Part 1

PRAYERS of the MIDDLE AGES

Light from a Thousand Years

Edited by J. MANNING POTTS

THE UPPER ROOM The World’s Most Widely Used Devotional Guide 1908 Grand Avenue Nashville 5, Tennessee

Second Printing

© Copyright, 1954 by The Upper Room Nashville, Tennessee

UR-79-25-5-0962 Printed in the United States of America

Preface

This is a companion volume to the Prayers of the Early Church. That little volume has been started on its way and the editor has been encouraged to do this one on the Prayers of the Middle Ages.

The period covered by these prayers is that of a thousand years from A.D. 500 to A.D. 1500. Generally speaking, the period is from the fall of Rome to the Reformation. This period was formerly called the Dark Ages. Evidence of the lack of light has been found in the lack of material in some of the centuries. It has been hard to find any prayers in a few. However, taken collectively, it is seen that there was much light that came out of these ages. The Church was kept alive by those who kept the light burning. The latter half of this period is now called the Golden Age of Mysticism.

The arrangement of the prayers is century by century. There are some questions about dates of these as well as authorship. The authorities do not always agree.

We are indebted to many collections of prayers and to other sources. Some of the books which have been most valuable are _Prayers of the Ages_, compiled by Caroline S. Whitmarsh; _Of the Imitation of Christ; Great Souls at Prayer_, arranged by Mrs. Mary W. Tileston; _The Cloud of Witness_, by Hon. Mrs. Gell; _Prayers_, from the collection of the late Baron Bunsen; _A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages_, compiled by Selina Fitzherbert Fox; _Prayers We Love to Pray_, arranged by Edward Leigh Pell; _Morning Readings_, compiled by Frank M. Rich; _Prayers of the Saints_, by Cecil Headlam; _Prayers Ancient and Modern_, compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston; _Ancient Collects_, by Rev. William Bright; _Prayers_, Massachusetts Council of the Church Service League; _Theologia Germanica_; _The Cloud of Unknowing_; _His Words of Admonition_ and _Praises of God_, by St. Francis of Assisi; _Common Prayers for Family Use_, by Westcott.

The main purpose of this little volume is for individual and family devotions. However, it is found that prayers like these are read in worship services, in prayer cells, and prayer meetings. Young people’s and women’s groups constantly make use of them. This little book is recommended for all types of worship services and for use in church bulletins. Many other ways will be found to use them.

The editor wishes to acknowledge his deep debt of gratitude to the late lamented Dr. J. Minton Batten, professor of church history in Vanderbilt University, and to Miss Clarice Winstead, secretary to the editor, for their invaluable service in compiling this book of prayers.

J. Manning Potts Editor, The Upper Room Nashville, Tennessee

Contents

PAGE SIXTH CENTURY 7 Gregory the Great, Gregorian Sacramentary, Ancient Collects, Columba SEVENTH CENTURY 15 Mozarabic Breviary, Mozarabic Liturgy, Mozarabic Sacramentary EIGHTH CENTURY 31 Venerable Bede, Alcuin, Gallican Collect, A Gallican Sacramentary, Theodore Studita NINTH CENTURY 37 Dionysius of the Syrian Jacobite Church, John Scotus Erigena, Alfred the Great, Old Rheims Manuscript TENTH CENTURY 41 Anonymous, Ethelwold of York, Dunstan of Canterbury ELEVENTH CENTURY 45 Anselm, Sarum Breviary, Roman Breviary TWELFTH CENTURY 61 Bernard of Clairvaux, Dan Jeremy THIRTEENTH CENTURY 65 Francis of Assisi, Richard of Chichester, Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventura, Richard Rolle FOURTEENTH CENTURY 73 Johannes Tauler, Thomas Bradwardine, Ludolphus of Saxony, Raymond Jordanus, Theologia Germanica FIFTEENTH CENTURY 77 Thomas à Kempis, Michelangelo

SIXTH CENTURY PRAYERS

For Forgiveness

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of Thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, and Advocate. Amen.

