unity: 543–552. Persecution: 553–555.

      Archbishops and Bishops: 556–563.        The Diocese: 564–569.  The Clergy: 570–577.

      Increase of the Ministry: 578.     Vacancies: 579.

      Retreats: 580–581.        Lay Readers: 582.         Deaconesses: 583–584.

      Church Building and Extension: 585–589.            Choir and Music: 590–595.

      The Parish and Parochial Church Council: 596–598.        Church Workers: 599–605.

      Bellringers: 606–607.     Finance: 608–609.

7. Evangelism

      The Kingdom of God: 610–614.

      Evangelism: 615–625.    Missions: 626–648.        Missionaries: 649–650.

8. Wise Government And Peace

      The Royal Family: 651–655.       The Commonwealth and the Forces: 656–661.

      The Nation: 662–667.    Parliament: 668–669.     Statesmen and Leaders: 670–673.

      Elections: 674.   Freedom: 675–677.        Peace: 678–689.            Control of Atomic Power: 690.

      In Times of Crisis: 691–694.       National Unity: 695–696.            Civic Authorities: 697–699.

      Municipal Elections: 700.            Administration of Justice: 701–703.

9. The Economic Order

      Towards a New Order: 704–106.           Social Justice: 707–709.

      In Times of Unrest: 710–711.     Industry, Trade, and Commerce: 712–714.

      Employers and Employed: 715.   The Unemployed: 716–717.

      The Homeless and Needy: 718–719.       The Workers. 720–723. Citizenship: 724–726.

10. The Family

      Families and Homes: 727–734.   Husbands and Wives: 735–736.  Women: 737–738.

      Parents and Children: 739–746.  Relatives and Friends: 747–750.

      Absence: 751–755.        Travelers: 756–759.

11. Youth And Education

      Teachers and Children: 760–762.            Students: 763.    Colleges and Schools: 764–768.

      Youth: 769–770.            Founders and Benefactors: 771–772.

      Sunday School Teachers:773–774.          Scientific Study: 775–776.

12. Sin And Suffering

      In Temptation: 777–778.            Sinners: 779–782.         The World of Sufferers: 783–787.

      The Sick: 788–791.        The Dying: 792–793.     Those in Trouble: 794–796.

      In Doubt and Despondency: 797–798.     The Blind, Deaf, and Dumb:799–801.

      Old Age: 802–803.        Endurance and Service:804–805.            Burdens: 806–807.

      Hospitals and Medical Services: 808–810.

13. The Departed

      Death: 811–813.            The Living and the Departed: 814–815.   The Departed: 816–827.

      Mourners: 828–830.

Notes On The Prayers.

Index Of Principal Authors (omitted for web)

Subject Index (omitted for web)

Foreword, By His Grace The Archbishop Of Canterbury

      I am compelled to write this foreword without having had any chance of studying this Prayer Manual.  Perhaps it is as well, as study of it might distract me from the two relevant things which I wish to say.

      In the first place, to all who knew him the fact that Canon Macnutt compiled this book of prayers is commendation enough in itself.  It was in the First World War that he first began to collect prayers for public and private use which proved singularly helpful to himself and others.  From then onwards he drew all his studies and his sensitive spiritual insight this way.  The perfection of his collection became his absorbing interest after his retirement from his canonry in Canterbury Cathedral: I wish his collection could have been printed in full.  I am sure that the fruits of his long and sanctified labours as here presented will inspire as they will reflect the true spirit of approach to God in prayer, and will teach how “to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men”.

      And, secondly, there is great spiritual value in having resort in our prayers to those which have been composed by saintly men in the past.  We must, indeed, never cease to put the emotions and petitions of our hearts before God in our own words also.  Nothing can ever replace the outpouring of our offering of prayer in such simple ways and words as come most easily to us.  It is a grave loss to think that God must always be approached in elevated language or in carefully phrased and thought out periods.  We must pray for ourselves, and generally we do so best in words that are simple, sincere, and short.  And yet there is a very necessary place for such prayers as this manual contains.  In public prayer, the language should be thoughtful, dignified, and uplifting.  And by the use in private of the chosen prayers of good men, we are helped to fulfill our duty of intercession for all sorts and conditions of men; we find utterance when we are tongue-tied; and we catch from their spirit and from their phrases spiritual insights which become part of our own spiritual possession and so enrich us unto God.

      Into this manual the author has put a life’s experience of “growing up into Christ”.  I am sure many will find, in its careful use, a portion of his spirit coming to aid them in their spiritual growth and expression.

Geoffrey Cantuar:

Lambeth Palace October, 1951

Editorial Preface

      It was in 1915 that my husband, while serving as a Chaplain to the Forces, made his first collection of prayers in a small notebook.  This inspired him to draw upon the literature of prayer for private devotions and for public use.  Year by year his store was enlarged.  He always had it in mind to publish a comprehensive volume of prayers for use in church “especially after the Third Collect”, as well as for guidance in meditation and stimulation to private prayer.

      With this end in view, on his retirement in 1945 he spent much of his time in research, translation, and correspondence.  A month before his life on earth was over he had collected some 1,400 prayers and completed his work, with thanksgiving to God.  He realized that it might be necessary to reduce the number when the time came for publication.  After careful thought a selection of the prayers, together with some rearrangement of their form, has now been made.  I am deeply grateful to Canon R. W. D. Lee, Vicar of Horsham, for the unsparing help he has given me in the work of rearrangement, indexing, and correction of proofs.  He has willingly shouldered the heavier burden in this task.

      The Prayer Manual is in succession to my husband’s War Primer, which he hastily put together in 1939, a few weeks after hostilities began, at the suggestion of Archbishop Lang.  The wide welcome given to The War Primer encourages me to hope that his own great wish will be fulfilled in offering The Prayer Manual to the service of the Church.

      And so to the dedication he gave to this book I now add my own to his memory whose passing into the nearer presence of Christ seems to me, in the words of Dr. J. W. Suter, “to shorten the distance all prayer must cover”.

E. M. Macnutt

Horsham, August, 1951

DILECTISSIMAE MEAE

E. M. M.

Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commit these prayers of Thy servants, which we offer before Thee in time of crisis when Thy judgements are seen in the earth.  Incline Thine ear to our thanksgivings, accept our confessions, and grant our petitions according to Thy gracious will, Who hast taught us to pray, and ever livest to intercede for us in heaven, world without end.

Prayer is speaking to God; so the first necessity is that you should be directing your minds towards God.  That is the best part and the most important part of prayer anyhow, and without it all the rest is useless. . . . Our Lord says that when you come into the presence of God you should forget all about yourself and your needs, even your sins; you should be so filled with the thought of God that what you want above all things is that God’s Name may be hallowed – reverenced – throughout the world.  You are to ask for that first, because you ought to want it most.  And next, that He may be effectively King of the world He has made, so that all men obey His law; and then that His whole purpose of love shall be carried out unspoiled by the selfishness of men.

William Temple

From “Christian Faith and Life”

It is highly necessary, to provide against the inconstancy of our hearts, by having at hand such forms of prayer as may best suit us when our hearts are in their best state, and also be most likely to raise and stir them up, when they are sunk into dullness.  For as words have a power of affecting our hearts on all occasions, as the same thing differently expressed has different effects upon our minds; so it is reasonable that we should make this advantage of language, and provide ourselves with such forms of expressions, as are most likely to move and enliven our souls, and fill them with sentiments suitable to them.

William Law

From “A Serious Call”

Introduction

      Our day-to-day experiences of life bring with them  from time to time matter for depression or a wandering mind.  Not infrequently we find that praying is impossibly hard and unfruitful.  The right atmosphere for prayer is not always easy to create in one’s own room alone.  There is an absence of that “togetherness” which is so helpful “in the great congregation.”  Indeed, although a man may pretend for practical purposes that he is the centre of his own world, he is certainly not the centre of the real one.  In building up a self-centred existence he is only constructing a world of fictions.

      It is here that the prayers of the Divine Society throughout the ages can help us to realize our true part and function in the real world, and to feel that our feet are indeed set in a large room.  The common prayers of the Divine Society may seem at first too general and too remote for our private use.  During church services our minds may not have time to appreciate their content as we listen to their recital.  Yet when used in our private prayer-time, which gives time to reflect, we can ponder them clause by clause and phrase by phrase.  Thus in “slow motion” – and that is the only way to pray – the words will speak and we shall hear through them what the Lord will say concerning us.

      The first section of this manual has been arranged with this view in the hope and prayer that it will assist day by day those who would lift up their hearts to God as members of Christ – to speak and to listen.

      The remainder of the book is intended to help clergy and others, whether in the Daily Offices or otherwise, to find appropriate words of approach, petition, or praise, by which they can express aloud the thoughts of all on the infinite variety of facets of our common life.

      It may well be that many prayers appearing in the latter section will be right for use in private daily prayer too; and conversely that the prayers allotted to private use will be suitable for united and public prayer.  For example, preachers may find some appropriate for utterance at the end of the sermon to lead from exhortation up to aspiration.

      In the Notes and Index following the Prayers, the sources and authorship of nearly all have been stated.  In a few cases their origin has not been traced.  The Notes should be read in conjunction with the attributions beneath the prayers.  The word “adapted” has been used in a number of cases, where in translation or paraphrase an attempt has been made to improve the prayer for purpose of use.  In other instances new translations have been made by the compiler where the current form seems hardly to provide in English a worthy equivalent of a noble original, or where the old translation employed archaic language which upon our lips today would be unnatural and out of date.

      I should like to add that the Notes which appear in this volume are a very abbreviated form of the Notes left in manuscript by Canon Macnutt.

R. W. D. Lee

The Vicarage, Horsham, August, 1951

Part  1 – Morning And Evening Prayers For A Month

1st Sunday Morning

1—The Breastplate Of St. Patrick

      I arise today with the power of God to guide me, the might of God to uphold me, the wisdom of God to teach me, the eye of God to watch over me, the ear of God to hear me, the word of God to give me speech, the hand of God to protect me, the way of God to prevent me, the shield of God to shelter me, the host of God to defend me; against the snares of devils, against the temptations of vices, against the lusts of nature, against every man who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, with few or with many.     St. Patrick

2—Dedication

      My Lord, I offer myself as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  Thou hast died for me, and I in turn make myself over to Thee.  I am not my own: Thou hast bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase.  My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake and not for Thine.  I put away reputation and honour, and influence and power, for my praise and strength shall be in Thee.  Enable me to carry out what I profess.     Cardinal Newman

3—Brotherly love

      O Merciful Father, Whose will it is that we should love one another: give grace to us Thy children, that we may look each to the good of others in word and deed; and hallow all our friendships by the blessing of Thy Spirit, for His sake Who loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

4—Strength And Peace

      O God, our loving Father, we pray Thee to keep, us ever close to Thyself, that we may find in Thy love our strength and our peace.     William Temple

1st Sunday Evening

5—The Breastplate Of St. Patrick

      Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me; Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ at my right, Christ at my left; Christ in my lying down, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising up; Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.  May Thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.     St. Patrick

6—Humility

      O God, Who resistest the proud, and givest grace unto the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, of which Thine only-begotten Son Himself gave us the perfect example; that we may never offend Thee by our pride, and be rejected for our self-assertion; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Leonine Sacramentary

7—At All Times

      Grant us, Lord, to know in weakness the strength of Thy Incarnation: in pain the triumph of Thy Passion: in poverty the riches of Thy Godhead: in reproach the satisfaction of Thy sympathy: in loneliness the comfort of Thy continual presence: in difficulty the efficacy of Thy intercession: in perplexity the guidance of Thy wisdom; and by Thy glorious death and resurrection bring us at last to the joy of seeing Thee face to face.     Unknown

8—Unto Him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by His Blood; and He made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever.     Revelation 1:5–6

9—The everlasting Father bless us with His blessing everlasting.

2nd Sunday Morning

10—Before Adoration And Thanksgiving

      O Good Lord Jesus Christ, I pray Thee to open my mouth, that therewith I may praise Thee, and give unto Thee thanks for all Thy goodness towards me: and I beseech Thee to keep it from all vain speech, from all leasings, and from all manner offences that thereby might come.     The Primer, 1557

11—Faith, Hope, And Love

      Christ, our Saviour, come Thou to dwell within us, that we may go forth with the light of Thy hope in our eyes, and Thy faith and love in our hearts.     Gregorian Sacramentary

12—Inward Peace

      Set free, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants from restlessness and anxiety: give us the peace and power which flow from Thee; and keep us in perplexity and distress, in griefs and grievances, from fear or faithlessness; that so, upheld by Thy power and stayed upon the rock of Thy faithfulness, through storm and stress we may abide in Thee.

13—Boldness

      Grant us, O Lord, such boldness for Thee, that we may set our face as a flint and not be ashamed; but contending valiantly for the truth out of weakness we may be made strong and conquer in the might; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Wells Office Book

14—Courage, Wisdom, Power

      O God, grant that looking upon the face of the Lord, as into a glass, we may be changed into His likeness, from glory to glory.  Take out of us all pride and vanity, boasting and forwardness; and give us the true courage which shows itself by gentleness; the true wisdom which shows itself by simplicity; and the true power which shows itself by modesty.     Charles Kingsley

2nd Sunday Evening

15—Thanksgiving

      All praise, all glory be to Thee, my Lord and my God, for hearing my prayers in the time of my trouble.  Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live will I praise the Lord; as long as I have my being, I will sing praises unto my God.  I called upon the Lord in my trouble, and the Lord heard me at large; therefore will I praise Him.  Thou art my God, and I will thank Thee; Thou art the Lord, and I will praise Thee.  Praised be the Lord, Who bath not cast out my prayer, nor turned His mercy from me.  O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and His mercy endureth for ever.  I will not only praise Thee in secret, O Lord, but I will tell abroad what Thou hast done for my soul.  Accept, O my God, this my sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and since the longer I live, the more I experience Thy most adorable boundless goodness, the more devoutly may I daily praise Thee, the more fervently may I daily love Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Beloved.     Thomas Ken

16—Inward Peace

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst say that in Thee we  may have peace, and hast bidden us to be of good cheer, since Thou hast overcome the world: give us ears to hear and faith to receive Thy Word; that in all the tensions and confusion of this present time, with mind serene and steadfast purpose, we may continue to abide in Thee, Who livest and wast dead and art alive for evermore.     Frederick B. Macnutt

17—Worship

      Into Him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore.     St. Jude 24–25

3rd Sunday Morning

18—Morning

      Into Thy hands, O heavenly Father, I commit myself, body and soul.  Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the evil one may have no power over me.  Help and bless Thy Church; hold Thy protecting hand over this land and people; have pity upon those who are in distress and need.  O God, let the light of Thy truth shine upon us, and bring us at last to Thy heavenly Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Luther

19—Dedication

      O God, Who hast revealed Thyself to be our King and Saviour: grant us grace to yield ourselves to Thine obedience; that we may be built upon the sure foundation of Thy Christ, and grow up before Thee into a living temple, where righteousness, mercy, and love abound and flourish, and Thy people offer unto Thee a holy worship; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

20—Strength And Inspiration

      Inspire and strengthen us, O Lord God, by Thy Holy  Spirit, to seek Thy will and uphold Thine honour in all things; in the purity and joy of our homes, in the trust and fellowship of our common life, in daily service of the good; after the pattern and in the power of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ.     E. Milner-White

21—Love of God

      My God, my Love: Thou art all mine, and I am all Thine.  Enlarge me in love; that with the inner mouth of my heart I may taste how sweet it is to love.  Let me love Thee more than myself, and myself only for Thee, and in Thee all that love Thee truly: as the law of love commandeth shining forth from Thee.     Thomas à Kempis

3rd Sunday Evening

22—Invocation

      O God the Holy Ghost, Who hast called us to Thy service, as Thou hast begun Thy work, so also continue and finish it in us. Save us from our besetting sins, from pride, and bitterness, and faintness of heart, from sloth and self-deceit, and the curse of an unsubdued will; and grant us to know and to follow, to do and to suffer Thy will; Who with the Father and the Son livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever.     R. W. Church

23—Faith

      O Holy Jesus, meek Lamb of God; Bread that came down from heaven; light and life of all holy souls: help me to a true and living faith in Thee.  O do Thou open Thyself within me with all Thy holy nature, spirit, tempers, and inclinations, that I may be born again of Thee, in Thee a new creature, quickened and revived, led and governed by Thy Holy Spirit.     William Law

24—Brotherly Love

      O God of love, Who through Thy Son hast given us a new commandment that we should love one another, even as Thou didst love us, the unworthy and the wandering, and gayest Him up for our redemption: we pray Thee, Lord, to give us Thy servants, in all time of our life on earth, a mind forgetful of past ill-will, and a single heart to love our brethren; for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.     From the Coptic

25—Aspiration

      I Beseech Thee, Good Jesus, that as Thou hast I graciously granted to me here on earth sweetly to partake of the words of Thy wisdom and knowledge, so Thou wilt also vouchsafe that I may some time come to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom, and always appear before Thy face; Who livest and reignest, world without end.     The Venerable Bede

4th Sunday Morning

26—Invocation

      Most great and glorious Lord God, accept my imperfect repentance, and send Thy Spirit of adoption into my heart, that I may again be owned by Thee, call Thee Father, and share in the blessings of Thy children.     John Wesley

27—Dedication

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast created and redeemed me, and hast brought me unto that which now I am, Thou knowest what Thou wouldst do with me; do with me according to Thy will; for Thy tender mercy’s sake.     King Henry VI

28—Adoration

      O God, Who requirest that we should seek Thee and makest us to find Thee, and openest to us when we knock: O God, from Whom to be averted is to fall, and to Whom to be turned is to rise; in Whom to abide is to be established: O God, Whom to know is to live, Whom to serve is to reign; I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I adore Thee, my God.      St. Augustine

29—Work And Refreshment

      O God, the strength of them that labour and the rest of the weary: grant that when we are strained and harassed by our work we may be renewed and recreated by Thy Spirit, to serve Thee gladly in health and vigour of body and mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

30—Inward Peace

      O God, the consolation of them that be sorrowful, and  the salvation of all who put their trust in Thee: grant unto us in this dying life the peace for which we humbly pray, that we may hereafter attain unto Thy presence and enter into Thine unending joy; through our Lord Jesus Christ.

4th Sunday Evening

31—Freedom From Self

      O God, set our heap at liberty from the service of  ourselves, and let it be our meat and drink to do Thy will.

32—Help And Correction

      Merciful God, to Thee we commend ourselves and all those who need Thy help and correction.  Where there is hatred, give love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy; where there is darkness, light.  Grant that we may not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for in giving we receive, in pardoning we are pardoned, and dying we are born into eternal life.     St. Francis

33—The Study Of Religion

      Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Whose help labour is useless, without Whose light search is vain: invigorate my studies, and direct my inquiries, that I may by due diligence and right discernment, establish myself and others in Thy holy Faith.  Take not, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit from me; let not evil thoughts have dominion in my mind.  Let me not linger in ignorance, but enlighten and support me; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.      Dr. Johnson

34—Thanksgiving

      Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and I the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou rulest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name.     1 Chronicles 29:11–13

5th Sunday Morning

35—Invocation

      O Holy Spirit the Comforter, Who art everywhere  present and finest all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life: descend and remain upon me, most blessed One, and cleanse me from all that is impure within.     S. Baring-Gould

36—Faith, Hope, And Love

      My God, I believe in Thee: increase my faith.  I hope in Thee: strengthen my hope.  I love Thee, and desire to love Thee more and more, and above all things, and all others for Thee: quicken my love and make me wholly Thine.     Unknown

37—Growth In Knowledge

      O Lord, Whom to know is to live, I beseech Thee to increase in me the knowledge of Thy truth.  In the truth which I know, establish me; whatsoever things I ought to know, teach me; in truths wherein I waver, confirm me; in those things wherein I am deceived, correct me; in things hard to understand, guide me; and from untruths, false and noisome, deliver me.  Send out Thy light and Thy truth, and let them lead me, till I know as I am known.

