Composed Prayers - I
Collections from the Notes
I heard Austin Suggs once, in one of his videos, encourage his audience that, if one wants to be a good theologian, one should write prayers, for, as St. Evagrius said, “If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian.”
So during Lent this past year, I made it a goal to focus on doing just that. I tried to write a prayer every couple days at the least, and though I failed at this, I did write quite a few, which I published a notes.
Given that the design of notes is to fall over the waterfall and disappear, I’ve decided to collect those prayers and publish them together in one article, for those who missed them, and for ease of reference.
This Is volume 1 - for I do plan to continue composing prayers, both to sharpen my writing skills, and to become as much a theologian as a layman can be.
I hope you enjoy this collection.
Prayers I
Intercession of the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Lord and Helper, teach us to pray. In our weakness, intercede for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. For Daily Work Praise be to God our Father, Sovereign Lord; You have given work for my hands to do, by which you have ordained to provide for myself and my family; Blessed be your Holy Name. Gracious Lord, grant me strength today to so work as one in bondage to the command of Christ, that my labours may be found pleasing and acceptable in your sight, bringing glory to your Magnificent Name, and that of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who together with you are to be praised and worshipped for all Eternity. Amen. A Prayer of a Concerned Parent for a Child Beset with Physical or Psychological Ailment Oh Lord, our Heavenly Father, from whom every family in Heaven and Earth is named; Graciously hear my prayer, incline your ear to my supplication on behalf of my [child], [name]. You, being no stranger to the grief of a parent whose child is in anguish, even as you beheld your only son crucified and buried for our sake, take heed of my [child] in [his] [affliction]. Grant [him] the peace of Christ, through your Holy Spirit, that [he] may endure. Heal [him] of [his] malady, I humbly pray. And grant me, as his earthly [father], peace from my own anxiety on his account, and wisdom, that I may point him to his heavenly physician, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Acknowledging God in Stillness O my soul, be still and know that the Lord is God. Lord Jesus, my King and my God, draw near to me I pray. Incline your gaze upon your humble servant, and be present with me by your Spirit. O Holy Spirit, in the stillness and silence ferry unto me my Saviour’s words - the very thoughts of my God. Open my ears that I may hear; strengthen my hands that I may obey; illumine my eyes, that I may see my Father’s face. O my soul, worship and praise the God of creation, acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Amen. For the Aid of the Holy Spirit in Our Prayers Give glory to God our Father, and to Jesus Christ, his son and our Lord, who has risen to the Father’s right hand. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, to guide us in all righteousness and truth. Oh Holy Spirit, instruct us as to how we ought to pray, in the utterance of our souls, that the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, may be wholly acceptable in your hearing, and pleasing to your perfect Will. Amen. For Strength in Temptation Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, You who are not unable to sympathize with is in our weaknesses, but as a man was tempted like we are in every way, and yet are without sin; Mercifully grant us strength through your Holy Spirit to resist the temptations which so often beset us, and, by your grace, to stand firm in the trials, and overcome them that we may receive the crown of life, which is promised to those who love you. Lord have mercy upon us, and grant us your salvation, for your Name’s sake, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of the Father. Amen. For Contentment in Vocation Thanks be to God our Father, and to Jesus Christ our Lord, from whom come all good, and perfect gifts. You have given to me the wonderful vocation of [name the vocation]. O Holy Spirit, strengthen me against temptation, that I may not compare my vocation to those of others - which is to covet - nor desire to have one which you have not given - which is ungratefulness. Rather enable me, I pray, to carry out my labours in quiet contentment, as in service to my King, with all diligence and honour. To the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. A Parental Blessing on Their Children May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you, and give you peace. May he fill you with all wisdom and understanding, all humility and hope, all generosity and joy, all perseverance and patience, that you may be a blessing to everyone you meet. By faith, may you always know the love of Christ which pursues you all the days of your life, in the might of the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Preserve Us from Sin (Partly inspired by a prayer in the “St. Augustine’s Payer Book.”) Holy Spirit, preserve us today, we humbly ask, to keep us from all sin. Put a guard upon our minds, our eyes and ears, our mouths, and our hands, so that in all that we think, pay attention to, say and do, we may be able to glorify you. Lord Jesus, direct the paths of our feet, that our hearts may ever be inclined toward you. Heavenly Father, may it so be by your great mercy that our enemy may find in us nothing that is his, but all that is yours. Or, should ought of evil be found in us, by reason of our frailty, may your loving kindness, and gracious mercy, quickly blot it out. To the glory of your Holy Name, and of your son Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. For the Work of a Writer, Dedicating His Labour to God O Lord my God, guide my pen - my hand, my mind, my heart - This work to sow wonder bright, to forge a verse of art. O help, I pray, these humble words to honour and extol my God, my King, my Saviour - all! the very Lover of my soul. For Patience and forebearance in anger Oh Lord, our God and most merciful Father, you do not deal with us according to what our sins just deserve, but in your steadfast love and mercy, you pardon our transgressions for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour; Mercifully grant, by the power of your Spirit, release from the bondage of our own wrath, that in our anger we would not sin, but would be enabled to emulate your forbearance with us, in patient love, and a restrained tongue, that we may glorify your holy Name, and that of your Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. For the Living Sacrifice of Our Life O God, my God - Lord and King, I present myself to you, with naught to offer but that which you first gave me - my very life. Grant by your grace that this offering, even of my very life, may be a living, holy and pleasing sacrifice to you, wholly acceptable in your site, that, by all means, I may glorify your Name, and that of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. For Patience Heavenly and most merciful Father, grant us, by the power of your Spirit, to be filled with the good spiritual fruit. Especially we pray for the fruit of patience, that we may be strengthened to emulate Christ, being conformed to his image and likeliness in our sanctification, granting that we may hereafter live a righteous, sober, and godly life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen. A Bedtime Prayer Praise be to God our Father, Sovereign Lord, who closes our eyes in sleep, and gives rest to our bodies - blessed be your holy Name! We lay ourselves down and take our rest, because you alone makes us dwell in safety. O Heavenly Father, may your holy angels surround us, and guard us throughout the night, driving far from us all the weapons and snares of the enemy. O Holy Spirit, fill us with peace, and pleasant dreams, that we may have a deep and restful sleep, us and our children. Amen. A Parent’s Prayer of Thanks and Protection at a Child’s Bedtime Heavenly Father, thank you for my [son/daughter], [child’s name], this wonderful [mention here whatever positive adjectives you wish your child to know you see in them] child you have placed in my charge. May I be made worthy of so great a calling. May your holy angels, oh Lord, surround [him/her] and protect [him/her] all the night through. O Holy Spirit, fill [him/her] with peace, and pleasant dreams, that [he/she] may have a deep and restful sleep. Amen. Shrive and Dawn Lord Jesus, just and kind king of all creation - ever grant us gracious mercy, making speed to save us. Salve our hearts, hasten to help, hear our plea and prayer - purify and forge for yourself our souls made spotless and sure. Shrive us by your precious blood, break the bonds of Death! Draw Dawn to shine o’er shimm’ring Heaven, the herald of our Life!
Thanks for reading. May the Lord bless you.
These are lovely.
I'm getting major BCP vibes coming from all of these. I still like the first one based off the Hail Mary. Also love the Shrive and Dawn prayer which makes me think of the Fatima prayer, and the prayer for the work of a writer, of which this one is the coolest verse:
"O Lord my God, guide my pen -
my hand, my mind, my heart -
This work to sow wonder bright,
to forge a verse of art."