—Gregory the Great

For Easter Sunday Giving

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 to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with Him, in the joy of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregory the Great

For Mercy

O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

Collect

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For Grace and Power

O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For the World

Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, fill the world with Thy glory, we pray Thee, and show Thyself, by the radiance of Thy light, to all the nations of the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For Morning

Almighty God who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

A Litany for Strength Against Sin

O God, who didst wonderfully create and more wonderfully redeem mankind, grant us with steadfast mind to resist the allurements of sin that we may attain to the joys of everlasting life.

_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For Bishops and Pastors

O God, who rulest over Thy people with fatherly love, give the spirit of wisdom to all who have received from Thee authority of government, that the welfare of Thy people may turn to the everlasting joy of their pastors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For the Defense of Christ’s Church

O Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy Church and household continually in Thy true religion, that they who do lean only upon the hope of Thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by Thy mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For Forgiveness and Deliverance

O Christ, our Creator and Redeemer, Almighty Lord God, forgive the sins of all who are joined to us by friendship and relationship, all for whom we are desired to pray, or have resolved to pray, and all Thy faithful people. Deliver us all from evil, preserve us in all good, and bring us at last to everlasting joy; for Thine honour and glory. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For All in Special Need of Protection

O God, who willest not the death of a sinner, protect with Thy heavenly aid those persons who may now be exposed to special temptations; and grant that in the fulfilment of Thy commandments they may be strengthened by the assistance of Thy grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

For Love

O God, who by the grace of the Holy Ghost hast poured the gifts of love into the hearts of Thy faithful people, grant unto all Thy servants in Thy mercy health of body and soul, that they may love Thee with all their strength, and with perfect affection fulfill Thy pleasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

Epiphany

Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, who didst bring the Gentiles to Thy light, and made known unto them Him who is the true Light, and the bright and morning Star, fill, we beseech Thee, the world with Thy glory, and show Thyself by the radiance of Thy light unto all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Gregorian Sacramentary

Prayer for Pardon

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst give Thy life for us that we might receive pardon and peace; mercifully cleanse us from all sin, and evermore keep us in Thy favour and love, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

—An Ancient Collect

For the Loving Care of the Good Shepherd

O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou, good Shepherd of the sheep, who camest to seek the lost, and to gather them to Thy fold, have compassion upon those who have wandered from Thee; feed those who hunger, cause the weary to lie down in Thy pastures, bind up those who are broken in heart, and strengthen those who are weak, that we, relying on Thy care and being comforted by Thy love, may abide in Thy guidance to our lives’ end; for Thy name’s sake. Amen.

—An Ancient Collect

For Light

O Thou who art the Sun of Righteousness and the Light Eternal, giving gladness unto all things; shine upon us both now and for ever, that we may walk alway in the light of Thy countenance; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—An Ancient Collect

For Rest

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the work and the changes of this fleeting world may rest upon Thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—An Ancient Collect

For Morning

O God, who hast folded back the mantle of the night to clothe us in the golden glory of the day, chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts, and make us glad with the brightness of hope, that we may effectively aspire to unwon virtues, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—An Ancient Collect

For Love and Light

O Lord, give us, we beseech Thee, in the name of Jesus Christ Thy Son our God, that love which can never cease, that will kindle our lamps but not extinguish them, that they may burn in us and enlighten others. Do Thou, O Christ, our dearest Saviour, Thyself kindle our lamps, that they may evermore shine in Thy temple, that they may receive unquenchable light from Thee that will enlighten our darkness, and lessen the darkness of the world. Lord Jesus, we pray Thee give Thy light to our lamps, that in its light the most holy place may be revealed to us in which Thou dwellest as the Eternal Priest, that we may always behold Thee, desire Thee, look upon Thee in love, and long after Thee, for Thy sake. Amen.

—Columba

SEVENTH CENTURY PRAYERS

A Litany on the Passion

Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, grant pardon, grant remission:

_And have mercy graciously._

Thou who, coming to save the world, wert brought to judgment, when Thou comest as Judge, deliver us not up with the ungodly:

_And have mercy graciously._

Thou, who wert hung upon the Cross, bear on Thy shoulders the death due to our guilt:

_And have mercy graciously._

Thou who didst once suffer for the ungodly, and diest no more, mortify our vices in us, and heal us by the wound of the Cross:

_And have mercy graciously._

That in the judgment Thy face may not be turned on us for punishment, but may shine on us with pardon:

_And have mercy graciously._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary[1]