38—Enlightenment

      O God, Who clothest Thyself with light as with a garment, and makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to praise Thee: mercifully grant that, as by Thy created light we perceive the wonders of Thy universe, so by the uncreated light of Thy Spirit we may discern the adorable majesty of Thy being; and that, our hearts and minds being illumined by His presence, we may walk in Thy paths without stumbling, until at last all shadows flee away, and in Thy perfect light we see light; Who with the Son and the Holy Spirit art God for everlasting.     W. R. Matthews

5th Sunday Evening

39—Before Prayer

      O Almighty God, from Whom every good prayer cometh, and Who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication: deliver us, when we draw nigh to Thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     William Bright

40—Evening

      Into Thy hands, O Lord and Father, we commend our I souls and our bodies, our parents and homes, friends and servants, neighbours and kindred, our benefactors and brethren departed, all Thy people faithfully believing, and all who need Thy pity and protection.  Enlighten us with Thy holy grace, and suffer us never to be separated from Thee, Who art one God in Trinity, God everlasting.     St. Edmund Rich

41—Adoration

      O Thou, in Whom all things live, Who commandest us to seek Thee and art ready to be found: to know Thee is life, to serve Thee is freedom, to praise Thee is our souls’ joy.  We bless Thee and adore Thee, we worship Thee and glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.  Maker and preserver of all things visible and invisible, keep, we beseech Thee, the work of Thine own hands, now and at all times; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     St. Augustine

42—Guidance In Study

      We beseech Thee, O God, the God of truth, that what we know not of things we ought to know Thou wilt teach us; that what we know of truth Thou wilt keep us therein; that what we are mistaken in, as men must be, Thou wilt correct; that at whatsoever truths we stumble Thou wilt yet establish us; and from all things that are false, and from all knowledge that would be hurtful, do Thou evermore deliver us.     After St. Fulgentius

1st Week-Day Morning

43—At Daybreak

      Lord Jesu Christ, very Sun of the world, ever arising and never going down; Who by Thine appearing givest health and gladness, creating, preserving, and nourishing all things in heaven and in earth; I pray Thee graciously to enlighten my spirit, that the night of sin and the mists of error may be driven away by Thine inward shining; so that I may go all my life long without stumbling, and walk as in the daytime, pure and undefiled by the works of darkness; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest for ever.     Erasmus

44—Guidance

      O God, by Whom the meek are guided in judgement, and light riseth up in darkness for the Godly: grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what Thou wouldest have us to do; that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in Thy light we may see light and in Thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     William Bright

45—Brotherly Love

      Enable us, O Lord, to love Thee with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and our neighbours as ourselves; that so the grace of Thy love may dwell in us for ever.  Grant that all envy, jealousy, and mistrust may die in us, and that suspicion and harsh judgements may be put away from us, while we live in continual fellowship with Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     W. A. Knight

46—Dedication

      Lord, grant us grace, to make Thy goodness our trust: shutting our hearts against pride, our mouths against evil words, our ears against foul knowledge, and using Thy gifts to the promotion of Thy glory and of man’s salvation; for His blessed sake, in Whom we have all and are full and abound, Jesus Christ.     Christina Rossetti

1st Week-Day Evening

47—Bible-Reading

      GRANT, O Lord, that we may be diligent to read Thy Word, wherein is wisdom, wherein is the royal law, wherein are the lively oracles of God; and that reading it, we may daily increase in the knowledge of Thyself, and love and serve Thee with more perfect heart.     Unknown

48—Invocation

      God the Father bless me, Christ guard me, the Holy Spirit enlighten me, all the days of my life!  The Lord be the defender and guardian of my soul and my body, now and ever, and world without end!  Amen.  The right hand of the Lord preserve me always to old age!  The grace of Christ perpetually defend me from the enemy!  Direct, Lord, my heart into the way of peace.  Lord God, haste Thee to deliver me, make haste to help me, O Lord.     The Book of Cerne

49—Inward Peace

      O God of peace, Who hast taught us that in returning and in rest we shall be saved, and in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of Thy Spirit lift us, we pray Thee, to Thy presence, where we may be still and know that Thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     J. W. Suter

50—Evening Thanksgiving     φως ιλαρον αγίας δόξης

      O Jesu Christ, Thou joyous light of the holy glory of the Father, deathless, celestial, hallowed, blest: as we come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we hymn Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.  Worthy art Thou at all times to be hymned with hallowed voices, Son of God, Who givest life; therefore praise from the whole world is Thine.     Greek Vesper Hymn

2nd Week-Day Morning

51—Dedication

      Send out Thy light and Thy truth, that I may live near to Thee, my God.  Let me feel Thy love, that I may be – as it were – already in heaven, that I may do all my work as the angels do theirs; and let me be ready for every work, be ready to go out or go in, to stay or depart, just as Thou shalt appoint.  Lord, let me have no will of my own, or consider my true happiness as depending in the smallest degree on anything that can befall me outwardly, but as consisting altogether in conformity to Thy will.     Henry Martyn

52—Invocation

      O God the Holy Ghost, most loving Comforter of the  fainthearted, I beseech Thee ever to turn that which is evil in me into good and that which is good into that which is better; turn my mourning into joy, my wandering feet into the right path, my ignorance into knowledge of Thy truth, my lukewarmness into zeal, my fear into love, all my material good into a spiritual gift, all my earthly desires into heavenly, all that is transient into that which lasts for ever, everything human into that which is divine, everything created and finite into that sovereign and immeasurable good, which Thou Thyself art, O my God and my Saviour.     Thomas à Kempis

53—Morning: Commendation

      Be, Lord, within me to strengthen me, without me to preserve, over me to shelter, beneath me to support, before me to direct, behind me to bring back, round about me to fortify.     Lancelot Andrewes

54—Almighty and merciful God, Father, Son, and  Holy Spirit, vouchsafe to bless, aid, and bring us at last to the life eternal.     Sarum Breviary

2nd Week-Day Evening

55—Bible-Reading

      O God, heavenly Father, from Whom cometh every good and perfect gift, by Whose inspiration all Scripture is given, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: enable me to take Thy Word as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path; open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law; and make me a doer as well as a hearer of Thy Word; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

56—Temporal And Eternal

      Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast set eternity in our hearts, and awakened within us desires which the world cannot satisfy: lift our eyes, we pray Thee, above the narrow horizons of this present world, that we may behold the things eternal in the heavens, wherein is laid up for us an inheritance that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     G. W. Briggs

57—Guidance

      Lord God Almighty, open my heart and enlighten by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may seek what is well-pleasing to Thy will; direct my thoughts and affections to think and to do such things as may make me worthy to attain to Thine unending joys in heaven; and so order my doings after Thy commandments that I may be ever diligent to fulfill them, and be found meet to be of Thee everlastingly rewarded.     The Venerable Bede

58—Gloria

      Almighty God, Whose glory the heavens are telling, the earth Thy power, and the sea Thy might, and Whose greatness all Thy creatures that think and feel everywhere proclaim: to Thee belong all glory, honour, might, greatness, and splendour, now and for ever, world

without end.     Liturgy of St. James

3rd Week-Day Morning

59—On Waking

      Thou Who sendest forth the light, createst the I morning, makest the sun to rise on the good and on the evil: enlighten the blindness of our minds with the knowledge of the truth: lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us: that in Thy light we may see light, and, at the last, in the light of grace the light of glory.     Lancelot Andrewes

60—Dedication

      Blessed be Thy Name, O Lord God, Who hast  set before me life and death, and hast bid me choose life.  Behold, Lord, I do with all my heart choose life; I choose Thee, O my God, for Thou art my life.  Save, Lord, and hear me, O King of heaven, and accept my sacrifice, even the sacrifice of my whole heart, which I now give Thee.  O my God, I offer Thee my senses and passions, and all my faculties; I offer Thee all my desires, all my designs, all my studies, all my endeavours, all the remainder of my life; all that I have, or am, I offer up all entirely to Thy service.

      Lord, sanctify me wholly, that my whole spirit, soul, and body may become Thy temple.  O do Thou dwell in me, and be Thou my God, and I will be Thy servant.     Thomas Ken

61—Gloria

      Glory be to Thine all-blessed providence, O Lord, glory to Thy care for men, glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.  Glory, O Christ, to Thine uprising, glory to Thy dominion, glory to Thine ordering of all things; Giver of life, O Christ our God, Thou only lover of mankind, O Lord our Resurrection and our life, glory be to Thee.     Eastern Orthodox

62—May God give us light to guide us, courage to support us, and love to unite us, now and evermore.     Unknown

3rd Week-Day Evening

63—Bible-Reading

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who art the truth incarnate, and the teacher of the faithful; let Thy Spirit be present with us in reading Thy Word, and conform our hearts to Thy revelation: that learning of Thee with honest hearts, we may be rooted and built up in Thee; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Anon.

64—Faith

      O Lord God, suffer us not to lean to our own wisdom, nor to believe as blind flesh fancieth, nor to seek salvation where superstition dreameth; but let our faith only be grounded on Thy Word, and give us grace truly to believe in Thee, with all our heart to put our trust in Thee, to look for all good things of Thee, to call upon Thy blessed Name in adversity, and with joyful voices and more merry hearts to praise and magnify it in prosperity.     Thomas Becon

65—Evening

      Watch Thou, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, 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.     St. Augustine

66—Temporal And Eternal

      Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly, and while now we dwell among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

67—The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life; and may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.     Sarum Primer

4th Week-Day Morning

68—Self-Mastery And Service

      O Lord, help us to be masters of ourselves, that we  may be servants of others.     Sir Alexander Paterson

69—Daily Work

      O Lord, our heavenly Father, by Whose providence the duties of men are variously ordered: grant to us all such a spirit that we may labour heartily to do our work in our several stations, as serving one Master and looking for one reward.  Teach us to put to good account whatever talents Thou hast lent to us; help us to overcome all sloth and indolence; and enable us to redeem our time by zeal and patience; through Thy Son, our Saviour.     Bishop Westcott

70—Against Carefulness

      O Lord, take from me a careful heart in all worldly things, and grant that neither poverty oppress me and drive me to despair or falsehood, neither wealth nor prosperity lift me up to forget Thee or myself; but that in prosperity I may be thankful, and in adversity patient and humble.  Make me merry without lightness, sad without mistrust, sober without dullness, fearing Thee without desperation, trusting in Thee without presumption.     Henry Bull

71—Gloria

      Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory be to Thee.  Glory to Thee and glory to Thine all-holy Name, for all Thy divine perfections therein: for Thy goodness to us sinners and unworthy, and mercy beyond all expression and imagination.  Yea, O Lord, glory and praise and blessing and thanksgiving, by the voices and concert of voices as well of angels as of men, and of all Thy saints in heaven, and of all Thy creation withal on earth, world without end.     Lancelot Andrews

4th Week-Day Evening

72—Bible-Reading

      Grant to us, Lord, grace to hear Thy Word with devout attention, with deep reverence, and with a true desire both to practice what it commands and to obtain what it promises.  Imprint it upon our minds, and write it upon our hearts; and grant that, contemplating Thy glory in this bright mirror of Thy Gospel, we may be changed into the same image through Thy Spirit.     Benedict Pictet

73—Humility

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst humble Thyself to become man, and to be born into the world for our salvation: teach us the grace of humility, root out of our hearts all pride and haughtiness, and so fashion us after Thy holy likeness in this world, that in the world to come we may be made like unto Thee; for Thine own Name’s and mercies’ sake.     Bishop Waltham How

74—Dedication

      O Lord, I give Thee humble and hearty thanks for Thy great goodness and mercy towards me.  What Thou hast further for me to do or to suffer, Thou alone knowest.  Give me patience and courage, and a firm resolution to do Thee service, with grace to do it.  And let me not live longer than to honour Thee; through Jesus Christ.     Archbishop Laud

75—The Way, The Truth, The Life

      Lord Jesus Christ, the Way by which we travel: shew me Thyself, the Truth that we must walk in: and be in me the Life that lifts us up to God, our journey’s ending.     Frederick B. Macnutt

76—Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.     Revelation 5:13

5th Week-Day Morning

77—Invocation

      Keep me, O my God, from the great offence; quench in me all vain imaginations and sensual desires; sanctify and supply my heart with the dew of Thy Holy Spirit; refresh it with the streams of Thy grace, that it may bring forth fruit in due season, and not cumber the ground nor be cut off in Thy anger.     Henry Vaughan

78—Guidance

      O Lord, Who hast taught us that the way of man is not in himself, and hast mercifully promised to keep the feet of Thy saints: direct our thoughts and inspire our actions, we humbly pray Thee, to the good of Thy Church and the fulfillment of Thy eternal purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     J. Armitage Robinson

79—Dedication

      Lord, I give and offer up unto Thee myself and all that is mine, actions and words, repose and silence; only do Thou preserve and guide me, and direct my hand and mind and tongue to things that are honest and acceptable to Thee, and withdraw me from anything from which it were better to abstain, by and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.     Archbishop Laud

5th Week-Day Evening

80—Faith

      O Father, I will trust Thee: for all the known and all the unknown good that I have ever had has come from Thee.  Sweet Saviour, I will trust Thee: Thy grace is all-sufficient for my soul, as mighty as Thy power and as matchless as Thy love.  Blest Spirit, I will trust Thee: how can I ever dare to trust myself, to think, or speak, or act apart from Thee?  O God, my God, my hope and stay, Who knowest and orderest all that is best, I know not what to will or do aright; then make me ever love to choose and do Thy will.     Bishop Frere

81—Bible-Reading

      O Lord God, Who hast left unto us Thy holy Word  to be a lantern unto our feet, and a light unto our steps: give unto us all Thy Holy Spirit, that out of the same Word we may learn what is Thy eternal will, and frame our lives in all holy obedience to the same, to Thy honour and glory and increase of our faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Edward Dering

82—Love And Service

      O God, the God of all goodness and all grace, Who art worthy of a greater love than we can give or understand: fill our hearts with such love toward Thee as may cast out all sloth and fear, that nothing may seem to us too hard to do or to suffer in obedience to Thee; and grant that in loving Thee we may become daily more like Thee, and may finally obtain the crown of life which Thou hast promised to them that love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

83—Gloria

      Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men: for unto us is born a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.  We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, for this greatest of Thy mercies, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.  O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who wast made man to take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us by turning us from our iniquities.  Thou Who wast manifested to destroy the works of the devil, have mercy upon us by enabling us to renounce and forsake them.  Thou Who art the great Advocate with the Father, receive our prayer, we humbly beseech Thee.     Thomas Ken

6th Week-Day Morning

84—On Waking

      Most blessed Trinity, and one eternal God, as Thou hast this day awaked me from this bodily sleep, so awake my soul from the sleep of sin; and as Thou hast given me strength after sleep, now again to watch, so after death give me life; what is death to me is but sleep with Thee; to Whom be ascribed all glory, wisdom, majesty, dominion, and praise, now and for ever.     Henry Vaughan

85—Dedication

      O Heavenly Father, subdue in me whatever is contrary to Thy holy will.  Grant that I may ever study to know Thy will, that I may discover how to please Thee.  Give me a true understanding and love of Thy Word, that it may be to me bread which nourisheth to eternal life.  Grant also that I may never run into those temptations which in my prayers I desire to avoid; and never permit my trials, O Lord, to be above my strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

86—Hope in God

      O God, Who never forsakest those that hope in Thee: grant that we may ever keep that hope which Thou hast given us by Thy Word as an anchor of our souls, to preserve us sure and steadfast, unshaken and secure in all the storms of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

87—Invocation

      We thank Thee, O Lord, for the revelation of Thy will which Thou hast given us in the blessings which Thou Thyself hast pronounced upon those who love Thee.  Send to us Thy Holy Spirit to guide and teach us, that we may be made worthy of Thy heavenly kingdom, and live now as fellow-citizens of the saints.  O Lord, hear us: O Lord, have mercy upon us: O Lord, make us like unto Thee.     Bishop Westcott

6th Week-Day Evening

88—Bible-Reading

      O Lord God Almighty, Who art the source of knowledge and of truth; look down, we beseech Thee, upon us Thy servants gathered here for the study of Thy Word, and of whatsoever helps to the understanding of it.  Fill us with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, Who alone leadeth into all truth; and grant us a right judgement in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

89—Inward Peace

      O Thou Who art peace eternal, and givest peace to those who are steadfast in heart: let Thy peace be upon us Thy servants, that in the doing of Thy will we may ourselves find peace, and ever be ministers of peace to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

90—Gloria

      Glory be to Thee, O Lord, my Creator.  Glory be to Thee, O Jesus, my Redeemer.  Glory be to Thee, the Holy Ghost, my Sanctifier, my Guide, and Comforter.  All love, all glory, be to the high and undivided Trinity, Whose works are inseparable, and Whose dominion endureth world without end; to Thee, to Thee alone, and to Thy Son, and Holy Spirit, be glory for ever and ever.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

91—Dedication

      Take, Lord, all my liberty.  Receive my memory, my understanding, and my whole will.  Whatever I have and possess Thou hast given to me; to Thee I restore it wholly, and to Thy will I utterly surrender it for Thy direction.  Give me the love of Thee only, with Thy grace, and I am rich enough; nor ask I anything beside.     St. Ignatius of Loyola

7th Week-Day Morning

92—Invocation

      O God our Father, Who hast sent Thy Son to be our Saviour: renew in us day by day the power of Thy Holy Spirit; that with knowledge and zeal, with courage and love, with gratitude and hope, we may strive manfully in Thy service: may He keep our vision clear, our aspiration high, our purpose firm, and our sympathy wide; that we may live as faithful soldiers and servants of our Lord Jesus Christ.     William Temple

93—Dedication

      O Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, grant me, a weak and wretched sinner, to have ever before the eyes of my heart Thy life and character, and as far as in me lies to imitate them.  Make me to go forward in them and to grow up into a perfect man and into an holy temple in the Lord.  Enlighten, I pray Thee, my heart with the brightness of Thy grace, and let it continually prevent and follow me; that having Thee as my guide in all my ways, I may do such things as please Thee and shun what is displeasing in Thy sight.  Direct, I beseech Thee, my thoughts, words, and actions in Thy law and in Thy precepts, O Most High; so that in all things I may do Thy will, and may be accounted worthy to be saved by Thee both here and for ever.     Ludolphus of Saxony

94—Gloria

      Glory to our ascended Lord, that He is with us always.  Glory to the Word of God, going forth with His armies, conquering and to conquer.  Glory to Him Who has led captivity captive, and given gifts for the perfecting of His saints.  Glory to Him Who has gone before to prepare a place in His Father’s home for us.  Glory to the Author and Finisher of our Faith; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To Whom be all worship and praise, dominion and glory; now and for ever and ever.     Anon.

95—After Prayer

      O Lord, hear my prayer, fulfill my desire to my good, and to the praise of Thy holy Name.     Sarum Breviary

7th Week-Day Evening

96—O Merciful Lord God, heavenly Father, whether we sleep or wake, live or die, we are always Thine.  Wherefore we beseech Thee heartily that Thou wilt vouchsafe to take care and charge of us, and not suffer us to perish in the works of darkness, but to kindle the light of Thy countenance in our hearts; that Thy Godly knowledge may daily increase in us through a right and pure faith, and that we may always be found to walk and live after Thy will and pleasure.     The Primer

97—Dedication

      O God, my protector, enlighten, I beseech Thee, my inward eyes, that I consent not to sin; strengthen all my powers, that I may overcome mine enemies.  Lord, subject all my senses and all my members to my spirit, in order to serve Thee alone.  Cleanse Thou my heart, inflame my spirit, enlighten my understanding, collect my thoughts, unite all my powers, and bind them together with the chain of Thy love and the fetters of Thy fear, so that nevermore may I be estranged from Thee, but that, ever subject and united to Thee, I may cleave unto Thee and faint not, but rather fear, and love, and thank, and praise, and bless Thee now and for ever.     John Tauler

98—Inward Peace

      O Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation  nor shadow of turning, Who abidest steadfast as the stars of heaven: give us grace to rest upon Thy eternal changelessness, and in Thy faithfulness find peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     G. W. Briggs

99—Evening

      Preserve me, Lord, while I am waking, and defend me while I am sleeping, that my soul may continually watch for Thee, and both body and soul may rest in Thy peace for ever.     Bishop Cosin

8th Week-Day Morning

100—Dedication

      Grant, O Lord, that I may be so ravished in the wonder and love of Thee that I may forget myself and all things; may feel neither prosperity nor adversity; may not fear to suffer all the pain in the world rather than be parted and pulled away from Thee.  O let me find Thee more inwardly and verily present with me than I am with myself; and make me most circumspect how I do use myself in the presence of Thee, my holy Lord. Lord, I desire nothing neither in myself nor in any creature, save only to know and execute Thy blessed will; saying alway in my heart, Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do?  Transform my will into Thine.     Robert Leighton

101—The Way, The Truth, The Life

      Lord Jesu Christ, Who hast said that Thou art the Way, the Truth, and the Life: we pray Thee suffer us not at any time to stray from Thee, Who art the Way; nor ever to distrust Thy promises, Who art the Truth; nor to rest in any other thing than Thee, Who art the Life; for Thou hast taught us what to believe, what to do, what to hope, and wherein to rest.     Erasmus

102—The Likeness Of Love

      O blessed Jesus, Who knowest the impurity of our affection, the narrowness of our sympathy, and the coldness of our love, take possession of our souls and fill our minds with the image of Thyself; break the stubbornness of our selfish wills and mould us in the likeness of Thine unchanging love, O Thou Who only could, our Saviour, our Lord and our God.     William Temple

103—To God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; to the eternal Son, that was incarnate and born of a Virgin; to the Spirit of the Father and the Son; be all honour and glory, worship, and thanksgiving, now and for ever.    Jeremy Taylor

8th Week-Day Evening

104—Bible-Reading

      O Holy and eternal Jesus, Who hast begotten us by Thy Word, renewed us by Thy Spirit, fed us by Thy sacraments, and by the daily ministry of Thy Word; still go on to build us up to life eternal.  Let Thy most Holy Spirit be present with me, and rest upon me in reading or hearing Thy sacred Word, that I may do it humbly, reverently, without prejudice, with a mind ready and desirous to learn, and to obey, that I may be readily furnished and instructed to every good work, and may practice all Thy holy laws and commandments, to the glory of Thy Name.     Jeremy Taylor

105—Love Of God

      Lord, give me what Thou wiliest, only deny me not Thyself; let me not possess Thee less, love Thee less, than, if faithful, I should have loved Thee; be it that here I must be a wreck of myself; but bind me up, remake me, that I contain not for ever less of Thee and of Thy love.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

106—The Inward Christ

      O God, Who madest me for Thyself, to show forth Thy goodness in me: manifest, I humbly beseech Thee, the life-giving power of Thy holy nature within me; help me to such a true and living faith in Thee, such strength of hunger and thirst after the birth, life, and spirit of Thy holy Jesus in my soul, that all that is within me, may be turned from every inward thought or outward work that is not Thee, Thy holy Jesus, and heavenly working in my soul.     William Law

107—Unto Him Who is the blessed and only potentate, the  King of kings, and Lord of Lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, Whom no man bath seen, nor can see: be honour and power everlasting.  Amen.     1 Timothy 6:15–16

