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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.

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