A Litany on the Passion

O good Shepherd, who didst lay down Thy life for the sheep, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._

O everlasting Power and Wisdom of the most high God, Thou Word of the Father, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._

O Thou Maker of the world, the Life of all, the Lord of angels, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._

O Lamb of God, who for us wert led as a sheep to the slaughter, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._

O Thou who wert seized, thou guiltless, buffeted, given over to robbers, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._

Thou who alone hast by Thy death overcome the death of our guilt, remember us:

_Be propitious, and have mercy upon us._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary

A Litany for Forgiveness

We cry to Thee, O Lord, do Thou have mercy upon us:

_And grant forgiveness._

O King of heaven, and everlasting Lord, receive the prayers which we pour forth:

_And grant forgiveness._

Visit the sick—bring forth captives, help the widow and the orphan:

_And grant forgiveness._

We have sinned and have departed from Thee, do Thou, who art the Redeemer of all, save us:

_And grant forgiveness._

Have mercy on the penitent, and wash away the stains of sin:

_And grant forgiveness._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary

A Litany of Repentance

Turn away, O Lord, the fierceness of Thy wrath, and in pity spare Thy people:

_And have mercy._

Grant a favourable and speedy answer to the prayers of all, we beseech Thee:

_And have mercy._

Do Thou, O Christ, look upon our groanings, loose the bands of death, and grant us life:

_And have mercy._

Behold our tears—consider our sighs, and now at length in pity forgive our sins:

_And have mercy._

Though none of us be worthy to be heard, do Thou, O Christ, for Thine own self help us:

_And have mercy_. Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary

A Litany for Personal Dedication

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the ineffable joy of Christians, take away from us whatever is not Thine, and make us Thine in all things.

_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary

A Litany Against Temptation

Raise up Thy power, and come to deliver us, O Lord our God; that as we are overwhelmed by the storms of temptation so we may be raised up by the aid of Thy strength.

_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Breviary

For Pardon

O God, the Son of God—so loving, yet hated—so forbearing, yet assaulted unto death—who didst show Thyself so gentle and merciful to Thy persecutors; grant that through the wounds of Thy passion our sins may be expiated, and as in Thy humiliation Thou didst suffer death for us, so now, being glorified, bestow on us everlasting brightness. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Illumination

O glorious, holy, almighty God, who being ever pitiful to the manifold wanderings of mankind, didst doubtless for this end guide the Magi, who dwelt in dark superstition, by the light of a star to Thy sacred cradle, that Thou mightest kindle all men who were walking in their own errors with the desire of knowing Thee; kindle us also, we pray Thee, with the saving ardour of love for Thee, that we who have already known Thee by Thy gracious illumination, may be enabled to cleave to Thee for ever. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

Confession

Hear our prayer, O Lord, and listen to our groanings, for we acknowledge our iniquities, and lay open our sins before Thee. Against Thee, O God, have we sinned; to Thee we make our confession, and implore forgiveness. Turn Thy face again, O Lord, upon Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thine own blood. Spare us, we pray Thee, and vouchsafe pardon to our sins, and be pleased to extend to us Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

Daily Morning Prayer

Let our prayer, O Lord, come before Thee in the morning. Thou didst take upon Thee our feeble and suffering nature; grant us to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain; that reaching the even-tide without any temptation, we may praise Thee the Eternal King: through Thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed and dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Firm Faith

Arise, O Lord, who judgest the earth; and as Thou dwellest in and possessest the faith of all nations, suffer us not to abide in darkness; and grant that we may not lay the foundations of our faith on the sand where the whirlwind may overthrow them, but be established on the rock which is steadfast in Thee. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Christ’s Companionship

Jesus, our Master, do Thou meet us while we walk in the way, and long to reach the Country; so that, following Thy light, we may keep the way of righteousness, and never wander away into the darkness of this world’s night, while Thou, who art the way, the truth, and the life, art shining within us; for Thine own name’s sake. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Joy and Peace in the Daily Walk

Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain; that reaching the eventide victorious over all temptation, we may praise Thee, the eternal God, who art blessed, and dost govern all things, world without end. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

“For the Peace of God, which Passeth All Understanding”

O God who art Peace everlasting, whose chosen reward is the gift of peace, and who hast taught us that the peacemakers are Thy children, pour Thy peace into our souls, that everything discordant may utterly vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Light and Love