9th Week-Day Morning

108—O God, Who dividest day from night, give us hearts and minds unshadowed by the gloom of evil; that we may think continually upon things that are good and wholesome, and be always pleasing in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

109—Invocation

      O Eternal God, the fountain of wisdom and the  giver of grace, Who didst send Thy Spirit to dwell with our fathers and to guide them into the way of truth: grant to us in our difficulties and dangers that we also may be guided by the light and power of the same Spirit, to know Thy mind and to do Thy will, for the glory of Thy Name and the enlightenment of Thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Arthur W. Robinson

110—Sympathy

      Blessed Lord, Who for our sakes wast content to sorrow, and want, and death, grant unto us such a measure of Thy Spirit that we may follow Thee in all self-denial and tenderness of soul.  Help us, by Thy great love, to succour the afflicted, to relieve the needy and destitute, to comfort the feeble-minded, to share the burdens of the heavy laden, and ever to see Thee in all that are poor and desolate.     Bishop Westcott

111—Thanksgiving

      O Thou, Who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and on Whom the eyes of all do wait, Who crownest the year with Thy goodness, and openest Thine hand and finest all things living with plenteousness: every day we give thanks unto Thee, and praise Thy Name for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     W. A. Knight

9th Week-Day Evening

112—Evening

      O Lord Jesus Christ, our watchman and keeper, take us to Thy care: grant that, our bodies sleeping, our minds may watch in Thee, and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heavenly life, wherein Thou art the King and Prince, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, where Thy angels and holy souls be most happy citizens.  O purify our souls, keep clean our bodies, that in both we may please Thee, sleeping and waking, for ever.     Elizabethan

113—Invocation

      O Most Holy Spirit of God, from Whom alone floweth the fullness of wisdom and life: come in Thine everlasting power and glory, we beseech Thee, upon Thy Church and into the hearts of men; to bring to the world a new birth of holiness, new interpretations of truth, and new unity in love; in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with the Father and Thee liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.     E. Milner-White

114—Enlightenment

      O God, Who by Thine Almighty Word dost enlighten every man that cometh into the world: enlighten, we beseech Thee, the hearts of us Thy servants by the glory of Thy grace, that we may ever think such things as are worthy and well-pleasing to Thy Majesty, and love Thee with a perfect heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Alcuin

115—To God the Father, Who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved: to God the Son, Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own Blood: to God the Holy Ghost, Who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts: be all love and glory for time and for eternity.     Thomas Ken

10th Week-Day Morning

116—Morning

      O Heavenly Father, in Whom we live and move and have our being, we humbly pray Thee so to guide and govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our daily life we may never forget Thee, and remember that we are ever walking in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

117—Thanksgiving

      It is meet and right to worship the Father, the Son, and I the Holy Spirit, Trinity of one substance and undivided: it is meet and right to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to praise Thee, to give thanks to Thee, to worship Thee, ever being and being the same, Thee, and Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit.  For Thou art God, ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, being ever and being the same, Thou and Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit.  Thou didst bring us into being out of nothing, and when we had fallen Thou didst raise us up again, and didst leave nothing undone till Thou hadst led us up to heaven, and didst bestow upon us Thy kingdom that shall come.  For all these things we give thanks to Thee, and to Thine only-begotten Son, and Thy Holy Spirit, for all things that we know and know not, for Thy benefits manifest and hidden, which Thou hast freely given to us.     Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

118—Service

      Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     St. Ignatius of Loyola

119—God’s Protection

      The Lord enrich us with His grace, and further us with His heavenly blessing; the Lord defend us in adversity and keep us from all evil; the Lord receive our prayers, and graciously absolve us from our offences.     Gregorian Sacramentary

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120—Bible-Reading

      Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures.  Blessed art Thou, O Lord: O teach me Thy statutes: give me a word, O Word of the Father: touch my heart: enlighten the understandings of my heart: open my lips and fill them with my praise.  Be Thou, O Lord, in my spirit and in my mouth: in my mouth that lawfully and worthily I may show forth Thine oracles by the hallowing power of Thy thrice Holy Spirit.     Lancelot Andrewes

121—The Goal Of Service

      Enlighten Thy people, O Lord, and inflame their hearts with Thy love: that they may daily follow Thy steps, as Thou commandest, and at last behold Thee face to face in heaven where Thou art; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

122—Evening: Thanksgiving

      Most gracious, Almighty God, Thou preserver of men, what shall I do unto Thee?  What shall I render unto my Lord for all the mercies and loving-kindnesses showed unto Thy servant this day, and all the days of my life hitherto?  I will offer unto Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the Name of the Lord.  I will ever love Thee, fear Thee, praise Thee, and trust in Thee.  My song shall be of Thee in the night-season, and in the daytime I will be speaking of Thy wondrous works, Thy most merciful and liberal arm; I will make Thee my delight in the house of my pilgrimage, and I shall always with all my strength, with all my heart, and with all my soul, ascribe unto Thee all glory, wisdom, majesty, dominion, and honour, this day and for evermore.     Henry Vaughan

123—Ascription

      Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee, O Holy One, glory to Thee, O King!     St. Chrysostom

11th Week-Day Morning

124—Invocation

      O Holy Spirit, Who abhorrest all uncleanness and rejoicest and delightest to dwell in pure and innocent hearts: I beseech Thee by Thy mercies that, as I owe to Thy loving-kindness this glorious treasure which I carry in an earthen vessel, so I may keep it safe by Thy goodness, and daily pleasing Thee more and more with undefiled soul and body, may come to that life which knows no corruption, in which Thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Son.     Elizabethan

125—Inward Peace

      O Thou Lover of mankind, send down into our hearts that peace which the world cannot give, and give us peace in this world.  O King of Peace, keep us in love and charity; be our God, for we have none other beside Thee; grant unto our souls the life of righteousness, that the death of sin may not prevail against us, or against any of Thy people.     W. F. Hook

126—Enlightenment

      We beseech Thee, Lord Jesus, to enlighten us Thy people and set our hearts aflame with the fire of Thy love: that we may ever acknowledge Thee as our Saviour and inwardly behold Thee as our Lord; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end.

127—Brotherly Love

      Almighty and most merciful God, Who hast given us a new commandment that we should love one another, give us also grace that we may fulfill it.  Make us gentle, courteous, and forbearing.  Direct our lives so that we may look to the good of others in word and deed.  And hallow all our friendships by the blessing of Thy Spirit; for His sake Who loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop Westcott

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128—Before Study

      O God, Who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired, should be sought by labour, and Who, by Thy blessing, bringest honest labour to good effect; look with mercy upon my studies and endeavours.  Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right; and afford me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do Thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.     Dr. Johnson

129—Heroic Love

      O Jesus, Master and Lord, pour into our hearts Thine own heroic love, that being filled with love we may know the love which passeth knowledge, and live in the unknown power of love to win men to trust in love, to the glory of God Who is Love.     William Temple

130—Night

      To my weariness, O Lord, vouchsafe Thou rest, to my exhaustion renew Thou strength.  Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death.  Deliver me from the terror by night, the pestilence that walketh in darkness.  Supply me with healthy sleep, that I may pass through this night without fear.  O Keeper of Israel, Who neither slumberest nor sleepest, guard me this night from all evil, guard my soul, O Lord.  Shelter me with the wing of Thy pity; awaken me at the fitting time, the time of prayer; and give me to seek Thee early, for Thy glory, and for Thy service.     Lancelot Andrewes

131—Purity

      Eternal God, Who hast taught us by Thy holy Word that our bodies are temples of Thy Spirit, keep us, we most humbly beseech Thee, temperate and holy in thought, word, and deed, that at the last, with all the pure in heart, we may see Thee, and be made like unto Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom.     Bishop Westcott

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132—Dedication

      O King of glory and Lord of valours, our warrior and our peace; Who hast said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” be Thou victorious in us Thy servants, for without Thee we can do nothing.  Give us both to will and to perform.  Grant Thy compassion to go before us, Thy compassion to come behind us: before us in undertaking, behind us in our ending.  And what shall I more say, unless that Thy will be done, Who dost will that all men should be saved?  Thy will is our salvation, our glory, and our joy.     Alcuin

133—Thanksgiving

      Praised be God in His power and glory; the Father, Creator of all, from everlasting to everlasting; the Son, our Saviour and Redeemer; the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter.  We praise Him, for that He judges the world in righteousness; we praise Him, in that He waits upon us in His eternity; we praise Him, Who will bring to an end all that is temporal; we praise Him, Who will perfect the thing which He has begun.     From the German

134—Touching Lives

      All through this day, O Lord, may I touch as many lives as Thou wouldst have me touch for Thee; and those whom I touch do Thou with Thy Holy Spirit quicken, whether by the word I speak, the letter I write, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live.     Unknown

135—The Holy Trinity

      God the Father, Who didst create us: God the Son, Who hast redeemed us: God the Holy Spirit, Who dost sanctify us: bless us and keep us, O Blessed Trinity, in body, soul, and spirit, unto life everlasting.     From the German

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136—For Bible-Reading

      Let not Thy Word, O Lord, become a judgement upon us, that we hear it and do it not, that we know it and love it not, that we believe it and obey it not: O Thou, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, world without end.     Thomas à Kempis

137—Gifts Of Grace

      O Lord, increase in me faith and devotion; replenish my heart with all goodness, and by Thy great mercy keep me in the same.  Give me Godly zeal in prayer, true humility in prosperity, perfect patience in adversity, and continual joy in the Holy Ghost; even for Jesus Christ His sake, my only Lord and Saviour.     Archbishop Laud

138—Inward Peace

      O Lord God, heavenly Father, Who didst give up Thine only-begotten Son into grief and sorrow, that we might have peace through Him: grant us so surely to found our faith upon Him alone that we may have peace in our souls.  Quicken us with Thy Word; grant already here on earth the peace which is a foretaste of the rest that remaineth for Thy people.  And while the cares and tumults of this life beset us round about, guide us in all our undertakings by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Swedish Liturgy

139—Thanksgiving

      We thank Thee, O Lord, for all who have chosen poverty or solitude for Thy sake, for men of prayer, for saints in common life who have borne suffering for noble ends, and for those who have endured pain with patience and purity of life, in the strength of Him Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, even Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

13th Week-Day Morning

140—We give Thee thanks, holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, Who hast been pleased to bring us through the night to the hours of morning: we pray Thee graciously to grant that we may pass this day without sin, so that at eventide we may again give thanks to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

141—The Finding Of Love

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Word of God, Creator and Redeemer, possess our mind and conscience, our heart and imagination, by Thine indwelling Spirit; that we and all men, being purged of pride, may find and rest in that love which is Thy very self.     William Temple

142—Service

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who when on earth wast ever occupied about Thy Father’s business; grant that we may not grow weary in well-doing.  Give us grace to do all in Thy Name; be Thou the beginning and the end of all; the pattern Whom we follow, the redeemer in Whom we trust, the master Whom we serve, the friend to Whom we look for sympathy.  May we never shrink from our duty through any fear of man; make us faithful unto death: and bring us at last into the eternal presence, where with the Father and the Holy Ghost Thou livest and reignest for ever.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

143—Commendation – In Manus Tuas

      Into Thy hands I commend my spirit, soul, body: Thou hast created, redeemed, regenerated them, O Lord of truth: and with me all mine and all things mine: Thou hast bestowed them upon me, O Lord, in Thy goodness.  Preserve us from all evil, preserve our souls, I beseech Thee, O Lord: keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of Thy glory in that day.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be alway acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.     Lancelot Andrewes

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144—Day And Night

      O Christ, Who art the Keeper of all, let Thy right hand guard and overshadow me by day and by night; when I sit in the house, and when I walk abroad; when I lie down, and when I rise up again, lest at any time I fall; to the glory of Thy Name.     St. Nerses

145—Love Of God

      My God, I love Thee Thyself above all else, and Thee I desire as my last end.  Always and in all things, with my whole heart and strength, and with unceasing labour, I seek Thee.  If Thou give not Thyself to me, Thou givest nothing: if I find not Thee, I find nothing.  Grant to me, therefore, most loving God, that I may ever love Thee for Thyself above all things and seek Thee in all things in this life present, so that at last I may find Thee and keep Thee for ever in the world to come.     Thomas Bradwardine

146—Temporal And Eternal

      O Lord Jesus Christ, exalt me with Thee so to know the mystery of life that I may use the earthly as the appointed expression and type of the heavenly; and by using to Thy glory the natural body, I may be fit to be exalted to the use of the spiritual body.     Charles Kingsley

147—Benedictus

      Blessed be He Who in His love stooped to redeem  mankind!  Blessed be the King Who made Himself poor to enrich the needy!  Blessed be He Who came to fulfill the types and emblems of the prophets!  Blessed be He Who made creation rejoice with the wealth and treasure of His Father!  Blessed be He Whose glory the dumb sang with hosannas!  Blessed be He to Whom little children sang new glory in hymns of praise!  Blessed be the new King Who came that new-born babes might glorify Him!  Blessed be He unto Whom children brought faltering songs to praise Him among His disciples!     Ephraem of Edessa

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148—Morning

      O Almighty God, Who sittest upon the throne, make all things within us new this day.  Renew our faith, and hope, and love; renew our wills, that we may serve Thee gladly and watchfully with all our powers; renew our delight in Thy truth and in Thy worship; renew our joy in Thee, our longing that all may know Thee, our desires and labours to serve others.  And so take care of us Thy people, who embrace the Cross of Thy Son and desire to walk in the light and power of Thy Spirit, now and evermore.     Unknown

149—Dedication

      Use me, my Saviour, for whatever purpose and in  whatever way Thou mayest require.  Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel: fill it with Thy grace.  Here is my sinful and troubled soul: quicken it and refresh it with Thy love.  Take my heart for Thine abode; my mouth to spread abroad the glory of Thy Name; my love and all my powers for the advancement of Thy believing people; and never suffer the steadfastness and confidence of my faith to abate.     Dwight L. Moody

150—Adoration And Thanksgiving

      Thou, O God, art praised in Sion and unto Thee shall I the vows be performed.  Thou art worthy, O Lord our God the Holy One, to receive glory and honour and power.  Thou that hearest the prayer unto Thee shall all flesh come: this withal shall come.  But my misdeeds prevail against me: O be thou merciful unto my sins: that I may come to give thanks unto Thee with all Thy works and with Thy holy ones.  O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips and my mouth shall show Thy praise.     Lancelot Andrewes

151—Guidance

      Teach me, O my Lord Jesus, instruct me, that I may I learn from Thee what I ought to teach concerning Thee.     Archbishop Laud

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152—Bible-Reading

      Grant me of Thy grace, O Christ, I beseech Thee, that Thy good Spirit may lead me in the right way, and remove far from me him who cometh to destroy; that casting away all malice of evil, I may search into the commandments of my God, and with the eyes of my mind awakened go forward faithfully to read and to weigh the marvels of Thy holy law.     The Venerable Bede

153—Temporal And Eternal

      O Lord our God, Who dost guide those who seek Thee through the vain shows of earth into the knowledge of Thy heavenly reality: let Thy goodness uphold us and Thy right hand lead us, that we may obediently reject the illusions of things temporal and walk without faltering in the light of things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

154—Dedication

      Lord, Who hast called me with a holy calling; O Word of God, living and active, be Thou quick to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart, that I may not glory save in the Cross, that I may not tire in well-doing, and not wax weary in soul.  Lord, I lack wisdom, make me wise, Who ask in faith and doubt neither Thy power nor Thy love; may my inner man be renewed day by day, fashioned after the image of God.  And this I pray that love may abound in knowledge and all discernment, to learn to know Thy will and Thee, my God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding and orderly prudence.     Archbishop Benson

155—Blessing and honour and thanksgiving and praise,  more than we can utter, more than we can conceive, be unto Thee, O holy and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by all angels, by all men, all creatures, for ever and ever.     Thomas Ken

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156—Morning

      Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves this day.  Let Thy presence be with us to its close.  Strengthen us to remember that in whatsoever good work we do we are serving Thee.  Give us a diligent and watchful spirit, that we may seek in all things to know Thy will, and knowing it, gladly to perform it; to the honour of Thy Name.     Unknown

157—Faith, Hope, And Love

      Lord, give me faith that tries and tests the things unseen, and assures itself of Thee Who art the truth, that doubt may not overwhelm nor darkness cover me; give me hope, that I may follow the light of Thy sure promises, and lose not the way nor fall into byways; give me love, that I may give Thee myself as Thou givest; for Thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for; and Thou art blessedness beyond all thought and heart’s desiring.     Frederick B. Macnutt

158—Liberation And Service

      O God, Who knowest our hearts and seest our temptations, our struggles, and our deep distress: have pity upon us, and deliver us from the evil that wars against our souls.  Thou art all-powerful, and we are weak and sinful; but our hope is in Thee, O faithful and good God.  Release us from bondage to evil, and grant that henceforth we may serve Thee in the freedom of Thy holy love.     Eugene Bersier

159—Brotherly Love

      O God, Who of Thy great love to man didst reconcile earth to heaven through Thine only-begotten Son: grant that we who by the darkness of our sins are turned aside from brotherly love, may be filled with His Spirit shed abroad within us, and embrace our friends in Thee and our enemies for Thy sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Mozarabic

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160—Dedication

      Lord Jesus, All-pure, purify us that we may behold All-holy, sanctify us that we may stand before Thee.  All-gracious, mould us that we may please Thee.  Very love, suffer us not to set at naught Thy love; suffer not devil, world, flesh, to destroy us; suffer not ourselves to destroy ourselves; us with whom Thou strivest, whom Thou desirest, whom Thou lovest.     Christina Rossetti

161—Faith

      Almighty God, Who in Thy wisdom hast so  ordered our earthly life that we needs must walk by faith and not by sight; grant us such faith in Thee that, amidst all things that pass our understanding, we may believe in Thy fatherly care, and ever be strengthened by the assurance that underneath are the everlasting arms; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

162—Thanksgiving: For The Church

      O God, most glorious, most bountiful, accept, we humbly beseech Thee, our thanksgivings for Thy Holy Catholic Church: for the light of the faith which it has handed on to us, and for the mercies by which Thou hast redeemed, us from the power of sin; for the love which Thou hast shed abroad upon the earth, and for the holy lives in which Thou hast revealed Thyself to mankind.  Glory be to Thee, O blessed Trinity; and to Thee be ascribed all honour, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore.     Anon.

163—Worship

      Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honour and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created.     Revelation 4:11

16th Week-Day Morning

164—Dedication

      Lord Jesu, I give Thee my body, my soul, my substance, my fame, my friends, my liberty, and my life; dispose of me, and of all that is mine, as it seemeth best to Thee, and to the glory of Thy blessed Name.  Be Thou a light unto mine eyes, music to mine ears, sweetness to my taste, and a full contentment to my heart.  Be Thou my sunshine in the day, my food at the table, my repose in the night, my clothing in nakedness, and my succour in all necessities.     Bishop Cosin

165—Before Undertaking Daily Duties

      O Lord, I have a busy world around me; eye, ear, and thought will be needed for all my work to be done in that busy world.  Now ere I enter upon it I would commit eye, ear, and thought to Thee.  Do Thou bless them and keep their work Thine; such as, through Thy natural laws my heart beats and my blood flows without any thought of mine for them, so my spiritual life may hold on its course at those times when my mind cannot consciously turn to Thee to commit each particular thought to Thy service.  Hear my prayer for my dear Redeemer’s sake.     Dr. Arnold of Rugby

166—Love And Faith

      Lord, I believe in Thee; help Thou mine unbelief.  I love Thee, yet not with a perfect heart as I would; I long for Thee, yet not with my full strength; I trust in Thee, yet not with my whole mind.  Accept my faith, my love, my longing to know and serve Thee, my trust in Thy power to keep me.  What is cold do Thou kindle, what is lacking do Thou make up.  I wait Thy blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Malcolm Spencer

167—Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.     Revelation 7:12

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168—Bible-Reading

      O God, our heavenly Father, Who hast made known unto us through the Gospel the way of redemption for the forgiveness of our sins: grant unto us, we pray Thee, that we may not contemn Thy Word, but receive it from our hearts and put our sole trust in Thy mercy and in the merits of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ.     Lutheran Liturgy

169—Humility

      Lord Jesu Christ, Whose whole life was nothing but humility and meekness, Who only art our very righteousness; grant us to serve and honour Thee, with humble and meek hearts, and in all our life and conversation to desire to be occupied in the works of righteousness; which livest and reignest.     The Primer

170—God Our Portion

      My God, I take Thee for my portion: from mere prudence I turn from the world to Thee; I give up the world for Thee.  I renounce that which promises for him who performs.  To whom else should I go?  I desire to find and feed on Thee here; I desire to feed on Thee, Jesu my Lord, Who art risen, Who hast gone up on high, Who yet remainest with Thy people on earth.  I look up to Thee; I look for the living bread which is in heaven, which comes down from heaven: give me ever of this bread.  Destroy this life, which will soon perish, even though Thou dost not destroy it; and fill me with that supernatural life which will never die.     Cardinal Newman

171—God Our Guardian

      May God Almighty direct our days in His peace, and grant us the gifts of His blessing; may He deliver us in all our troubles, and establish our minds in the tranquility of His peace; may He so guide us through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal.     Gregorian Sacramentary

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172—Dedication

      Lord, here I am, do with me as seems best in Thine own eyes; only give me, I humbly beseech Thee, a penitent and patient spirit to expect Thee.  Make my service acceptable to Thee while I live, and my soul ready for Thee when I die.     Archbishop Laud

