Saturday, August 21, 2010

This blog is becoming a repository of prayers, I think.

Here are some more of them which I've been using quite often, of late. These are great prayers, and I'm glad I found them because I am a grievous sinner who needs God's grace every moment. When I was still an Evangelical, I was good at extemporaneous prayer, but no longer am. These prayers, however, are teaching me to pray again. I hope other people find them beneficial, too.

A Prayer for Others
Traditional Old English

Extend from on high, O Lord, the saving strength of Thy right hand to all Thy faithful people, to Bishops, Abbots, Canons, Monks, Kings, and Rulers ; to my kindred, and to all who have commended themselves to my prayers, or who have assisted me. By Thy help may they seek after Thee with all their strength, and obtain what they worthily desire. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer Against Evil Thoughts
Traditional Old English

O Almighty and most loving God, mercifully regard my prayer and free my heart from the temptation of evil thoughts, so that I may become the worthy dwelling-place of Thy Holy Spirit. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker
Pope Saint Pius X

Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God; to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render to God of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch Saint Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity.

A Prayer for Grace
Traditional Old English

In Thy loving kindness incline Thine ears to our supplications, we pray Thee, O Lord. Do Thou, who art mindful of the prayers of those who seek Thee in secret, hear us in Thy mercy, so that by Thy help we may attain to eternal life. Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Traditional Old English

To Thee, my merciful God, do I offer my praise and thanks, who hast deigned to bring me to a knowledge of Thyself, and to admit me by the cleansing waters of holy baptism into the ranks of Thy adopted sons.

To Thee do I offer my praise and my thanks, who, in the inexhaustible patience of Thy mercy, hast waited from the earliest years of my youth unto this very hour, that I, who have swerved from Thy paths by my many vices, may amend my life.

I praise Thee and glorify Thee for that Thou hast oftentimes shielded me from calamity and misery by the right hand of Thy power, and hast saved me from eternal punishment and from the pains of this mortal body.

I praise and glorify Thee because Thou hast often helped me in much tribulation, in frequent dangers of death, and in deserved trouble.

I praise and glorify Thee because Thou hast deigned to bestow on me health of body, peace of life, with the love, affection, and charity of Thy faithful servants, and because whatsoever there be in me is the gift of Thy loving kindness. Amen.


*I added the phrase "to God" at this point.