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, and the brightness of Thy Spirit illumine our inward souls, that He may kindle our cold hearts, and light up our dark minds; who abideth evermore with Thee in Thy glory. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Heavenly Light

O God, with whom is the well of life, and in whose light we see light, increase in us, we beseech Thee, the brightness of divine knowledge, whereby we may be able to reach Thy plenteous fountain; impart to our thirsting souls the draught of life, and restore to our darkened minds the light from heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For the Church

Hear us, O God of our salvation, Thou hope of all the ends of the earth, and in Thy strength, set fast as the mountains, the outposts of Thy power, and strongholds of lofty virtues. On Thee we rely for gifts of aspiration, whereby to ascend to the summit of all blessedness; that Thy Church, as it extends to all corners of the world, may soar in faith, may rest in hope, and rise to the full height of charity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

Christmas

O God, to whom glory is sung in the highest, while on earth peace is proclaimed among men of goodwill; grant that same 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. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Rightful Recognition of God, “The Giver of All Good Things”

O God, who, by making the evening to succeed the day, hast bestowed the gift of repose on human weakness, grant, we beseech Thee, that while we enjoy those timely blessings we may acknowledge Him from whom they come, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Sanctification

O Christ our God, who wilt come to judge the world in the manhood which Thou hast assumed, we pray Thee to sanctify us wholly, that in the day of Thy coming our whole spirit, soul, and body may so revive to a fresh life in Thee, that we may live and reign with Thee for ever, to Thine honour and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, ever one God. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

Repentance

Let Thy Spirit, O Lord, come into the midst of us, and washing us with the pure water of repentance, prepare us to be always a living sacrifice unto Thee; who livest and reignest, ever world without end. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Direction

May the infinite and glorious Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, direct our life in good works, and after our passage through this world, grant to us eternal rest with the righteous. Grant this, O Eternal and Almighty God. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For the Sick and Suffering

O Christ our Lord, who art the Physician of salvation, grant unto all who are sick the aid of heavenly healing. Look upon all faithful people who are sick and who love to call upon Thy name, and take their souls into Thy keeping, and vouchsafe to deliver them from all sickness and infirmity; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For New Year

O Thou who art ever the same, grant us so to pass through the coming year with faithful hearts, that we may be able in all things to please Thy loving eyes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For the Holy Spirit

O Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who with the Father and the Son abidest one God, descend this day into our hearts, that while Thou makest intercession for us, we may with full confidence call upon our Father; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Perseverance

Look upon us and hear us, O Lord our God; and assist those endeavours to please Thee which Thou Thyself hast granted to us; as Thou hast given the first act of will, so give the completion of the work; grant that we may be able to finish what Thou hast granted us to wish to begin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Guidance and Protection

Be Thou, O Lord, our protection, who art our redemption; direct our minds by Thy gracious presence, and watch over our paths with guiding love; that among the snares which lie hidden in the path wherein we walk, we may so press onwards with hearts fixed on Thee, that by the track of faith we may come to be where Thou wouldest have us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

For Rulers and the Nations

O heavenly Father, we bend the knee before Thee on behalf of all kings, princes, and governors of this world, beseeching Thee to grant unto them by Thy inspiration, to rule in righteousness, to rejoice in peace, to shine in piety, and to labour for the well-being of the people committed unto them, so that, by the rectitude of the government, all faithful people may live without disturbance in the knowledge of Thee, and labour without hindrance for Thy glory. Amen.

—Mozarabic Liturgy

At Evening

O Lord God, the Life of mortals, the Light of the faithful, the Strength of those who labor, and the Repose of the dead, grant us a tranquil night free from all disturbance; that after an interval of quiet sleep, we may, by Thy bounty, at the return of light, be endued with activity from the Holy Spirit, and enabled in security to render thanks to Thee. Amen.

—Mozarabic Sacramentary

Litany for True Worship

O God, who hast bidden us to worship Thee in spirit and in truth, shadow us with the power of Thy Holy Spirit—let Thy mercy and the promised grace of Thy salvation come upon us, that our prayer may be directed unto Thee by Him, through whom we believe our sins to be forgiven.

_We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord._ Amen.

—Mozarabic Sacramentary

Good Friday