173—Morning

      O Lord, Who hast brought us through the darkness of night to the light of morning, and by Thy Holy Spirit dost lighten the darkness of ignorance and sin: we beseech Thee of Thy loving-kindness to pour Thy holy light into our souls, that we may ever be devoted to Thee, by Whose wisdom we were created, by Whose mercy we were redeemed, and by Whose providence we are governed; to the honour and glory of Thy Name.     The Book of Hours

174—Dependence Upon God

      Grant, O God, that amidst all the discouragements, difficulties, dangers, distress, and darkness of this mortal life, I may depend upon Thy mercy, and on this build my hopes, as on a sure foundation.  Let Thine infinite mercy in Christ Jesus deliver me from despair, both now, and at the hour of death.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

175—Thanksgiving: For All Saints

      Here, O Lord, we do give unto Thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all Thy saints from the beginning of the world: and particularly in the glorious and ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and our God; and in the holy patriarchs, apostles, martyrs, confessors; whose examples, O Lord, and steadfastness in Thy faith and keeping Thy holy commandments, grant us to follow.     Non-Jurors’ Prayer Book

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176—Evening

      Merciful God, Who of Thine abundant goodness towards us hast made the day to travail in, and ordained the night wherein to take our rest: grant us such rest of body that we may continually have a waking soul, to watch for the time when our Lord shall appear to deliver us from this mortal life.  Let no vain or wandering fancy trouble us; let our ghostly enemies have no power over us, but let our minds be set wholly upon Thy presence, to love, and fear, and rest in Thee alone; that, being refreshed with a moderate and sober sleep, we may rise up again with cheerful strength and gladness to serve Thee in all good works.     Bishop Cosin

177—The Vision Of Christ

      O Lord, the fulfillment of them that love Thee, and the light that shineth upon them unto perfect day, Who givest rest and refreshment to them that fall asleep in Thee: grant unto us in all time of our service here on earth such a vision of Thyself as shall guide us through the world’s confusions, and support us in our conflicts and temptations.  Then, Lord, in Thy mercy receive us into the company of Thy saints, and unveil Thy glory, where Thou reignest in Thy everlasting kingdom, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

178—Dependence Upon God

      Be unto me, O Lord, alway Thy mighty hand for defense: Thy mercy in Christ for salvation: Thy all-true word for instruction: the grace of Thy life-bringing Spirit for comfort, until the end and in the end.     Lancelot Andrewes

179—The Comfort Of God

      The blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon all His people, in every land, of every tongue; the Lord meet in mercy all that seek Him; the Lord comfort all who suffer and mourn; the Lord hasten His coming, and give us, His people, peace by all means.     Bishop Moult

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180—Dedication

      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.     St. Fronds of Assisi

181—Happiness In God

      O God, Who art all goodness, make me to love Thee for Thyself and my neighbour for Thee.  Bless me in this life with but peace of my conscience, command of my affections, the love of Thyself and my dearest friends, and I shall be happy enough to pity Caesar.  These are, O Lord, the humble desires of my most reasonable ambition, and all I dare call happiness on earth; wherein I set no ;tile or limit to Thy hand or providence.  Dispose of me according to the wisdom of Thy pleasure: Thy will be done, though in my own undoing.     Sir Thomas Browne

182—Gloria

      Glory be to the Father of mercies, the Father of men and angels, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Glory be to the most holy and eternal Son of God, the blessed Saviour and Redeemer of the world, the Advocate of sinners, the Prince of peace, the Head of the Church, and the mighty deliverer of all them that call upon Him.  Glory be to the holy and eternal Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost the Comforter, the sanctifying and life-giving Spirit.  All glory and thanks, all honour and power, all love and obedience, be to the blessed and undivided Trinity, one God Eternal.  The heavens declare Thy glory, the earth confesses Thy providence, the sea manifests Thy power; and every spirit, and every understanding creature celebrates Thy greatness for ever and ever.  All glory and majesty, all praises and dominion be unto Thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever.     Jeremy Taylor

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183—Bible-Reading

      O Lord, Who hast given us the Scriptures to be a  lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths, grant that Thy Holy Spirit, Who proceedeth from Thee, may enlighten our minds and kindle our hearts, and that as Thy Son has promised, He may lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

184—Invocation

      O heavenly Father, the author and fountain of all truth, send, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, and lighten our understandings with the beams of Thy heavenly grace.  We ask this, O merciful Father, for Thy dear Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ’s sake.     Bishop Ridley

185—Faith, Hope, And Love

      O Lord, perfect for me that which is lacking of Thy gifts: of faith, increase my littleness of faith: of hope, stablish trembling hope: of love, kindle its smoking flax: shed abroad Thy love in my heart, withal to love Thee, my friend in Thee, mine enemy for Thee.  Let me fear one thing only, the fearing aught more than Thee.     Lancelot Andrewes

186—Evening

      O Lord, Thou keeper of Israel, which in Thy watch over Thy servants dost neither slumber nor sleep; be my keeper, and preserve me this night. O keep my soul.     Archbishop Laud

187—To Almighty God, Whose glory the heavens are telling, the earth His might, and the sea His power, and Whose majesty every feeling and thinking creature everywhere proclaims: to Him belong glory, honour, might, greatness, and magnificence, now and for evermore.     Liturgy of St. James

19th Week-Day Morning

188—Faith

      O Sweet Jesu, increase our faith daily in us more and more; that at the last, through Thy goodness, we may be made perfect and strong men in Thy holy religion, and show ourselves both before Thee and before the world truly faithful, by bringing forth plenty of good works, unto the glory and honour of Thy Name.     Thomas Becon

189—Dedication

      Grant me, O Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love that which is worth loving, to praise that which pleaseth Thee most, to esteem that highly which to Thee is precious, to abhor that which in Thy sight is evil and unclean.  Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of the ignorant; but with a true judgement to discern between things temporal and things spiritual, and above all else to fulfill the good pleasure of Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Thirteenth Century

190—Vision

      Come to us, O Lord! open the eyes of our souls, and show us the things which belong to our peace and the path of life; that we may see that, though all man’s inventions and plans come to an end, yet Thy commandment is exceeding broad — broad enough for rich and poor, for scholar, tradesman, and labourer, for our prosperity in this life and our salvation in the life to come.     Charles Kingsley

191—Joy In God

      O Christ our God, Who art Thyself the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and didst fulfill all the ordered purpose of the Father, always fill our hearts with joy and gladness, now and for ever, world without end.     Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

19th Week-Day Evening

192—Dedication

      Truly, O Lord, because Thou madest me, I owe unto I Thy love my whole self; because Thou didst redeem me, I owe Thee my whole self; because Thou makest me such great promises, I owe Thee my whole self, nay more, I owe unto Thy love more than myself, insomuch as Thou art greater than I, for whom Thou didst give Thyself, to whom Thou dost promise Thyself.  Make me, I beseech Thee, O Lord, to taste by love that which I taste by knowledge; to perceive by affection what I perceive by understanding. I owe more than my whole self to Thee, but I have no more than this, neither can I of myself render even all this to Thee.  Draw me, O Lord, into Thy love, even this whole self of mine.  All that I am is Thine by creation: make it to be all Thine by love.     St. Anselm

193—UNION WITH CHRIST

      Most loving Saviour, we would abide in Thee: make our hearts Thy dwelling-place; fill our minds with the thought and our imaginations with the picture of Thy love; take away whatever in us of selfishness or weakness hinders our hearing or obeying Thy call; teach us day by day to live closer to Thy side, which was pierced that we might live.     William Temple

194—Now the God of all grace and glory send the Spirit of His Son plentifully into our hearts, that we may abound in the fruits of Godly living, to the praise of His grace, our present comfort in this life, and the eternal salvation of our souls in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.     Robert Sanderson

195—The Holy Trinity

      God the Father, Maker of men; God the Son, born amongst men; God the Holy Spirit, sanctifying men; bless, preserve, and keep us, all whom we love, and all for Whom we pray, now and for evermore.

20th Week-Day Morning

196—On Rising

      Into Thy Almighty hands I do here resign my body and my soul, with all the faculties Thou hast bestowed upon both.  Guide Thou them in the works of Thy law; turn my eyes from all transitory objects to the things which are eternal, and from the cares and pride of this world (as Thou hast said) to the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field.     Henry Vaughan

197—Seeking God

      Lord, Thou art in me and shalt never be lost out of me, but I am not near Thee till I have found Thee.  Nowhere need I run to seek Thee, but within me where already Thou art.  Thou art the treasure hidden within me: draw me therefore to Thee that I may find Thee and serve and possess Thee for ever.     After Walter Hilton

198—The Knowledge Of God

      O God, let me know Thee and love Thee so that I  may rejoice in Thee.  And if I cannot know Thee, love Thee, rejoice in Thee fully in this life, let me go forward from day to day, until that knowledge, joy, and love at last may be full.  Let the knowledge of Thee grow in me here, and there be made full; let the love of Thee increase in me here and there be full; so that my joy may here be great in hope and there full in fruition.     St. Anselm

199—Service

      Inspire and strengthen us, O Lord God, by Thy Holy Spirit, to seek Thy will and uphold Thine honour in all things; in the purity and joy of our homes, in the trust and fellowship of our common life, in daily service of the good; after the pattern and in the power of Thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.     E. Milner-White

20th Week-Day Evening

200—Bible-Reading

      O Lord, Who hast given unto us Thy word of truth: quicken within us an increasing love of Thy revelation of Thyself; and grant that, delighting daily to exercise ourselves therein, and bringing forth fruit as trees of Thy planting, we may be nourished by the waters of Thy grace and daily be ripening unto everlasting life.     Mozarabic

201—Dedication

      Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all I the benefits which Thou hast given to me, for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for me.  O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly.      St. Richard

202—Thanksgiving: Agnus Dei

      O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world: Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father: Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost art most high in the glory of God the Father.

      Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

      Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power. and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.  Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come.

      Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

      Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.     After Lancelot Andrews

21st Week-Day Morning

203—God Our Satisfaction

      O God, the true and only life, in Whom and from Whom and by Whom are all good things that are good indeed; from Whom to be turned is to fall, to Whom to turn is to rise again; in Whom to abide is to dwell for ever, from Whom to depart is to die; to Whom to come again is to revive, and in Whom to lodge is to live: take away from me whatsoever Thou wilt, so that Thou give me only Thyself.     Thomas Dekker

204—Daily Work

      Almighty God, give us grace to do the work to which Thou hast called us with reverence and Godly fear, not with eye-service as pleasers of men, but in singleness of heart as in Thy sight.  Direct, we beseech Thee, all our thoughts, words, and deeds, with the help of Thy Holy Spirit; that we may set Thy will ever before us, and turn away from vanity and self-seeking, and give ourselves wholly unto Thee to spend and be spent in Thy service; through Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour.

205—The Inward Christ

      Lord, let it be my care so to behave myself, through the help of Christ, that I may receive Thee, my most holy Lord, that Thou mayest not only be my guest, but mayest abide with me for ever.     Archbishop Laud

206—Thanksgiving

      Thanks be to Thee, O God, thanks be to Thee, O true and undivided Trinity, O Verity, One and Three, O Unity, Three and One.  Thanks be to Thee, O God the Father, Who hast both manifested Thy Son unto me, and given Him to be my teacher: O grant likewise that He may be so for ever, according to Thy mercies of old time.     Archbishop Laud

21st Week-Day Evening

207—O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work done.  Then, Lord, in Thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, and holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

208—Zeal And Obedience

      Deliver me, O God, from a slothful mind, from all lukewarmness, and all dejection of spirit.  I know these cannot but deaden my love to Thee; mercifully free my heart from them, and give me a lively, zealous, active, and cheerful spirit; that I may vigorously perform whatever Thou commandest, thankfully suffer whatever Thou choosest for me, and be ever ardent to obey in all things Thy holy love.     John Wesley

209—Love Of Christ

      Set our hearts on fire with love to Thee, O Christ our God, that in that flame we may love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength, and our neighbours as ourselves; so that, keeping Thy commandments, we may glorify Thee, the giver of all good gifts.     Eastern Orthodox

210—Thanksgiving

      O God, Who hast given us life and all things good in  this world: Thou hast created us for Thy service, and when we have forsaken Thee in our wanderings Thou hast sought us out; Thou hast vouchsafed to us the precious treasure of Thy Gospel; Thou hast ordained that we should be born in the bosom of Thy Church; Thou hast revealed to us Thy exceeding great mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord; Thou hast borne with us in our rebellions, raised us up from our falls, comforted us in our sorrows.  For all these gifts of Thy grace, and for Thy benefits which we remember not, we Thine unworthy servants do give Thee thanks, and bless thy holy Name.     Eugene Bersier

22nd Week-Day Morning

211—We pray Thee, Lord, Who art the author and giver of light, that Thou wouldest banish from us this day the shadows of evil, and shed upon us the bright beams of Thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

212—Love Of God

      My God, I desire to love Thee perfectly: with all my heart which Thou madest for Thyself, with all my mind which only Thou canst satisfy, with all my soul which fain would soar to Thee, with all my strength, my feeble strength, which shrinks before so great a task, and yet can choose naught else but spend itself in loving Thee.  Claim Thou my heart, fill Thou my mind, uplift my soul, and reinforce my strength, that where I fail Thou mayest succeed in me, and make me love Thee perfectly.     Bishop Frere

213—Daily Work

      O renew our spirits and draw our hearts unto Thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden, but a delight; and give us such a mighty love to Thee as may sweeten our obedience.  O let us not serve Thee with the spirit of bondage as slaves, but with cheerfulness and gladness, delighting ourselves in Thee and rejoicing in Thy work.     Benjamin Jenks

214—Loyalty To Conviction

      Heavenly Father, the Father of all wisdom, understanding, and true strength, we beseech Thee look mercifully upon Thy servants, and send Thy Holy Spirit into their hearts, that when they must join to fight in the field for the glory of Thy holy Name, then they, strengthened with the defense of Thy right hand, may manfully stand in the confession of Thy faith, and continue in the same unto their lives’ end.     Bishop Ridley

215—Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and fiches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing.     Revelation 5:12

22nd Week-Day Evening

216—Bible-Reading

      O Lord and lover of men, let the pure light of the knowledge of Thee shine forth in our hearts, and open the eyes of our understanding that we may enter into the meaning of the proclamation of Thy Gospel.  Plant in us also the fear of Thy holy commandments, that we may trample underfoot all carnal lusts, and seek our citizenship which is in heaven, and think and do always such things as please Thee.  For Thou, O Christ our God, art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, and to Thee do we give glory, with Thine unbegotten Father and Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever.     Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

217—Peace Inward And Outward

      We heartily beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to deliver us from adversity to the body and from all noxious things which tempt and beset the soul: and as Thou dost mercifully ordain that we may dwell in outward tranquility, so grant to us also Thine inward peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

218—Evening

      May the Almighty God take me, my family, my relations, my friends, my benefactors, and my enemies, under His gracious protection; give His holy angels charge concerning us; preserve us from the prince and powers of darkness, and from the dangers of the night; and keep us in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

219—To the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, to the humanity of Jesus Christ crucified, glory infinitely be given of every creature, world without end.     The Primer

23rd Week-Day Morning

220—Invocation

      O Eternal God, the great Father of spirits, the  great lover of souls, Who didst send Thy Holy Spirit upon Thy Church in the day of Pentecost, and hast promised that He shall abide with Thy Church for ever: let Thy Holy Spirit lead us into all truth, defend us from all sin, enrich us with His gifts, refresh us with His comforts, rule in our hearts for ever, conduct us with His truth, and lead us in the way everlasting; that we living by Thy Spirit, and walking in Him, may by Him be sealed up to the day of our redemption.  O let Thy Spirit witness to our spirits that we are the children of God, and make us to be so for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.     Jeremy Taylor

221—Daily Work

      Protect us, O Lord, and prosper us as we labour in our vocations, that our work may be done with Thy blessing and be crowned with Thine approval; through Him Who was numbered among the craftsmen, Jesus Christ our Lord.

222—Morning

      O Thou, Who sendest forth light and createst the dawn, making Thy sun to shine upon the evil and on the good: enlighten the blindness of our hearts by the knowledge of Thy truth, and lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us; that in Thy light we may see light and behold at length in the light of grace that light of glory everlasting; and save us, good Lord.

223—To the only God invisible, the Father of truth, Who sent forth unto us the Saviour and Prince of immortality, through Whom also He made manifest unto us the truth and the heavenly life, to Him be the glory for ever and ever.     Early Christian Church

23rd Week-Day Everning

224—God Our Life

      Let me ever hold communion with Thee, my hidden but  my living God.  Thou art in my innermost heart: Thou art the life of my life: every breath I breathe, every thought of my mind, every good desire of my heart, is from the presence within me of the unseen God.  By nature and by grace Thou art in me: I see Thee not in the material world except dimly, but I recognize Thy voice in my own intimate consciousness; I turn round and say, Rabboni.  O be ever thus with me; and if I am tempted to leave Thee, do not Thou, O my God, leave me.  Cardinal Newman

225—The Knowledge Of God

      Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive Thee, intellect to understand Thee, diligence to seek Thee, patience to wait for Thee, vision to behold Thee, a heart to meditate upon Thee, and life to proclaim Thee.     St. Benedict

226—Dependence Upon God

      Preserve me Thy servant from all evil, lead me into all good; change my sorrows into comforts, my infirmity into spiritual strength; take all iniquity from me, and let Thy servant never depart from Thee.  I am Thine, O save me; I am Thine, sanctify me and preserve me for ever; that neither life nor death, health nor sickness, prosperity nor adversity, weakness within nor cross accidents without, may ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.     Jeremy Taylor

227—God And Our Friends

      The God of all love, Who is the source of our affection for each other formed here, take our friendships into His own keeping, that they may continue and increase throughout life and beyond it.     William Temple

24th Week-Day Morning

228—Invocation

      O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of  truth, Who art in all places, and finest all things, the treasure of blessings, and giver of life, come and abide in us.  Cleanse us from all impurity, and of Thy goodness save our souls.     Eastern Orthodox

229—God Transcendent

      O Thou, Who fillest heaven and earth, ever acting, ever at rest, Who art everywhere and everywhere art wholly present, Who art not absent even when far off, Who with Thy whole being fillest yet transcendest all things, Who teachest the hearts of the faithful without the din of words; teach us, we pray Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.     St. Augustine

230—Seeking God

      Lord, I have sought Thy face; Thy face, Lord, will I seek; O hide not Thou Thy face from me.  Raise me up out of myself unto Thee.  Cleanse, heal, quicken, enlighten the eye of my mind that it may look unto Thee.  Grant that my soul may collect its strength once more, and with all the power of my understanding strive after Thee, O Lord.  Surely Thou art life and wisdom, and truth, and goodness, and blessedness, and eternity, and everything that is truly good.     St. Anselm

231—Daily Work

      O God, Who movest in love unceasing, and dost give to each man his appointed work: help us steadfastly, and as in Thy sight, to fulfill the duties of our calling; that when our Lord shall take account of us, we may be found faithful in that which is least, and enter into His eternal joy.

232—Strength And Tasks

      O Lord, I do not pray for tasks equal to my strength: I ask for strength equal to my tasks.     Phillips Brooks

24th Week-Day Evening

233—Bible-Reading

      Blessed Lord, by Whose providence all Holy Scriptures were written and preserved for our instruction: give us grace to study them each day with patience and love; strengthen our souls with the fullness of their divine teaching; keep from us all pride and irreverence; guide us in the deep things of Thy heavenly wisdom; and, of Thy great mercy, lead us by Thy Word into everlasting life.     Bishop Westcott

234—The Inward Christ

      O merciful Jesus, Who when Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb; vouchsafe evermore to dwell in the hearts of us Thy servants; inspire us with Thy purity; strengthen us with Thy might; make us perfect in Thy ways; guide us into Thy truth; and unite us to Thyself and to Thy whole Church by Thy holy mysteries; that we may conquer every adverse power, and be wholly devoted to Thy service and conformed to Thy will; to the glory of God the Father.     From the French

235—Purity

      Almighty God, Who hast made our bodies to be temples of Thy Spirit: reveal, we beseech Thee, in Thy servants Thy manifold gifts of grace; that living in Thy love and fear, they may be purified from the corruption that is in the world, and attain to dwell in the blessed fellowship of Thine eternal Kingdom.     Unknown

236—ENLIGHTENMENT

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who knowest the Father, even as Thou art known of Him, lead us onward evermore in the knowledge of Thee Who art the truth, till at last we see Thy face, and know Thee as we are known of Thee; Who with ;he Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God for ever and ever.     J. R. Illingworth

25th Week-Day Morning

237—Morning

      Give ear, O Lord, in this morning hour to the prayers of Thy servants, and mercifully uncover and heal the secret evils of our hearts; that no dark desires may possess us whom Thou hast enlightened with Thy heavenly grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

238—Invocation

      Help us, O Holy Spirit, Giver of life and love, to be always so mindful of the love from whence we came, that we may learn more and more the love to which we go: and in this love abounding, daily abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     E. Milner-White

239—Service

      My God, my heart is set on serving Thee.  To serve the world is hard, unsatisfying, but to serve Thee is perfect joy and liberty.  My God, my heart is set on serving Thee.  Here would I consecrate to Thee and to Thy cause each faculty and power which Thou hast given me: of intellect or learning, of heart or sympathy, of spiritual fervour, of influence or guidance: all come from Thee, all shall revert to Thee: I only have the use of them and that I give to Thee.  Wake all and use it for Thy holy purposes, use me to glorify Thee.     Bishop Frere

240—All Sorts And Conditions

      God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, and to all mankind, peace and concord; and to us, and all His servants, life everlasting.     Elizabethan

241—O Lord, forgive what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be.     Unknown

25th Week-Day Evening

242—Bible-Reading

      O Lord, Who hast given us Thy holy Word that it  may be to us a light upon the path of life: grant us after the example of Thy saints so to search the Scriptures that we may daily increase in the knowledge of Thy truth, and find in them the light that shineth more and more unto Thy perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

243—Consuming Love

      O God our Judge and Saviour, set before us the vision of Thy purity, and let us see our sins in the light of Thy countenance; pierce our self-contentment with the shafts of Thy burning love, and let love consume in us all that hinders us from perfect service of Thy cause; for as Thy holiness is our judgement, so are Thy wounds our salvation.     William Temple

244—Thanksgiving

      Most worthy art Thou, O good and gracious God, of all praise, even for Thine own sake which exceedeth all things in holiness.  By Thee only we are hallowed and made holy.  As our duty continually bids us, we praise Thee for our glorious redemption, purchased for us in Thy dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  Give us therefore the Holy Spirit to govern us.  And grant that all things that breathe with life may praise Thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.     The Iona Books

245—Enlargement

      We beseech Thee, O Lord, to set our feet in a large place, where hearts are made pure by faith in Thee, and faces are turned to the light; where all are one in Thee, and no narrow walls between man and man destroy the unity Thou hast made in the Spirit of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

26th Week-Day Morning

246—Dedication

      Lord, Who hast given all for us: help us to give all for Thee.     G. W. Briggs

247—Against Apathy

      O God, Who art man’s sovereign good, and dost seek the love of Thy children: deliver us from sloth in Thy work and coldness in Thy cause; rekindle in us love by our looking unto Thee, and by our waiting upon Thee renew our strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

248—Thanksgiving

      O Eternal and most blessed Saviour Jesus, Thou  art the bright morning star, and the sun of righteousness; Thou dost enlighten our eyes with Thy beauties, and our hearts with Thy comfort and with the joys of God; Thou art the fountain of health and life, of peace and truth, of rest and holiness; Thou givest to them that want, Thou comfortest them that suffer, Thou forgivest them that repent, and hearest the prayers of all them that call upon Thee; we adore Thee and praise Thy glories and rejoice in Thy salvation, and give Thee thanks for Thy blessing and defending us, from all the evils which we have deserved every day, and from all the violences and snares by which the enemy of mankind would have hurt us, or destroyed us, unless he had been restrained by Thy eternal goodness and Thy Almighty power.  Blessed be God.     Jeremy Taylor

249     For Grace

      May the grace of the Lord Jesus sanctify us and keep us from all evil; may He drive far from us all hurtful things, and purify both our souls and bodies; may He bind us to Himself by the bond of love, and may His peace abound in our hearts.     Gregorian Sacramentary

26th Week-Day Evening

250—The Cross

      Fence me about, O Lord, with the power of Thine honourable and life-giving Cross, and preserve me from every evil.     Eastern Orthodox

251—Unselfishness

      Grant us grace, O Father, not to pass by suffering or joy without eyes to see; give us understanding and sympathy, and guard us from selfishness, that we may enter into the joys and sufferings of others; use us to gladden and strengthen those who are weak and suffering; that by our lives we may help others to believe and serve Thee, and shed forth Thy light which is the light of life.     H. R. L. Sheppard

252—Thanksgiving

      O Thou light of my heart, Thou bread of my inmost soul, thanks be to Thee, my joy and my glory, my confidence and my God, thanks be to Thee for Thy gifts.  Preserve them to me, for so wilt Thou preserve me myself, and those things shall be enlarged and perfected which Thou hast given me, and I myself shall be with Thee, Who didst give me being. ... O Lord, my God, I lay my whole heart upon the altar of Thy praise, a whole burnt-offering of praise I offer to Thee.  Let the flame of Thy love set afire my whole heart; let nothing in me be left to myself, nothing wherein I may look to myself; but may I burn wholly before Thee.  Lord, let Thy fire consume all that is mine: let all be Thine.     St. Augustine

253—Before Any Undertaking

      O Lord Jesus Christ, only-begotten Son of Thine eternal Father, Thou hast said that without Thee we can do nothing.  O Lord, I embrace with faith and with my whole heart and soul what Thou hast said.  Help me, a sinner, to finish the work which I now undertake for Thee; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.     Eastern Orthodox

27th Week-Day Morning

254—Invocation

      Lord my God, call me, that I may come to Thee: fix me, that I may not leave Thee.     St. Augustine

255—Dedication

      Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to Thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly Thine, utterly dedicated unto Thee; and then use us, we pray Thee, as Thou wilt, but always to Thy glory and the welfare of Thy people, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.     William Temple

256—Love Of God

      O God, which dost infuse the gifts of charity into the hearts of the faithful through the grace of Thy Holy Ghost: grant unto Thy servants, both men and women, for whom we pray unto Thy mercy, health of body and soul, that they may love Thee with all their power and perform with all love the things that may be pleasing to Thee; by Christ our Lord.     The Primer

257—Thanksgiving

      Accept, O Lord God, our Father, the sacrifices of our thanksgiving; this, of praise, for Thy great mercies already afforded to us; and this, of prayer, for the continuance and enlargement of them; this, of penitence, for such only recompense as our sinful can endeavour; and this, of the love of our hearts, as the only gift Thou dost ask or desire; and all these, through the all-holy and atoning sacrifice Of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Saviour.     Derived from John Donne

258—Almighty and most merciful God, grant, we beseech Thee, that by the indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for Thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     American Prayer Book

27th Week-Day Evening

259—Thanksgiving

      Thine own praise, O my God, Thou Thyself art; nor canst Thou worthily be praised by any other than Thyself; for of all things Thou art the maker and ruler; and from Thee do all things come, Whose excellence and Whose works declare the glory of Thy Name.  Ever therefore shouldst Thou be praised and blessed by every creature.  May then, O my God, Thine own incomprehensible Essence, Thine own unspeakable almightiness, Thine own unsearchable wisdom, Thine own unutterable sweetness, Thine own boundless tenderness, praise Thee!  Praise Thee Thy supreme goodness, Thy surpassing mercy, Thy eternal power also, and Thy transcendent majesty!  Praise Thee Thy infallible truth, Thy unchangeable equity, Thy inextinguishable light, Thy knowledge from which no secrets are hid, Thy own unapproachable Substance!  Praise Thee Thy unerring justice, Thy all-wise providence, Thy most calm governance, and Thy unconquerable power!  Praise Thee Thy infinite dignity, Thy supreme loving-kindness, Thy all-surpassing sweetness, Thy peerless beauty, and Thy all-excelling charity!  May every name that can be used of Thee, and every word that can be spoken of Thee, praise Thee and magnify Thee for ever.     Thomas à Kempis

260—Against Coldness Of Heart

      O My sweet Saviour Christ, which in Thine undeserved love towards mankind so kindly wouldst suffer the painful death of the Cross, suffer not me to be cold nor lukewarm in love again towards Thee.     Sir Thomas More

261—Purity

      Lord Jesu Christ, Whose property is ever to be merciful, which art alway pure and clean without spot of sin: grant us the grace to follow Thee in mercifulness toward our neighbours, and always to bear a pure heart and a clean conscience toward Thee, that we may after this life see Thee in Thy everlasting glory: which livest and reignest world without end.     The Primer

28th Week-Day Morning

262—Lord, let me not live to be useless.     John Wesley

263—Invocation

      O Holy Spirit the Comforter, Spirit of Jesus, come Thou upon us and dwell within us.  Not of ourselves, but of Thee is our life.  Teach us that we may know; cleanse us and purify us within; strengthen us to persevere, lest we fall away from Thee.  Come into us, Thou Who art already there, that by Thine arrival again Thou mayest enter into Thy possession anew.  And out of worldly death in which we languish create in us the life that shall make us as Thou art, through inward unity in which we are one with Thee.  Come, then, eternal Spirit, Who with the Father and the Son art one God, and abide with us for ever.     Frederick B. Macnutt

264—Thanksgiving

      For these Thy most bounteous gifts, and for all other Thy benefits which Thou daily givest unto us of Thy great mercy both for our body and soul; we most humbly thank Thee, most gentle and merciful Father, beseeching Thee that Thou wilt give us grace through Thy Holy Spirit not to be unthankful, but to walk worthy of this Thy kindness, and so to behave ourselves all our lifetime in this world according to Thy holy will, that at the last day we may be found in the number of them to whom Thy only-begotten Son shall say: Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world; through the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Thomas Becon

265—Forbearance

      Lord, give me that grace that I may hold me still by Thee, and abide patiently upon Thee; that I may not grieve myself at the man whose way doth prosper, nor against him that doth after evil counsels; that I may leave off from wrath and let go displeasure, lest I fret myself, and be moved to do evil.     Archbishop Laud

28th Week-Day Evening

266—God Within

      God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at mine end, and at my departing.     Sarum Primer

267—Bible-Reading

      Almighty and most merciful God, Who hast given the Bible to be the revelation of Thy great love to man, and of Thy power and will to save him: grant that our study of it may not be made in vain by the callousness or carelessness of our hearts, but that by it we may be confirmed in penitence, lifted to hope, made strong for service, and, above all; filled with the true knowledge of Thee and of Thy Son Jesus Christ.     George Adam Smith

268—Seeking God

      Eternal God, Who hast been the hope and joy of generations, and in all ages hast given men the power to seek Thee and in seeking to find Thee: grant me I pray Thee, a clearer vision of Thy truth, a greater faith in Thy power, and a more confident assurance of Thy love.  If I cannot find Thee, let me search my heart and know whether it is not rather I that am blind – than Thou Who art obscure, and I who am fleeing from Thee rather than Thou from me; and let me confess these my sins before Thee, and seek Thy pardon in Jesus Christ my Lord.     John Baillie

269—Gloria

      Glory be to Thee, O God, the Father, the Maker of the world: Glory be to Thee, O God, the Son, the Redeemer of mankind: Glory be to Thee, O God, the Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier of Thy people.     Bishop Westcott

29th Week-Day Morning

270—Morning

      O Good Christ, our most gracious Redeemer, grant that as Thou dost mercifully raise up this my body, even so I beseech Thee, raise up my mind and heart to the true knowledge and love of Thee, that my conversation may be in heaven, where Thou art; to the glory of Thy Name.     Henry Bull

271—Service

      Grant, O Lord, that this mind may be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who left the heaven of Thy holiness and of Thy glory that He might take upon Him our sins and our sorrows, and seek and save that which was lost.  Stir the hearts of Thy people that they may multiply their labours in the cause of charity and love, that they may minister to the wants of others, and by their good works lead many to glorify our Father Who is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     C. J. Vaughan

272—Thanksgiving

      O God, we thank Thee for Thy great mercies: for preserving us, for our food and raiment, for our interests and comforts, for all that makes this present life to be desired, but above all, for our place in Thy family by redemption, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son.  Praise be to Thee for the Incarnation of Jesus: praise be to Thee for the obedience of Jesus: praise be to Thee for the Blood of Jesus; for He is ours, and He is Thine, and we are His.  He is our sacrifice, and Thy satisfaction; our glorious head, and Thine only-begotten Son; our intercessor, and Thy beloved; our merciful High Priest, and Thine anointed King.     Henry Alford

273—Unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever.  Amen.     Ephesians 3:20–21

29th Week-Day Evening

274—Evening

      Visit, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy; let Thy holy angels dwell in it to preserve us in peace, and may Thy blessing be upon us evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Office of Compline

275—Dedication

      O Emmanuel, O Wisdom, I give myself to Thee, I trust Thee wholly.  Thou art wiser than I, more loving to me than I myself: deign to fulfill Thy high purposes in me, whatever they be.  Work in and through me: I am born to serve Thee, to be Thine, to be Thine instrument.  Let me be Thy blind instrument.  I ask not to see, I ask not to know, I ask simply to be used.     Cardinal Newman

276—Thanksgiving

      We give Thee humble and hearty thanks, O most merciful Father, for all Thy goodness and lovingkindness to us and to all men, for the blessings of this life and for the promise of everlasting happiness.  And as we are bound, we specially thank Thee for the mercies which we have received; for health and strength, for outward prosperity and wellbeing, for the manifold enjoyments of our daily life, and the hope of the future; for the opportunities of learning, for the knowledge of Thy will, for the means of serving Thee in Thy holy Church, for the love which Thou hast revealed to us in Thy Son, our Saviour; for every blessing of soul and body, we thank Thee, O God.  Add this, O Lord, to Thy other mercies that we may praise Thee not with our lips only, but with our lives, always looking to Thee as the author and giver of all good things; for Jesus Christ’s sake.     Bishop Westcott

277—Save us, O Lord, waking; guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.     Office of Compline

30th Week-Day Morning

278—O Lord Jesu Christ, be Thou the beginning and the end of all this day; the pattern Whom I am to copy, the Redeemer in Whom is my strength, the Master Whom I am to serve, the Friend to Whom I may look for comfort and sympathy.  May I fix my eyes on Thee as my help, my aim, the centre of my being, my everlasting friend.  O Thou Who hast so looked on me that I may see Thee, set Thine eyes upon me, I beseech Thee.  Steady my unsteadfastness, unite me to Thyself, and guide me in whatever path Thou seest fit to lead me, till of Thine infinite mercy Thou wilt bring me to Thine eternal presence in Paradise.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

279–Adoration

      We praise Thy divine power and glory, O God: the Father, Who createst all things from everlasting to everlasting; the Son, our Saviour and Redeemer; the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter.  We praise Thee, that Thou judgest the earth in righteousness: we praise Thee, that Thou waitest for us with Thine eternity: we praise Thee, Who wilt bring all things to an end: we praise Thee, Who wilt finish what Thou hast begun.  Help us, Thy children, O Lord, and enlarge our hope.  We travel towards Thee to meet Thee, and we wait for Thy day.  Thy kingdom come.     From the German

280—Service

      Almighty God, Who hast enabled Thy faithful soldiers and servants to play the man, to endure hardness, to love mercy, to fight the good fight of faith, and to refuse no service in the Name of Christ: grant unto us whom Thou hast called to serve under our Saviour’s banner a single heart to spend and to be spent for Thee and for those whom He has loved even unto death; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

30th Week-Day Evening

281—Evening

      Look down, O Lord, from Thy heavenly throne, and illuminate the darkness of this night with Thy celestial brightness, and from the sons of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Office of Compline

282—Bible-Reading

      O gracious God and most merciful Father, which hast vouchsafed us the rich and precious jewel of Thy holy Word: assist us with Thy Spirit that it may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to Thine own image, to build us up, and edify us into the perfect building of Thy Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues.  Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake.     Geneva Bible

283—Dedication

      Into Thy hands, Almighty Father, Who dost will peace and purpose loving-kindness, we commend our spirits: our minds to know Thee, our hearts to love Thee, our wills to serve Thee, for we are Thine.  Into Thy hands, Incarnate Saviour, Who hast taught us that Thou art the way, the truth, and the life, do Thou receive us and draw us after Thee, that we may follow Thy steps. enlighten and guide us, lest the night of sin and error overwhelm us; abide in us and quicken us by the power of Thine indwelling.  Into Thy hands, O Lord the Spirit, Who createst good and destroyest evil, do Thou take us and fashion us after Thine image; let Thy comfort strengthen, Thy grace renew, and Thy fire cleanse us.  Soul and body, in life and in death, in this world of shadows and in Thy changeless world of light eternal, now and for ever, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into Thy hands.     Frederick B. Macnutt

284—Invocation

      The God of peace and love vouchsafe alway to dwell with us: and Thou, Lord, have mercy upon us.     The Primer

31st Week-Day Morning

285—Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and I all who are dear to us this day.  Be with us in our going out and in our coming in.  Strengthen us for the work which Thou hast given us to do.  And grant that, filled with Thy Holy Spirit, we may walk worthy of our high calling, and cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop F. T. Woods

286—Service

      O Lord, our heavenly Father, Whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto but to minister: we beseech Thee to bless all those who follow in His steps and give themselves to the service of their fellowmen.  Endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, to strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall; that being inspired by Thy love, they may worthily minister in Thy Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of Him Who laid down His life for us, the same Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.     American Prayer Book

287—Veni, Creator

      Come, Holy Spirit of God, inspire the hearts of them that believe in Thee, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.     The Primer

288—Adoration

      Holy art Thou, O God the Father, Who hast made of one blood all nations of the earth.  Holy art Thou, O God the Son, Who hast redeemed all mankind from the power of darkness.  Holy art Thou, O God the Holy Spirit, giver of life and light, by Whom the whole Church is governed and sanctified.  Holy art Thou, O God the eternal and adorable Trinity, for Whose glory man and all created things are, and were created.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

31st Week-Day Evening

289—Pure Intention

      Grant me, gracious Lord, a pure intention of my heart, and a steadfast regard to Thy glory in all my actions.  Possess my mind continually with Thy presence, and ravish it with Thy love, that my only delight may be, to be embraced in the arms of Thy protection.     Bishop Cosin

290—Knowledge, Love, Obedience

      O God our Father, Who hast made us in Thine own image, with a mind to understand Thy works, a heart to love Thee, and a will to serve Thee: increase in us that knowledge, love, obedience, that we may grow daily in Thy likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     G. W. Briggs

291—Thanksgiving

      It is meet and right, holy and becoming, and helpful to  our souls, to worship Thee Who art the I AM, Lord God, Father Almighty; to hymn Thee, to give thanks to Thee, openly to confess Thee, by night and by day, with mouth unceasing, and lips that are never silent, and unresting heart: Thee Who hast made the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is therein; Thee Who didst make man after Thine own image and likeness, and freely gayest him the delights of paradise, and didst not reject nor forsake him when he transgressed, O good God; but Thou didst recall him by the law and educate him by the prophets, and reform and renew him by Thine aweful, and life-giving, and heavenly mystery.  All these things Thou didst by Thy wisdom, the true light, Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by Whom we render thanks to Thee with Him and the Holy Spirit ... from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, from the north and from the south, because Thy Name is great among all peoples, and in every place incense and a pure sacrifice are offered to Thy holy Name.     Liturgy of St. Mark

Part  2 – Prayers For Public (Or Private) Use On Divers Occasions

Section  1: Opening And Closing Prayers

292—Fire Of Love

      Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Whose Son Jesus Christ came to cast fire upon the earth: grant that by the prayers of Thy faithful people a fire of burning zeal may be kindled, and pass from heart to heart, till all our hardness is melted in the warmth of Thy love; through Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.     G. C. Binyon

293—Worship

      High and holy Lord God Almighty, Who art the fountain of all true thoughts and right resolves, be pleased to still the tumult of earthly cares within our breasts, and fill our minds with deep devotion; that for a little while we may rise above the jar and fret of daily life, and join with grateful hearts in that pure worship, which from spirits higher and holier than ours for ever ascends before Thy throne, giving praise and thanks and honour unto the Lamb that was slain, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory both now and ever.     W. Gray Blmslie

294—Prayer And Life

      O God, Who art Spirit, and wiliest to be worshipped in spirit and in truth: grant to us that, loving Thee in all things and above all things, we may please Thee by our prayers and by our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     William Bright

295—Prayer And Service   

      Remember, O Lord, what Thou hast wrought in us, and not what we deserve; and, as Thou hast called us to Thy service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     J. Armitage Robinson

296—The Spirit Of Prayer

      Holy Jesus, give me the gift and spirit of prayer; and do Thou by Thy gracious intercession supply my ignorances, and passionate desires, and imperfect choices; procuring and giving to me such returns of favour which may support my needs, and serve the ends of religion and the Spirit, which Thy wisdom chooses, and Thy passion bath purchased, and Thy grace loves to bestow upon all Thy saints and servants.     Jeremy Taylor

297—Before Prayer

      O God, the glory of Thy saints, Who being above  all, and through all, and in all, dost yet accept the sacrifice of the contrite and the incense of their prayers: grant that we may be hallowed in mind, fervent in spirit, and chaste in body; and that mortifying within us all ungodly and worldly lusts, we may offer to Thee the pure sacrifice of hearts uplifted in Thy praise and lives devoted to Thy service.     Adapted from Gothic

298—Before Prayer

      God, our Father, Who dost call us to prayer, and  wilt grant our petitions, if only, when we pray, we purpose in all things amendment of life: hear us, as we cry to Thee in our darkness, and stretch forth Thy right hand to help and deliver us; hold out Thy light before us; recall us from our wanderings; guide us and restore us to ourselves and to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     After St. Augustine

299—Before Prayer

      Blessed Jesu, lifting up holy hands perpetually for all mankind: breathe by Thy Spirit such love into the prayers we offer, that they may be taken into Thine, and prevail with Thine; to the glory of Thy holy Name.     E. Milner-White

300—Before Prayer

      Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers, and  by Thy gracious visitation lighten the darkness of our hearts; by our Lord Jesus Christ.     1549 Prayer Book

301—Before Prayer

      O Lord, my good God and Father, blessed be Thy Name for ever: dispose my heart, open my lips, and guide me by Thy Holy Spirit to a truer acknowledgement of all my sins, that my prayer may be heard of Thee, in the Name of Thy Son Jesus Christ.  So be it.     Elizabethan

302—Before Prayer

      O Lord our God, Who hast given Thy peace to men, and didst send down the gift of Thy most Holy Spirit upon Thy disciples and apostles, and by Thy power didst open their lips with tongues of fire: open our sinful lips, and teach us how and for what we should pray; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Henry Vaughan

303—Before Prayer

      O Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, and from Whom no secrets are hid, Who hast declared that all such as shall draw nigh to Thee with their lips, when their hearts are far from Thee, are an abomination unto Thee; cleanse, we beseech Thee, the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that no wandering, vain, nor idle thoughts may put out of our minds that reverence and Godly fear that becomes all those who come in Thy presence.     Dean Swift

304—Before Prayer

      Incline Thine ear, O Lord, to our prayers, and  enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation: that in Thy light we may see light and walk in Thy truth without stumbling, and at last attain to the light of life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Adapted from Sarum

305—Before Prayer

      O Lord, take away from us all coldness, all wanderings of the thoughts, and fix our souls upon Thee and Thy love, O merciful Lord and Saviour, in this our hour of prayer.     Archbishop Benson

306—Before Prayer

      O Lord, open Thou our lips, that we may bless Thy holy Name; cleanse our hearts from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten our understandings, enkindle our affections, that we may worthily and devoutly offer up our prayers and praises to Thee, and so be meet to be heard in the presence of Thy divine Majesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

307—Before Prayer

      Give me, O God, the spirit of true devotion, such as may give life to all my prayers, so that they may find acceptance in Thy sight.  By Thy Almighty power, O King of heaven, for the glory of Thy Name, and for the love of a Father, grant me all those blessings which Thy Son taught us to pray for.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

308—Before Prayer

      Give me grace, O my Father, to be utterly ashamed of my own reluctance.  Rouse me from sloth and coldness, and make me desire Thee with my whole heart.  Teach me to love meditation, sacred reading, and prayer.  Teach me to love that which must engage my mind for all eternity.     Cardinal Newman

309—Before Prayer

      Almighty God, Who art ready at all times to hear the prayers of those who call upon Thee, open our hearts and lips to bless and glorify Thy Name.     Uppingham Prayer

310—Before Prayer

      Look graciously upon us, O Holy Spirit, and give us our hallowing thoughts that pass into prayer, prayers that pass into love, and love that passeth into life with Thee for ever.     E. Milner-White

311—Submission in Prayer

      Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of Thee; Thou only knowest what I need; Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself.  Father, give Thy child what he himself knows not how to ask; I presume not to ask either for crosses or consolations; in simplicity I present myself before Thee and open my heart to Thee.  Regard Thou the needs which I myself know not: behold and do according to Thy tender mercy.  Smite or heal: depress me or raise me up; I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them.  I keep silence, and offer myself as a sacrifice to Thee: I yield myself to Thee, and I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will.  Teach me to pray: pray Thyself in me; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Fénelon

312—After Prayer

      Almighty Father, well-spring of life to all things that have being, from amid the unwearied praises of Cherubin and Seraphin, who stand about Thy throne of light which no man can approach unto: give ear, we humbly beseech Thee, to the supplications of Thy people who put their sure trust in Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     The Book of Deer

313—After Prayer

      O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, incline Thine ear, we beseech Thee, to these our prayers which we offer in His Name; and grant that Thy will may be done through us on earth as it is in heaven; through the same Christ our Lord.     Unknown

314—After Prayer

      Lord, I humbly beseech Thee to hear and accept my prayers for myself, and for Thy people which call upon Thee; and grant that we may perfectly know what things we ought to do and also have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same.     Archbishop Laud

315—After Prayer

      O gracious Lord, since Thou hast promised that, where two or three are gathered together in Thy Name, Thou wilt be in the midst of them to grant their request, grant to us who are met in Thy Name ‘that those requests, which in the utmost sincerity and earnestness of our hearts we have now made (on behalf of this Thy distressed servant, and of ourselves), may effectually be answered; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.     Dean Swift

316—After Prayer

      Good God, say amen to my prayers, if it be Thy gracious will; but if in anything I have asked or done amiss, pardon mine infirmities, and answer my necessities, for Jesus and His mercies’ sake.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

Section  2: General Confession

317—Confession

      We confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through our fault, our own fault, our own most grievous fault.  Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.               Office of Compline

318—ALMIGHTY Father, Lord of heaven and earth: we confess that we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us after Thy great goodness; according to the multitude of Thy mercies, do away our offences: wash us throughly from our wickedness, and cleanse us from our sins; for Jesus Christ’s sake.     Canadian Prayer Book

319—Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I confess to Thee all the hidden and open sins of my heart and mind, which I have committed unto this day.  Wherefore I beg of Thee, the merciful and righteous Judge, forgiveness and grace to sin no more.     Eastern Orthodox

320—O Thou Who art the life of souls, having life in Thyself: O life of my soul, it is a good thing to make my confession unto Thee, O God of my heart, and say, Have mercy upon me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee; and let me never abuse Thy mercy and take it for a license to sin, but remember Thy words, Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee.  For Who art Thou, O our God, but the very well-spring of righteousness, Who renderest to every man according to his works; and a broken and contrite heart Thou wilt not despise.     St. Augustine

321—O Lrd my God, Thou judge of my conscience, before Thee is my heart and my remembrance: set my errors before my face, that I may see and hate them.  Behold, Thou lovest the truth and he that doeth truth cometh to the light; and I would do this in my heart as I confess before Thee.  What could be hidden in me from Thee, O Lord, to Whose eyes the abyss of man’s conscience is uncovered?  For I would hide Thee from me, and not me from Thee.  To Thee, therefore, O Lord, I open whatever I am, and I confess unto Thee, not with words of the flesh but with the words of my soul, and the cry of my thought, which Thine ear knoweth.  O Lord, have mercy upon me according to Thy great mercy, for Thine own Name’s sake, and forsake not in any way what Thou hast begun, but make perfect what is imperfect in me.  Let me know Thee, O Lord, Who knowest me: let me know Thee as I am known.  O power of my soul, enter into it and fit it for Thee, that without spot or wrinkle thou mayest have it and hold it.     St. Augustine

322—O Lover of men, very tenderly pitiful, Father of mercies, rich in mercy toward all that call upon Thee: I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, neither am I worthy to be called a son, neither am I worthy to be made a hired servant, no, not the lowest of them all.  But I repent, alas, I repent: help Thou mine impenitence: be merciful to me a sinner.     Lancelot Andrewes

323—Almighty God, and most merciful Father, all merciful, mercy itself; I have erred willingly and strayed willingly, nay run from Thy ways, more like an untamed heifer than a lost or wandering sheep.  I have followed too much, even altogether, the absurd devices and brutish desires of my own heart, I have offended against, nay been offended at, Thy holy, most holy, laws.  I have left undone, not done at all, those things which I ought to have done.  And I have done, done nothing else, but those things which I ought not to have done.  And there is no health, no hope of health in me.  But Thou, Lord, have mercy upon me miserable, most miserable sinner, the greatest sinner, and most unthankful for so great grace.  Spare me, and all them that confess their faults.  Restore me, and all them that be penitent, that desire to be penitent, that wish they were, would be glad if they were; that fear that they are not enough, and are sorry they are not more.     Archbishop Laud

324—We confess unto Thee, O heavenly Father, as Thy children and Thy people, our hardness, and indifference, and impenitence; our grievous failures in Thy faith and in pure and holy living; our trust in riches, and our misuse of them, our confidence in self, whereby we daily multiply our own temptations.  We confess our timorousness as Thy Church and witness before the world, and the sin and bitterness that every man knoweth in his own heart.  Give us all contrition and meekness of heart, O Father; grace to amend our sinful life, and the holy comfort of Thy Spirit to overcome and heal all our evils; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Archbishop Benson

325—Hear, O Lord, and have mercy, O Almighty God, heavenly Father, Who forgivest iniquity and transgression; O Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sin of the world; O Holy Spirit, Who helpest the infirmities of those that pray: receive my humble confession.  Give me true repentance and sincere faith in Thee.  Do away mine offences, and give me grace to live hereafter more worthily of our Christian calling, for the glory of Thy great Name.     After Bishop Westcott

326—Almighty God, long-suffering and of great goodness: we confess to Thee, we confess with our whole heart: our neglect and forgetfulness of Thy commandments: our wrong-doing, speaking, and thinking: the hurts we have done to others: and the good we have left undone: O God, forgive Thy people that have sinned against Thee: and raise us to newness of life.     E. Milner-White

327—Almighty and most merciful God, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed; that we have not loved Thee with all our heart and soul, with all our mind and strength; and that we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves.  We beseech Thee, O God, to be forgiving to what we have been, to help us to amend what we are, and of Thy mercy to direct what we shall be, so that the love of goodness may ever be first in our hearts, that we may always walk in Thy commandments and ordinances blameless, and follow unto our life’s end in the footsteps of Jesus Christ our Lord.     John Hunter

328—O God our Father, from Whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named, graciously behold this Thy family.  Thou art ever merciful and makest Thy sun to rise on the just and on the unjust: but we have misused Thy gifts, marred Thy work, and robbed one another of our daily bread.  Help us to see and feel our share in the guilt of the world, and grant us Thy grace to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Mrs. Reinhold Niebuhr

329—O God, most good, Father of mercies, be pleased to have pity upon us, and pardon our sins for the love of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Vouchsafe unto us also, and increase continually within us, the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit; that we may ever more readily acknowledge our misdoings, and being deeply affected by them, renounce them with our whole heart, and bring forth fruits of righteousness and holiness acceptable to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     French Reformed Liturgy

330—O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and deplore our offences.  We condemn ourselves and our evil ways, with true penitence entreating that Thy grace may relieve our distress.  Be pleased to have compassion upon us, O most gracious God, Father of all mercies, for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  And as Thou dost remove our guilt and our pollution, grant us the daily increase of the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that acknowledging from our inmost hearts our own unrighteousness, we may be touched with sorrow that shall work true repentance, and that, mortifying all sins within us, Thy Spirit may produce the fruits of holiness and righteousness well-pleasing in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Liturgy of Geneva

331—Lord Jesus, merciful Saviour, Who art touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and hast been at all points tempted even as we are, yet without sin: we have done amiss and dealt wickedly; we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed.  Look with compassion upon our weakness, cleanse us from our sins, forgive us both what we have done and left undone; and give us grace to amend our lives, to Thy glory Who hast called us out of darkness into Thy light and love; we ask it for Thy sake and in Thy Name.

332—Almighty God, rich in mercy and plenteous in  loving-kindness, Who searchest us out and knowest altogether the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts: we humbly acknowledge our sins and wickedness, and confess that we have done evil in Thy sight.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, we beseech Thee; cast us not away from Thy presence, and do away our offences; cleanse us from the stains of our transgressions; break the power of evil within us; and give us grace to put away all hurtful things; that, being freed from the bondage of our sins, we may bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and serve Thee faithfully to our lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

333—O God, most gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, Who thinkest upon us for good and art ready to pardon those who truly repent: forgive, we beseech Thee, us Thy servants who so often and so grievously sin against Thee, in thought, word, and deed; receive us who do truly acknowledge and confess our misdoings; renew within us the peace of Thy salvation; and so make haste to help and deliver us, that we may henceforth walk before Thee with a perfect heart, and, this life ended, may serve Thee with Thy saints for ever, where Thou reignest in Thy love and glory everlasting; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

334—Penitence

      Lover of mankind, since Thou desirest to dwell within me, I make bold to draw near.  Thou dost bid me open the door which Thou Thyself hast made, that when Thou comest, as Thou wilt, Thou canst bring light into my darkened mind.  Thou didst not reject the harlot when she came to Thee in tears, neither refuse the publican when he repented, nor die robber when he sought entrance into Thy kingdom, nor turn away the persecutor when he repented; but Thou didst number all who came to Thee in penitence among Thy friends, for Thou alone art blessed, now and for ever.     St. Chrysostom

335—Penitence

      O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.  Give rather to me Thy servant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love.  Grant me, my Lord and King, to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed for ever and ever.     Ephraem of Edessa

336—Penitence

      Lord, I bring Thee my sorrows and miseries and sins, beseeching Thee to clothe me with some portion of Thy holiness, and to give me of Thy joy.  I bring Thee of my emptiness; do Thou give me of Thy fullness.  I bring Thee a broken heart; do Thou remake it, and bind it up, that it may be remade, as a vessel of Thy glory to contain Thee.  Feed me with Thy Body, which Thou didst take that it might be broken for us.  Wash me with Thy Blood, which Thou sheddest for the remission of our sins.  Gladden me with the new wine of Thy Spirit, so that I may go forth out of myself new-born as a little child in Thy Childhood: dying in Thy death: living by Thy life in me, to rise again through Thy Resurrection, Who art our Resurrection and our Life, on that glorious morrow which setteth not.  To which do Thou of Thy mercy bring me, a sinner, Thou, our only Saviour and Redeemer.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

337—Fruits of Penitence

      O merciful God, make me to lift up my heart oft-times to Thee, and, when I fall, make me to think on Thee, and be sorry with a steadfast purpose of amendment.  My God, make me humble without feigning, merry without lightness, sad without mistrust, sober without dullness, true without doubleness, fearing Thee without desperation, trusting in Thee without presumption, telling my neighbour’s faults without dissimulation, teaching them with words and examples without mockings, obedient without arguing, patient without grudging, and pure without corruption.     St. Thomas Aquinas

338—Repentance

      O merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity, Who sparest when we deserve punishment, and in Thy wrath thinkest upon mercy: make me earnestly to repent, and heartily to be sorry for all my misdoings; make the remembrance so burdensome and painful, that I may flee to Thee with a troubled spirit and a contrite heart; and, O merciful Lord, visit, comfort, and relieve me; cast me not out from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, but excite in me true repentance; give me in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and confidence in Thy mercy, and in the world to come life everlasting, for the sake of our Lord and Saviour, Thy Son Jesus Christ.     Dr. Johnson

339—Repentance

      Almighty God, Who by Thy grace and providence hast brought my great and crying sins to light, I most humbly beseech Thee to continue Thy grace and mercy to me, that my conscience being now awakened, I may call my ways to remembrance, and confess, and bewail and abhor all the sins of my life past.  And, O merciful God, give me true repentance for them, even that repentance to which Thou hast promised mercy and pardon, that even the consequences of my wrongdoing may bring a blessing to me, and that in all I may find mercy at Thy hands, through the merits and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

340—Amendment of Life

      Grant, I beseech Thee, merciful Lord, that the designs of a new and better life, which by Thy grace I have now formed, may not pass away without effect. Incite and enable me, by Thy Holy Spirit, to improve the time which Thou shalt grant me; to avoid all evil thoughts, words, and actions; and to do all the duties which Thou shalt set before me.  Hear my prayer, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ.     Dr. Johnson

341—Pardon

      May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto me pardon and remission of all my sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

342—Pardon

      Lord, for Thy tender mercies’ sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our lives; to decline from sin and incline to virtue, that we may walk with a perfect heart before Thee, now and evermore.     John Lydney

343—Forgiveness

      We make our prayer unto Thee, O God of our life.  So long as we live will we magnify Thee, and lift up our hands in Thy Name.  Let our prayer be set forth in Thy sight as the incense.  Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, the God of our fathers, Who hast created the changes of day and night.  Deal not with us after our sins, neither reward us after our iniquities: and look mercifully upon our infirmities for the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Lancelot Andrewes

344—Forgiveness

      Lord, of Thy great goodness I beseech Thee give me true repentance, and forgive me all my sins, negligences, and ignorances, and endue me with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may amend my life according to Thy holy Word.     Archbishop Laud

345—Forgiveness

      Forgive me my sins, O Lord; the sins of my present the sins of my past, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, the sins which I have done to please myself and the sins which I have done to please others.  Forgive me my casual sins and my deliberate sins, and those which I have laboured so to hide that I have hidden them even from myself.  Forgive me them, O Lord, forgive them all; for Jesus Christ’s sake.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

346—Forgiveness

      O Lord our God, our Creator and our Judge, provoked every day, yet strong and patient: forgive, we beseech Thee, our rebellion against Thy will, our forgetfulness of Thy law, our complacent apathy, our culpable ignorance, our tolerance of intolerable wrongs.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and turn our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour.     Unknown

347—Pardon and Renewal

      Blot out, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, our past transgression; forgive our negligence and ignorance; help us to amend our mistakes and to repair our misunderstanding; and so uplift our hearts in new love and dedication, that we may be unburdened from the grief and shame of past faithlessness, and go forth to serve Thee with renewed courage and devotion; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

348—Pardon and Cleansing

      O Lord, the house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that Thou mayest enter in.  It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases Thy sight; I confess it, I know.  But who shall cleanse it, or to whom shall I cry but unto Thee?  Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord, and spare Thy servant from strange sins.     St. Augustine

349—Pardon and Purity

      O God, the glory of Thy saints and the rewarder of  the faithful, Who despisest not the sacrifice of a contrite heart and acceptest the prayer of the humble: grant that we, and all for whom we pray, may mortify our worldly lusts, and with pure hearts and minds offer unto Thee the incense of our praise and thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Section  3: The Christian Year

350—Eve of Advent

      Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy  faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gregorian Sacramentary

351—Advent

      Stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, O Lord, and come: that through Thy protection we may be delivered from the dangers which overhang us by reason of our sins, and through Thy liberation of us we may be saved; Who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for evermore.     Sarum

352—O Lord, raise up, we pray Thee, Thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of Thy Son our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end.     1549 Prayer Book

353—Stir up our hearts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son: that, when He cometh He may find us watching; and attentive to meet Him with minds that wait for His presence; through Christ our Lord.

354—Stir up Thy power, O Lord, and come, and mercifully fulfill Thy promise to Thy Church unto the end of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

355—O Thou, Who hast foretold that Thou wilt return to judgement in an hour that we are not aware of: grant us grace to watch and pray always; that whether Thou shalt come at even, or at midnight, or in the morning, we may be found among the number of those servants who shall be blessed in watching for their Lord; to whom be all glory now and for evermore.     Non-Jurors’ Prayer Book

356—O God, Who didst send Thy messengers and prophets to prepare the way of Thy Son before Him: grant that our Lord when He cometh may find in us a dwelling prepared for Himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who came to take our nature upon Him that He might bring many sons unto glory; Who now liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.     Anon.

357—O Thou Who when Thou comest wilt take account of Thy servants: remember for good Thine eternal pact and promise in Thy Cross and Resurrection; in judgement forget not mercy; take not from us the help and comfort of Thy Holy Spirit; and suffer us not at that last hour to fall from Thee; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

358—O great and glorious God, holy and immortal, Who searchest out the policies of nations and triest the hearts of men: some, we pray Thee, in judgement, upon the nations of the world; come and bring to destruction all that is contrary to Thy holy will for mankind, and cause the counsels of the wicked to perish.  Come, O Lord, into our hearts, and root out from them all that Thou seest, and we cannot see, to be unlike the Spirit of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Harold Anson

359—O Lord Jesus Christ, let the love of Thine appearing so continually dwell within us that our hearts may never depart from Thee; and so number us now with those for whom Thou dost intercede in heaven, that in the last day we may not be ashamed before Thee when Thou comest to judge the world; Who livest and reignest with Thy Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end.     Mozarabic

360—Almighty Father, Whose blessed Son at His coming amongst us brought redemption unto His people and peace to men of goodwill: grant that, when He shall come again in glory to judge the world and to make all things new, we may be found ready to receive Him, and enter into His joy; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ     Frederick B. Macnutt

361—The Great Account

      O Lord Jesus Christ, before Whose judgement seat we must all appear and give account of the things done in the body: grant, we beseech Thee, that, when the books are opened in that day, the faces of Thy servants may not be ashamed; through Thy merits, O blessed Saviour, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Altus of St. Columba

362—Advent and Christmas

      O Day-Spring, splendour of the light eternal, Sun of Righteousness: come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.  O King of nations, Whom they long for, Corner-stone Who makest all one, come and save mankind, whom Thou didst fashion out of the dust.  O Emmanuel, our King and Law-giver, Desire of all nations and their Saviour: come and save us, O Lord our God.

363—Christmas Eve

      O Lord God Almighty, Who by the incarnation of Thy only-begotten Son hast banished the darkness of this world, and by His glorious birth didst enlighten this most holy night: drive away from us, we beseech Thee, the darkness of sin, and continue ever to enlighten our hearts with the glory of Thy grace, which Thou hast given unto us in the same, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

364—Christmas Eve

      O God, Who hast hallowed this sacred night with the joyful tidings of the Word made flesh: grant that we, beholding here on earth as through a veil the mystery of His glory Who was born among us, at last may see Him face to face, where there is no more need of light from lamp or sun, in the fullness of Thine eternal glory in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

365—Christmas Eve

      O Lord, we beseech Thee, incline Thine ear to our  prayers, and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gregorian Sacramentary

366—Christmas Eve

      Almighty Father, Who hast given Thine only begotten Son to take our nature upon Him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, His mother; grant that He may be born in our hearts; that as by His most glorious Incarnation He became the Firstborn of many brethren, so by His renewing presence He may give us the right to become the sons of God; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit be given all praise and love, all loyalty and adoration, for ever and ever.     Anon.

367—Christmas

      Almighty God, Who didst wonderfully create man in Thine own image, and didst yet more wonderfully restore him: grant, we beseech Thee, that, as Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ was made in the likeness of men, so we may be made partakers of the divine nature; through the same Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.

368—O God, Whose blessed Son Jesus Christ became man that we might become the sons of God: grant, we beseech Thee, that being made partakers of the divine nature of Thy Son, we may be conformed to His likeness; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever.     Scottish Prayer Book

369—We pray Thee, O Lord, to purify our hearts that they may be worthy to become Thy dwelling place.  Let us never fail to find room for Thee, but come and abide in us that we also may abide in Thee, Who as at this time wast born into the world for us, and dost live and reign, King of kings and Lord of Lords, now and for evermore.     William Temple

370—Lord Jesus, Child of Bethlehem, for love of men made man: create in us love so pure and perfect that whatsoever our heart loveth may be after Thy will, in Thy Name and for Thy sake.     E. Milner-White

371—O God, Who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Thine only Son Jesus Christ: grant, that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him, when He shall come to be our Judge; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Gelasian Sacramentary

372—O God, to Whom glory is sung in the highest, while on earth peace is proclaimed among men of goodwill: grant that goodwill to us Thy servants; cleanse us from evil, and give peace to all Thy people; through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, Who dost live and govern all things, world without end.     Mozarabic

373—O Father, Who hast declared Thy love to men by, the birth of the holy Child at Bethlehem: help us to welcome Him with gladness and to make room for Him in our common days; so that we may live at peace with one another, and in goodwill with all Thy family; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

374—Good Jesu, Who didst empty Thyself of Thine  eternal glory and become a little child for love of me: empty me wholly of myself, and make me a little child, that I may love Thee wholly, as Thou didst love me infinitely.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

375—New Year’s Eve

      Most gracious God, Who hast been merciful unto us in the year that is past, and hast guided and upheld us through all the years of our life on earth: we beseech Thee to pardon our sins and to make us abound in faith and love; fashion in us those virtues which are acceptable unto Thee, and grant that we may serve Thee more faithfully in the year that is to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

376—New Year

      O Eternal Lord God, Who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought Thy servants to the beginning of another year: pardon, we beseech Thee, our sins in the past; graciously abide with us all the days of our life; direct our goings in Thy ways, and guard us from evil in the years that are to come; that we may finish our course with joy and at last become partakers of the inheritance of Thy saints in light; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

377—Almighty God, Who alone art without variableness or shadow of turning, and hast safely brought us through the changes of time to the beginning of another year: we beseech Thee to pardon the sins that we have committed in the year which is past; and give us grace that we may spend the remainder of our days to Thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Church of Ireland Prayer Book

378—O God, Who art the Beginning and the End of all things, grant us so faithfully to pass through the coming year, that we may think and do always such things as shall please Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

379—Eternal God, Who makest all things new, and abidest for ever the same: grant us to begin this year in Thy faith, and to continue it in Thy favour; that, being guided in all our doings, and guarded all our days, we may spend our lives in Thy service, and finally, by Thy grace, attain the glory of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     W. E. Orchard

380—The Name Of Jesus

      O Almighty God, Who hast given unto Thy Son Jesus Christ the Name which is above every name, and hast taught us that there is none other whereby we may be saved: mercifully grant that as Thy faithful people have comfort and peace in His Name, so they may ever labour to proclaim it unto all nations; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Scottish Prayer Book

381—The Name Of Jesus

      O God, Who hast made the glorious Name of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be exceeding lovable to Thy faithful servants: mercifully grant that all who devoutly venerate the Name of Jesus on earth may in this life receive Thy holy comfort, and at the last attain to Thine unending joy; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Sarum

382—The Name Of Jesus

      O God, Who didst send forth Thine only-begotten Son to be the Saviour of mankind, and didst ordain that He should be called Jesus: mercifully grant that as we love and honour His holy Name on earth, we may also enjoy the vision of His glory in heaven; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

383—Forgetting Things Behind

      Eternal Father, Who alone canst control the days that are gone and the deeds that are done: remove from my burdened memory the weight of past years, that being set free from the glamour of complacency and the palsy of remorse, I may reach forth unto those things which are before, and press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.     Bishop Brent

384—Children of Time

      Almighty Father, Who dwellest eternal in the  heavens, and hast appointed unto us our habitation in this world of change and time: stir up our wills, we beseech Thee, so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom; grant that our lives may be filled with Thy praise and service, and make us to be numbered at last with Thy saints in glory everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

385—In the Midst of the Years

      Grant, Almighty God, that, since the dullness and harshness of our flesh is so great that it is needful for us in various ways to be afflicted, we may patiently bear Thy chastisement, and under a deep feeling of sorrow flee to Thy mercy displayed to us in Christ; and that not depending upon the earthly blessings of this perishable life, but relying only upon Thy Word, we may go forward in the course of our calling; until at length we be gathered to that blessed rest which is laid up for us in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     John Calvin

386–Epiphany

      O God, Who by the leading of a star didst manifest Thy only-begotten Son to the nations: mercifully grant that we who know Thee now by faith may so follow the light of Thy truth revealed in Him that we may attain at last to the vision of Thy glory in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

387—Almighty God, Who at the baptism of Thy blessed Son Jesus Christ in the river Jordan didst manifest His glorious Godhead: grant, we beseech Thee, that the brightness of His presence may shine in our hearts, and His glory be set forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop John Dowden

388—O Father everlasting, the light of faithful souls, Who didst bring the nations to Thy light and kings to the brightness of Thy rising: fill the world with Thy glory, we beseech Thee, and show Thyself unto all the nations; through Him Who is the true light and the bright and morning star, Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord.     Gothic Missal

389—Almighty God, Who to wise men who sought Him didst manifest the Incarnation of Thy Son by the bright shining of a star: grant that, as they presented unto Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh, so we also out of our treasures may offer to Him ourselves, a living sacrifice acceptable in Thy sight; through Him Who for our sakes was born on earth a little child, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

390—Lord Jesus, our Master, go with us while we travel to the heavenly country: that, following Thy star, we may not wander in the darkness of this world’s night, while Thou, Who art our Way, and Truth, and Life, dost shine within us to our journey’s end; for Thy mercy’s sake.

391—Almighty and everlasting God, Who didst make known the Incarnation of Thy Son by the bright shining of a star, and when the wise men beheld it they adored Thy majesty and presented costly gifts: grant that the star of righteousness may always shine in our hearts; and that we may freely give ourselves and all that we possess to Thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

392—Ash Wednesday

      O God, Who through Thy blessed Son hast gloriously reconciled mankind to Thyself; grant us to keep such a fast as he has chosen; that following the example of our Lord, we may obey Thee with faithful hearts, and serve one another in holy love; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

393—Lent

      O God, Who by Thy care and counsel for mankind hast moved Thy Church to appoint this holy season wherein the hearts of those who seek Thee may receive Thy help and healing: we beseech Thee, Saviour of our souls and bodies, to purify us by Thy discipline, that, abiding in Thee and Thou in us, we may grow in grace and in the faith and knowledge of Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

394—Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that by the  observance of this Lent we may advance in the knowledge of the mystery of Christ, and show forth His mind in conduct worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

395—Into Thy hands, O Lord our God, we commend our  souls and bodies this Lent.  Draw nigh to us as we draw nigh to Thee, and enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit.  Be present with us in our worship, and abide with us amidst the cares and duties of our daily lives; and draw us after Thee to follow whithersoever Thou wilt lead us in Thy way of faith and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

396—O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst take upon Thyself the form of a servant, humbling Thyself and accepting death for us, even the death of the Cross: grant that this mind may be also in us; so that we may gladly take upon ourselves the life of humility and service, and taking up our cross daily may follow Thee in Thy Cross-bearing in Thy suffering and death, that with Thee we may attain unto the power of Thy endless life. Grant this, O Christ, our Saviour and our King.     Harold Anson

397—Mastery of the Flesh

      O God, Who art Spirit, the Spirit in us prays to Thee for mastery of the flesh, that living without fear for ourselves, we may abound in help to others; so shall we quicken the hope and increase the knowledge of Thy heaven, where spirit is Lord of matter, as love is Lord of spirit, now and for ever.     A. Clutton Brock

398—Lent

      O Lord and heavenly Father, Who hast given unto us Thy people the true bread that cometh down from heaven, even Thy Son Jesus Christ: grant that throughout this Lent our souls may so be fed by Him that we may continually live in Him and He in us; and that day by day we may be renewed in spirit by the power of His endless life, Who gave Himself for us, and now liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.     Frederick B. Macnutt

399—Holy Week

      O God, Who didst send Thy Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation, that He might humble Himself to our estate and call us back to Thee: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may prepare a way of faith for Him in our hearts and minds, and daily follow the example of His self-giving love; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

400—Holy Week

      O God, Whose blessed Son for our sake endured the Cross that Thou mightest liberate us from the power of our enemy: grant to us Thy servants grace that we may attain unto the glory of His Resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     After Sarum

401—The Maundy

      Lord Jesus Christ, Who when Thou wast able to institute Thy Holy Sacrament at the Last Supper, didst wash the feet of the Apostles, and teach us by Thy example the grace of humility: cleanse us, we beseech Thee, from all stain of sin, that we may be worthy partakers of Thy holy mysteries: Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.     The Royal Maundy

402—The Third Hour

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at the third hour of the day wast led forth to the pain of the Cross for the salvation of the world: we humbly beseech Thee, that by the virtue of Thy most sacred passion Thou wouldest blot out all our sins, and mercifully bring us to the glory of Thy blessedness; Who livest and reignest, God, world without end.     Sarum: Terce

403—The Ascent of Calvary

      Lord, Thou goest forth alone to Thy sacrifice: Thou dost offer Thyself to death, whom Thou art come to destroy.  What can we miserable sinners plead, who know that for the deeds that we have done Thou dost atone?  Ours is the guilt, Lord: why then must Thou suffer torture for our sins?  Make our hearts so to share in Thy passion, that our fellow-suffering may invite Thy mercy.  This is that night of tears, and the three days’ eventide of sadness, until the day break with the risen Christ, and with joy to those that mourn.  May we so suffer with Thee, Lord, that we may be partners of Thy glory, and our three days’ mourning shall pass away and become Thine Easter joy.     Peter Abelard

404—The Crucifixion

      O Lord Jesus Christ! Son of the living God! Who for the redemption of mankind didst vouchsafe to ascend the wood of the Cross, that the whole world which lay in darkness might be enlightened: we beseech Thee, pour such light into our souls and bodies, that we may be enabled to attain to that light which is eternal, and through the merits of Thy passion, may after death joyfully enter within the gates of paradise; Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without end.     Sarum

405—Before The Cross

      O my Redeemer, Deliverer, and Saviour, draw me to Thee, that being always mindful of Thy death, trusting always in Thy goodness, and being always thankful for Thine unspeakable benefits, I may be made partaker of so great bountifulness, and not be separated from Thee through my own unthankfulness, so that Thou shouldest not have been born in vain, in respect of me, and in vain have suffered so many torments, yea, and even most bitter death, of Thine own accord, for my sake.     Ludovicus Vives

406—To Christ Crucified

      O Loving wisdom of the living God, O living word  and power of the Father everlasting: grant what Thou hast promised, and give us, unworthy though we are, what we most earnestly desire; that Thy passion may be our deliverance, Thy death our life, Thy Cross our redemption, and Thy wounds our healing; and that, being crucified with Thee, Thy grace may lift us up on high to Thy Father; with Whom Thou livest and reignest, one God, world without end.

407—The Cross: Divine Attraction

      O Lord Jesu Christ, take us to Thyself, draw us with cords to the foot of Thy Cross; for we have not strength to come, and we know not the way.  Thou art mighty to save, and none can separate us from Thy love: bring us home to Thyself; for we are gone astray.  We have wandered; do Thou seek us.  Under the shadow of Thy Cross let us live all the rest of our lives, and there we shall be safe.     Archbishop Frederick Temple

408—The Cross

      Lord Jesus, Who on this holy day of Thy passion didst stretch out Thine arms upon the hard wood of the Cross, that all men might be brought within their saving embrace; draw us unto Thyself with the bands of Thy love, that we may be found of Thee and find Thee; and grant that, evermore being bound unto Thee as Thy faithful servants, we may take up our cross daily and follow Thee, and at last attain to Thine eternal joy; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end.     Unknown

409—The Cross

      Grant, O Lord, that in Thy wounds I may find my safety, in Thy stripes my cure, in Thy pain my peace, in Thy Cross my victory, in Thy Resurrection my triumph, and a crown of righteousness in the glories of Thy eternal kingdom.     Jeremy Taylor

410—The Cross

      O Christ, our God, Who for us sinners didst endure the Cross, and so didst enlighten the world’s darkness: visit our hearts, we beseech Thee, with Thy heavenly light, and open the eyes of our minds to know Thee as Thou art, Thou lover of souls; Who through death didst destroy death and ever livest to make intercession for us; and with the Father and the Holy Spirit art one God, for ever and ever.

411—Lux Crucis

      O Lord, Who for our sake didst endure the bitterness of death and despise the shame, and in Thy Cross and passion dost draw all men unto Thyself: kindle in our hearts the vision of Thy love, and shed abroad the light of Thy victory in the darkness of the world; Who now livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and art loved, worshipped, and adored, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

412—When the Even Was Come

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to Thy people: make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of Thy passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with Thee; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Office of Compline

413—Easter Even

      O God, Whose loving-kindness is infinite, mercifully hear our prayers: that, as in this life we are united in the mystical body of Thy Church; and in death are laid in holy ground with hope of resurrection, so at the last day we may rise again with all Thy blessed saints; through Him Who died and rose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

414—Easter Even

      My God, my lover, I thirst after Thee, I hunger after Thee.  As I can, not as I ought, having in mind Thy passion, Thy buffetings, Thy scourgings, Thy wounds, remembering how Thou wast slain for my sake, how Thou wast embalmed, how and where Thou wast buried, I sit with Mary at the sepulchre in my heart weeping.  Where faith hath laid Thee, hope seeketh to find Thee, love to anoint Thee.  Come now, O Lord, reveal Thy face to me, show Thy mercy to those that implore it.  We know that Thy Resurrection is accomplished: manifest to our eyes Thy blessed incorruption.  Abide with us, abide with us until the morning.  Let us enjoy Thy presence; let us be glad and rejoice in Thy Resurrection.  The darkness thickens, the evening cometh fast.  May our sun, the Light eternal, Christ our God, show us the light of His countenance!     St. Anselm

415—Abide With Us

      Abide with us, O Lord, for it is toward evening and  the day is far spent: abide with us, and with Thy whole Church.  Abide with us in the evening of the day, in the evening of life, in the evening of the world.  Abide with us in Thy grace and mercy, in holy Word and Sacrament, in Thy comfort and Thy blessing.  Abide with us in the night of distress and fear, in the night of doubt and temptation, in the night of bitter death, when these shall overtake us.  Abide with us and with all Thy faithful ones, O Lord, in time and in eternity.     Lutheran Manuel of Prayer

416—Easter: Benedictus

      Blessed be Thou, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to Thine abundant mercy didst beget us again unto a living hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us who are kept by Thy power through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Whom having not seen, we love; to Whom with Thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, praise and dominion, for ever and ever.     After St. Peter

417—Easter

      O God of peace, Who didst bring again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus: make us perfect in every good thing to do Thy will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in Thy sight through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever.     After Hebrews 13

418—O God, Who for our redemption didst give Thine only-begotten Son to the death of the Cross, and by His glorious Resurrection hast delivered us from the power of the enemy: grant us so to die daily unto sin, that we may evermore live with Him in the joy of His Resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     1549 Prayer Book

419—Almighty God, Who art worshipped by the heavenly host with hymns that are never silent and thanksgivings that never cease: fill our mouths with Thy praise that we may worthily magnify Thy holy Name for all the wonderful blessings of Thy love, and chiefly on this day for the Resurrection of Thy Son.  Grant us, with all those that fear Thee and keep Thy commandments, to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost may praise from all the world be given, now and for evermore.     Unknown

420—O Risen Lord, Who after Thy passion didst show Thyself alive unto Thine Apostles by many infallible proofs, and didst speak unto them the things that concern the kingdom of God: speak unto us also who wait upon Thee, and fill us with joy and peace in believing; that we may abound in hope, and knowing Thy will may faithfully perform it, even unto the end; through Thy grace, Who livest and reignest, Lord of the dead and of the living.     Unknown

421—Almighty God, Who didst bring again from the dead our Lord Jesus, and hast brought life and immortality to light with Him through the Gospel: grant that we, who are raised together with Him and are partakers of the joy and hope of His Resurrection, may daily die unto sin and walk on earth in the power of His endless life in heaven; to Whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit be praise and thanksgiving, dominion and power, both now and for evermore.     Frederick B. Macnutt

422—O God, Who through Thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we may walk in newness of life, and seek those things which are above; where with Thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, He liveth and reigneth for ever and ever.

423—Grant to us, Lord, we beseech Thee, that as we joyfully celebrate the mysteries of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, so at His coming we may rejoice before Thee with all Thy saints; through the love of Him Who died for us and rose again.

424—We give Thee thanks, Almighty Father, Who hast delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of Thy Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that as by His death He has restored to us hope and peace, He may raise us up with Him to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

425—O Thou, Who didst manifest Thyself in the breaking of bread to Thy disciples at Emmaus, grant us ever through the same blessed Sacrament of Thy Presence to know Thee, and to love Thee more and more with all our hearts.  Abide with us, abide in us, that we may ever abide in Thee; dwell in us that we may ever dwell in Thee, O good Jesu, Thou God of our salvation.     Edward Bouverie Pusey

426—Lord Jesus, I beseech Thee by Thy glorious Resurrection, raise me up from the sepulchre of my sins and vices, and daily give me a part in Thy Resurrection by grace, that I may be made a partner also in Thy Resurrection of glory.     St. Augustine

427—Pour upon us, O Lord, Thy heavenly benediction, that we may be armed with the faith of the Resurrection not to fear any army of men set against us.     Archbishop Parker

428—O Lord Jesus Christ, Who when Thou hadst conquered death didst bless those who have not seen Thee and yet have believed: forgive us who, like Thy disciples, are slow of heart to believe, and pour into our hearts the joy of faith unspeakable and full of glory; that being risen with Thee in heart and mind, we may seek those things which are above, where Thou sittest on the right hand of God, and livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

429—O Christ, the light of men, Who on the third day didst arise from the grave and shed Thy bright beams upon the darkness of the world; grant, we beseech Thee, that, enlightened by Thy presence, we may walk as children of the day, to the glory of Thy Name Who livest and reignest, world without end.

430—O God, Who by Thine only-begotten Son hast destroyed the reign of death, and hast made us partakers of the kingdom of Thy love: grant, we beseech Thee, that as Thou hast begotten us again unto a living hope by His Resurrection, so also we may be kept by His power through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in Him, where He reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

431—Ascension

      O Almighty God, Who by Thy holy Apostle hast  taught us to set our affection on things above: grant us so to labour in this life as ever to be mindful of our citizenship in those heavenly places whither our Saviour Christ is gone before; to Whom with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end.     South African Prayer Book

432—Almighty God, Whose blessed Son, our Saviour Christ, ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things: mercifully give us faith to perceive that according to His promise He abideth with His Church on earth, even unto the end of the world; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Scottish Prayer Book

433—O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast gone up on high that Thou mayest fill all things, and didst fulfill Thy promise to Thy Church and send gifts unto men: we beseech Thee to dwell continually with us by Thy Spirit, that we may seek those things which are above, where Thou sittest on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till Thine enemies be made Thy footstool, world without end.

434—Almighty God, Who after Thy Son had ascended on high didst send forth Thy Spirit in the Church to draw all men unto Thee: fulfill, we beseech Thee, this Thy gracious purpose, and in the fullness of time gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him, Who is the head over all things in the Church which is His Body, Jesus Christ our Lord.

435—O God, Who hast exalted the Crucified, Thy Son, by a triumphant Resurrection and Ascension into heaven: may His triumphs and glories so shine in the eyes of our hearts and minds, that we may more clearly comprehend His sufferings, and more courageously pass through our own; for His sake Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.     E. Milner-White

436—Almighty and merciful God, into Whose gracious presence we ascend, not by the frailty of the flesh, but by the activity of the soul: make us ever by Thine inspiration to seek the courts of the heavenly city, whither our Saviour Christ hath ascended, that by Thy mercy we may confidently enter them both now and hereafter; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Leonine Sacramentary

437—Grant us, Lord, we beseech Thee, not to mind earthly things, but to seek things heavenly; so that though we are set among scenes that pass away, our heart and affection may steadfastly cleave to the things that endure for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Leonine Sacramentary

438—O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst gloriously ascend into heaven after Thy Resurrection: grant us the help of Thy grace, that as Thou hast promised to dwell with us always on earth, so in heart and mind we may never cease to dwell with Thee in heaven; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, one God, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

439—O Christ, the King of glory, Who through the eternal doors didst ascend to the throne of Thy Father, and open the kingdom of heaven to all believers: grant that, while Thou dost reign in heaven, our hearts may not be bowed down by the things of earth, but rather be lifted up whither Thou; our Redemption, hast gone before; Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, world without end.     Mozarabic

440—O Lord Jesus Christ, Who after Thy Resurrection didst manifestly appear to Thine Apostles, and in their sight didst ascend into heaven to prepare a place for us: grant that, being risen with Thee, we may lift up our hearts continually to seek Thee where Thou art, and never cease to serve Thee faithfully here on earth; until at last, when Thou comest again, Thou shalt receive us unto Thyself; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

441—O King of glory, Lord of might, Who in triumph didst ascend this day above all heavens: leave us not bereaved, but send upon us the promise of the Father, even the Spirit of Truth.     Sarum

442—To Christ Ascended

      O Lord, the only joy and comfort of our souls, show us Thy loving countenance; embrace us with the arms of Thy mercy; pour Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts; pluck us up from the earth and things earthly; open our eyes and lift them up unto Thee; open Thy mouth, and call us unto Thee; open our ears, that we may hear Thee: so that, whatsoever we do speak or think, it may be directed unto Thee alone, our Redeemer, Mediator, and Advocate.     Ludovicus Vives

443—Whitsunday

      O Almighty God, Who on the day of Pentecost didst send the Holy Ghost the Comforter to abide in Thy Church unto the end: bestow upon us and upon all Thy faithful people His manifold gifts of grace, that with minds enlightened by His truth, and hearts purified by His presence, we may day by day be strengthened with power in the inward man; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who with Thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.     Bishop John Dowden

444—O God, Who in all ages hast sent forth Thy power to sanctify the faithful: let the flame of Thy Spirit so kindle and cleanse Thy Church that in purity and strength we may present unto Thee the glad oblation of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     J. W. Suter

445—O God, Who didst graciously send to Thy disciples the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, in the likeness of fiery flame: grant to Thy people ;hat they may be united in fervent faith, and that abiding ever in Thy love, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in serving Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

446—O God, Who on the day of Pentecost didst fulfill Thy promise to pour out Thy Spirit upon all flesh: we beseech Thee to shed abroad upon Thy Church in every race and nation the gifts of the same Spirit; that through the preaching of the Gospel Thy glory may be manifested unto all mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

447—O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who after His Ascension didst send upon the first disciples Thy promised gift of the Holy Spirit: regard, we pray Thee, the need of Thy Church, and grant us by the same Spirit to be endued with power from on high, that we may bear effectual witness to the truth of Thy holy Gospel, and be strengthened to serve Thee with fervent hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

448—Trinity Sunday

      O my Lord God Almighty, Immortal, Invisible, the mysteries of Whose being are unsearchable: accept, we beseech Thee, our praises for the revelation which Thou hast made of Thyself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons and one God; and mercifully grant that, ever holding fast this faith, we may magnify Thy glorious Name; Who livest and reignest, one God, world without end.     Bishop John Dowden

449—The Transfiguration

      O God, Who before the passion of Thine only-begotten Son didst reveal His glory upon the holy mount: grant unto us Thy servants, that in faith beholding the light of His countenance, we may be strengthened to bear the cross, and be changed into His likeness from glory to glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     1928 Prayer Book

450—O Almighty and everlasting God, Whose blessed Son revealed Himself to His chosen Apostles when He was transfigured on the holy mount, and amidst the excellent glory spake with Moses and Elijah of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem: grant to us Thy servants that beholding the brightness of Thy countenance we may be strengthened to bear the cross; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Scottish Prayer Book

451—O God, Who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses Thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering: mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in His beauty; Who with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.     American Prayer Book

452—O God, Who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses Thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: mercifully grant unto us such a vision of His divine majesty, that we, being purified and strengthened by Thy grace, may be transformed into His likeness from glory to glory; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.     Canadian Prayer Book

453—Christ our God, Who wast transfigured upon the mountain, and didst manifest Thy glory to Thy disciples as they were able to bear it: shed forth Thine everlasting light upon us, Thy servants, that we may behold Thy glory and enter into Thy sufferings, and proclaim Thee to the world, O Thou Who givest light in the darkness and art Thyself the light of men, Jesus Christ our Lord.     Eastern Orthodox

454—All Saints

      O God, we give Thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all Thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of Thy grace, and lights of the world in their several generations; most humbly beseeching Thee to give us grace so to follow the example of their steadfastness, that we, with all those who are of the mystical body of Thy Son, may be set on His right hand, Who reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     The English Liturgy

455—All Saints

      Almighty God, Who dost choose Thine elect out of every nation, and dost show forth Thy glory in their lives: grant, we pray Thee, that, following the example of Thy saints, we may be fruitful in good works to the praise of Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Scottish Prayer Book

456—All Saints

      O Almighty God, Who wiliest to be glorified in Thy saints and hast raised them up to shine as lights in the world: shine, we pray Thee, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth Thy praises, Who hast called us out of darkness into marvellous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     South African Prayer Book

457—All Saints

      O Lord most High, Who in the righteousness of Thy saints hast given us an ensample of Godly living, and in their blessedness a glorious pledge of the hope of our calling: grant, we beseech Thee, that being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, we may run with patience the race that is set before us, and with them receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

458—All Saints

      O God, Who hast brought us near to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect: grant us in our pilgrimage on earth to continue in their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become partakers of their joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     William Bright

459—All Saints

      Almighty and everlasting God, Who dost kindle  the flame of Thy love in the hearts of Thy saints: grant to our minds the same faith and power of love; that as we rejoice in their triumph, we may also follow the example of their patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gothic Missal

460—The Example of the Saints

      Grant, O Lord, that the example of Thy saints may incline our hearts to holiness of living; and that always having in remembrance their faith and patience, we may steadfastly dedicate ourselves to follow with them in the following of Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

461—English Saints

      We beseech Thee, O Lord, to multiply Thy grace upon us who commemorate the saints of our nation; that, as we rejoice to be their fellow-citizens on earth, so we may have fellowship also with them in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     1928 Prayer Book

462—Commemoration of the Saints of England

      God, Whom all the saints adore, assembled in Thy glorious presence from all times and places of Thy dominion; Who gathered us far dwellers of the islands of the sea into the kingdom of Thy Son; and hast adorned our country with many splendid lamps of holiness: grant us worthily to celebrate the saints of England by following their footsteps throughout the world, whithersoever Thou shalt send us, each in his office lowly serving, till all nations confess Thy Name and all mankind know and fulfill its destiny in Christ; to Whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end.     Alexander Nairne

463—A Martyr’s Witness: St. Thomas of Canterbury

      Almighty God, Who didst suffer Thy martyr  Thomas to be cruelly slain by the swords of wicked men, and yet madest him in his death to become a flaming sword of witness to the might of things unseen: grant unto us that we may be ever mindful of his example, and show forth our thankfulness in loyalty to Thy Church, and in strong confidence and faith in Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Frederick B. Macnutt

464—The Martyrs

      Almighty God, by Whose grace and power Thy holy martyrs triumphed over suffering and despised death: grant, we beseech Thee, that, enduring hardness and waxing valiant in fight, we may receive with them the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

465—All Souls

      Almighty, eternal God, Who wouldest have all  men to be saved: be merciful, we beseech Thee, to the souls of Thy servants who have departed from this world in the confession of Thy Name, that they may be joined to the company of Thy saints; through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.     Church Union Prayer

466—Rogation: Harvest

      O gracious Father, Who openest Thine hands and fillest all things living with plenteousness: vouchsafe to bless the lands and multiply the harvests of the world; let Thy breath go forth to renew the face of the earth; show Thy loving-kindness that our land may give her increase; and so fill us with good things that the poor and needy may give thanks unto Thy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Adapted from American Prayer Book

467—Rogation: Harvest

      O almighty God, Who hast created the earth for man, and man for Thy glory: mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and be mindful of Thy covenant, that both the earth may yield her increase, and the good seed of Thy Word may bring forth abundantly, to the glory of Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Canadian Prayer Book

468—Rogation: Harvest

      O almighty God, Who in Thine unfailing providence givest food to all flesh: vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to bless the seed sown in our fields, and to grant that, having received Thy good gifts in due season, we may ever with thankful hearts offer up our praises unto Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

469—Rogation: Harvest

      O Lord, Who alone givest seed to the sower and bread to the eater, and hast taught us to seek from Thee our daily bread: bless the sowing of the seed, and grant fertility to the soil that receives it; and accept the labours of Thy servants, for Thy glory and the wellbeing of Thy people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

470—Rogation: Harvest

      Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, in Whom we live and move and have our being; Who doest good unto all men, making Thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sending rain on the just and on the unjust; favourably behold us Thy servants, who call upon Thy Name, and send us Thy blessing from heaven, in giving us fruitful seasons, and filling our hearts with food and gladness; that both our hearts and mouths may be continually filled with Thy praise, giving thanks to Thee in Thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop Cosin

471—Rogation: Harvest

      Almighty God, Who crownest the year with Thy goodness, we beseech Thee to bless with Thy bounty the farmers and workers on the land, that as they sow in hope so in due time they may gather in the sheaves with joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Unknown

472—Harvest of Land and Sea

      Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth; of Thy great goodness, we beseech Thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, the treasures of mines, and the harvest of the sea, so as in due time we may enjoy them with thanksgiving.     Archbishop Benson

473—Thanksgiving for Harvest

      O Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast given unto us the fruits of the earth in their season, and hast crowned the year with Thy goodness: give us grateful hearts, that we may unfeignedly thank Thee for all Thy loving-kindness, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Bishop John Dowden

474—Thanksgiving for Harvest

      O Most merciful Father, Who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman and given unto us the fruits of the earth in their season: we give Thee humble and hearty, thanks for this Thy bounty; and we beseech Thee to continue this Thy loving-kindness toward us, that year by year our land may yield her increase, to Thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     American Prayer Book

475—Thanksgiving for Harvest

      O Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast given unto us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant us grace to use the same to Thy glory, the relief of those that need, and our own comfort, through Jesus Christ, Who is the living bread which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world; to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end.     Anon.

476—Thanksgiving for Harvest

      O Most merciful Father, Who of Thy gracious goodness hast heard the devout prayers of Thy Church, and hast granted us to gather in the kindly fruits of the earth in their season: we give Thee humble thanks for this Thy bounty, beseeching Thee to continue Thy loving-kindness towards us, that our land may yield her increase; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

477—Spiritual Harvest

      O God, Who by the voice of holy prophets hast made manifest in the children of Thy Church in every place of Thy dominion that Thou dost sow good seed and cultivate the branches of Thy vine: grant to Thy people, from whom Thou wilt gather in Thy harvest, that they may be freed from the evil growths of thorns and briars, and abundantly bring forth good fruit to the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

478—Spiritual Harvest

      O Lord, we pray Thee, sow the seed of Thy Word in our hearts, and send down upon us Thy heavenly grace; that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, and at the great day may be gathered by Thy holy angels into Thy garner, through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Anon.

479—Food Bodily And Spiritual

      Most mighty Lord and merciful Father, we yield Thee hearty thanks for our bodily sustenance, requiring also most entirely thy gracious goodness, so to feed us with the food of Thy heavenly grace that we may worthily glorify Thy holy Name in this life, and after be partakers of the life everlasting, through our Lord Jesus Christ.     The Primer

Section  4:  The Holy Communion

Preparation

480—i.

      O Lord, Who in a wonderful Sacrament didst leave us a memorial of Thy Cross and passion: grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may always receive within ourselves the fruits of Thy redemption; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     St. Thomas Aquinas

481—ii.

      Most gracious God, incline Thy merciful ears to our prayers, and enlighten our hearts by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may worthily celebrate these holy mysteries, and love Thee with an everlasting love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

482—iii.

      Cleanse us, O Lord, from our secret faults, and absolve us from our presumptuous sins; that we may receive these holy mysteries with pure minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord.     Leonine Sacramentary

483—iv.

      May the sacred Feast of Thy Table, O Lord, always strengthen and renew us, guide and protect our weakness amid the storms of the world, and bring us into the haven of everlasting salvation.     Leonine Sacramentary

484—v.

      We beseech Thee, O Lord, to visit and purify our souls and bodies, that Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, when He cometh may find in us a mansion prepared for Himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     Gelasian Sacramentary

485—vi.

      O God, Who didst wonderfully create the glory of our human nature, and hast yet more wonderfully restored it: grant that as Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has deigned to take upon Him our flesh, so also, through the mysteries of His Body and Blood, we may become partakers of His divine nature, Who was made in our likeness; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

486—vii.

      Grant, O Lord, that we who shall receive the  blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, may come to that holy mystery with faith, charity, and true repentance; that being filled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction, we may obtain remission of our sins and all other benefits of His passion, to our great and endless comfort; through Him Who died and rose again and ascended for us, that He might fill all things, Jesus Christ our Lord.

487—viii.

      O God, Who in our baptism hast made us partakers of Thy grace: grant, we beseech Thee, that as we have been made members of the Body of Thy Son, so by the Sacrament of His Cross and passion we may be strengthened to grow up in all things unto Him Who is the Head, even Jesus Christ; to Whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit be honour and glory, world without end.

488—ix.

      O Lord and heavenly Father, Who hast given unto us Thy people the true Bread that cometh down from heaven, even Thy Son Jesus Christ: grant that our souls may so be fed by Him Who giveth life unto the world, that we may abide in Him and He in us, and Thy Church be filled with the power of His unending life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

489—x.

      O Lord our God, Bread of heaven, Life of the world, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and I am not worthy to partake of Thine immaculate mysteries.  But Thou art God, full of compassion; deem me worthy, I beseech Thee, by Thy grace to partake of Thy holy Body and Thy precious Blood without condemnation, unto remission of sins and eternal life.     Liturgy of St. James

490—xi.

      I Am not worthy, Lord and Master, that Thou shouldest come under the roof of my soul; but since Thou desirest to dwell within me, O Lover of mankind, I am bold to draw near.  Thou dost bid me to open the door which Thou alone hast made, that Thou mayest enter and bring light into my darkened mind.  I believe that Thou wilt do this, for Thou didst not cast out the harlot when she came to Thee in tears, nor reject the publican when he repented, nor cast out the robber when he confessed Thy kingdom, nor forsake the persecutor when he repented; but Thou didst number among Thy friends all who came to Thee in penitence, O Thou Who alone art blessed, now and world without end.     St. Chrysostom

491—xii.

      O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not my partaking of Thy most pure and life-giving mysteries bring me into judgement, and let me not become weak in soul and body by reason of unworthy partaking of them.  Grant me, even unto my last breath, to receive uncondemned my share of Thy holy things, and to receive thereby my portion in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, provision for the journey of eternal life, and an account acceptable at Thy dread judgement-seat; that with all Thine elect I also may be partaker of those good things undefiled which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee, O Lord; amongst whom Thou abidest and art glorified for ever.     St. Basil the Great

492—xiii.

      Lord, Thou hast prepared a table for me against that trouble me: let that holy sacrament of the Eucharist be to me a defense and shield, a nourishment and medicine, life and health, a means of sanctification and spiritual growth; that I, receiving the Body of my dearest Lord, may be one with His mystical Body, and of the same spirit, united with indissoluble bonds of a strong faith, and a holy hope, and a never-failing charity, that from this veil I may pass into the visions of eternal clarity, from eating Thy Body to beholding Thy face in the glories of Thy everlasting kingdom, O blessed and eternal Jesus.     Jeremy Taylor

493—xiv.

      O Lord, into a clean, charitable, and thankful heart, give me grace to receive the blessed Body and Blood of Thy Son, my most blessed Saviour, that it may more perfectly cleanse me from all dregs of sin; that being made clean, it may nourish me in faith, hope, charity, and obedience, with all other fruits of spiritual life and growth in Thee; that in all the future course of my life, I may show myself such an ingrafted member into the Body of Thy Son, that I may never be drawn to do anything that may dishonour His Name.  Grant this, O Lord, I beseech Thee, even for His merit’s and mercy’s sake.     Archbishop Laud

494—xv.

      Behold, O God, I am now coming to Thee, O Thou fountain of purgation.  Thou well of living waters, wash me clean; be unto me the bread of life to strengthen me in my pilgrimage toward heaven.  Thy flesh is meat indeed, and Thy blood is drink indeed: O give me grace to receive both worthily.  Lord Jesus Christ, I believe all that Thou hast said, and all that Thou hast promised; help Thou mine unbelief.  Thou art the Author, be Thou the Finisher of my faith; and for Thy glory’s sake, for Thine own Name’s sake, lead me in the right way to this great mercy and mystery.     Henry Vaughan

Before Reception

495—i.

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast taught us that man Both not live by bread alone: feed us, we humbly beseech Thee, with the true bread that cometh down from heaven, even Thyself, O Blessed Saviour; Who livest and reignest, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.     Bishop John Dowden

496—ii.

      Come, Lord Jesus, in the fullness of Thy grace, and dwell in the hearts of us Thy servants; that, adoring Thee by faith, we may with joy receive Thee, and with love and thankfulness abide in Thee, our Guide, our Bread of pilgrims, our comrade by the way.     E. D. Sedding, S.S.J.E.

497—iii.

      O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by the sacrifice of Thyself didst break the power of sin and death and open unto us the gate of life eternal: mercifully look upon us Thy servants, and feed us with Thyself, the living Bread; that, established in Thy grace and strengthened by Thy Spirit, we may walk before Thee in faith and holiness, and serve Thee unto our lives’ end.     Frederick B. Macnutt

498—iv.

      O merciful Jesus, Who in this holy Sacrament dost vouchsafe to us the immortal food which is Thyself: grant to our weak and languishing souls new supplies of grace, new life, new love, new vigour, and new resolution; that we may nevermore fail in our duty, nor faint in our service; to the glory of Thy Name.

499—v.

      Lord, I believe and confess that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  I believe also that this is Thine undefiled Body, and that this is indeed Thy precious Blood.  I pray Thee, therefore, have mercy upon me and forgive me my offences, willing and unwilling, in word or in deed, knowing or unknowing; and account me worthy to partake uncondemned of Thine undefiled mysteries, unto remission of sins and life eternal.     Liturgy of St. Chrysostom

500—vi.

      Thanks be unto Thee, good Jesus, eternal Shepherd, for that Thou hast vouchsafed to refresh us exiles with Thy precious Body and Blood.  O Lord, I draw near, a sick man to the Saviour, hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a poor vagabond to the King of heaven, a servant to his Lord, a creature to the Creator, a desolate soul to my tender Comforter.  Behold, in Thee is all that I can desire; Thou art my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength, my honour and glory.  Rejoice, therefore, this day the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee, Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.  Receive me for the honour and glory of Thy Name: Thou Who hast prepared Thy Body and Blood to be my meat and drink.  Grant, O Lord God of my salvation, that with the frequenting of Thy mystery the zeal of my devotion may increase.     Thomas à Kempis

501—vii.

      We pray Thee, Lord, let Thy Spirit purify our hearts, lest we come unworthily to this heavenly feast; that Thou mayest be shed abroad in our hearts, and we may grow strong in spirit to persevere in the blessed society of Thy mystical Body, which Thou wiliest to be one with Thee as Thou art one with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit; to Whom be praise and thanksgiving for ever.     Erasmus

502—viii.

      Glory be to Thee, O God our Father, Who hast  vouchsafed to make us at this time partakers of the Body and Blood of Thy holy Son: we offer unto Thee, O God, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto Thee: keep us under the shadow of Thy wings, and defend us from all evil, and conduct us by the Holy Spirit of grace into all good: for Thou Who hast given Thy holy Son unto us, how shalt not Thou with Him give us all things else?  Blessed be the Name of our God for ever and ever.     Jeremy Taylor

503—ix.

      Lord, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant, all my life long unto this very day; much less am I worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.  But seeing it is Thy free institution and free mercy that will have it so, be jealous, O God, of the place of Thine honour; cause me to remember whose temple I am, and suffer not my last state to be worse than the first.  Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.     Henry Vaughan

504—x.

      Let the remembrance of Thy death, O blessed Jesus, ever present with me when temptations assault me.  Let Thy good Spirit preserve my body evermore a fit temple for the Lord God to dwell in.  Give me desires as great as my necessities, that all who are partakers of this one bread may be united and of one heart and soul, at peace with God and one with another.     Bishop Thomas Wilson

505—xi.

      O blessed Jesus, Saviour, Who didst agonize for us: God Almighty, Who didst make Thyself weak for the love of us: stir us up to offer to Thee our bodies, our souls, our spirits; and in all we love and all we learn, in all we plan and all we do, to offer ourselves, our labours, our pleasures, our sorrows, to Thee to work for Thy kingdom, to live as those who are not their own, but bought with Thy Blood, fed with Thy Body.  And enable us now, in Thy most Holy Sacrament, to offer to Thee our repentance, our prayers, our praises, living, reasonable, and spiritual sacrifices — Thine from our birth-hour, Thine now, and Thine for ever.     Charles Kingsley

506—xii.—At the Sanctus

      In world of worlds without ending Thanked be Thou, Jesu, my King.  All my heart I give it Thee, great right it is that it so be; with all my will I worship Thee, Jesu, blessed might Thou be.  With all my heart I thanke Thee The good that Thou hast done to me; Sweet Jesu, grant me now this, That I may come unto Thy bliss, There with angels for to sing The sweet song of Thy praising: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus. Jesu, grant that it be thus.     Twelfth Century

After Reception

507—i.

      O Lord, my God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, make me ever to seek and love Thee, and, by this Holy Communion which I have received, never to depart from Thee; for Thou art God, and beside Thee there is none else, for ever and ever.     Mozarabic

508—ii.

      We thank Thee, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, because Thou hast admitted us this day to Thy heavenly mysteries.  Guide our path aright, we beseech Thee; stablish us in Thy fear; watch over our lives; and make safe our goings in Thy way.     Liturgy of St. James

509—iii.

      We give Thee thanks, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty everlasting God, Who not for any merit of ours, but of the condescension of Thy mercy only, hast vouchsafed to feed us sinners, Thy unworthy servants, with the precious Body and Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ.  And we humbly entreat Thy boundless mercy, Almighty and merciful Lord, that this Holy Communion may not bring guilt upon us to condemnation, but may be unto us for pardon and salvation.  Let it be to us an armour of faith and a shield of good resolution.  Let it be to us a riddance of all vices, an extermination of all evil desires and lusts, and an increase of love and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues; a sure defense against the wiles of our enemies, visible or invisible; a perfect quietening of all sinful impulses, fleshly or spiritual; a firm adherence to Thee, the one true God, and a blessed consummation of our end.  And we pray Thee that Thou wouldest vouchsafe to bring us sinners to that ineffable feast, where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Spirit, art to Thy saints true light, abundant fulfillment, and everlasting joy, and perfect happiness; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.     St. Thomas Aquinas

510—iv.

      Give unto me, O God, and unto all that have communicated this day in the divine mysteries a portion of all the good prayers which are made in heaven and earth; the intercession of our Lord, and the supplications of all Thy servants; and unite us in the bands of the common faith and a holy charity; that no interests or partialities, no sect