For The Coming of Christ Kingdom

"Come, Lord Jesus! Renew us according to thy good
pleasure. Restore to thy Church the bond of unity; restore
the beauty of order; restore reverence for thy scepter; restore
fervor of spirit, that the kingdom of God, as in times
past, may suffer violence. Or if this last age is incorrigible,
remove the stage of the world, and commence that blessed
reign, when there shall be unity without distraction, order
without confusion, love without intermission, and God shall
be all in all, for ever and ever. Amen." (John Amos Comenius)

For True Humility|

O THOU Who in almighty power wast meek, and in perfect excellency wast lowly, grant unto us the same mind, that we may mourn over our evil will. Our bodies are frail and fading; our minds are blind and froward; all that we have which is our own is naught; if we have any good in us it is wholly Thy gift. O Saviour, since Thou, the Lord of heaven and earth, didst humble Thyself, grant unto us true humility, and make us like Thyself; and then, of Thine infinite goodness, raise us to Thine everlasting glory; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and for ever. Amen.
(Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, A.D. 1489-1556.)

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Preparation for Christ's Appearing|

Help us, O Lord, always to wait for Thee, and to watch for Thee, that at Thy coming again Thou mayest find us ready; for Thy sake we ask it. Amen (An Ancient Collect, A.D. 1033)

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For Pardon, Grace, and Guidance|

O THOU plenteous Source of every good and perfect gift, shed abroad the cheering light of Thy sevenfold grace over our hearts. Yea, Spirit of love and gentleness, we most humbly implore Thy assistance. Thou knowest our faults, our failings, our necessities, the dulness of our understanding, the waywardness of our affections, the perverseness of our will. When, therefore, we neglect to practice what we know, visit us, we beseech Thee, with thy grace, enlighten our minds, rectify our desires, correct our wanderings, and pardon our omissions, so that by Thy guidance we may be preserved from making shipwreck of faith, and keep a good conscience, and may at length be landed safe in the haven of eternal rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (St. Anselm, A.D. 1033)

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For a Clear Vision in Scientific Research|

TO God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, we pour forth most humble and hearty supplications, that He remembering the calamities of mankind, and the pilgrimage of this our life in which we spend our days, would please to open to us new consolations out of the fountain of His goodness for the alleviating of our miseries. We humbly and earnestly ask that human things may not prejudice such as are Divine, so that from the opening of the gates of sense, and the kindling of a greater natural light, nothing of incredulity or intellectual might may arise in our minds towards Divine mysteries; but rather, O Lord, that our minds being thoroughly cleansed, and purged from fancy, and yet subject to the Divine will, there may be given unto faith the things that are faith's, that so we may continually attain to a deeper knowledge and love of Thee, Who art the Fountain of Light, and dwellest in the Light which no man can approach unto; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Francis Bacon, A.D. 1561)

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Fellow Workers with God|

O ETERNAL Father, we believe that in Thy Son Thou art satisfied with our race. We believe that Thou has created us in Him, and that Thou lookest upon us as we really are, not as we are made by the unbelief which separates us from Thee and from our brethren. Only thus, do we find that peace which Thy Son left His disciples. We believe that in Christ Thou wilt restore all things. Use us, each one of us, we humbly bessech Thee, to work with Thee in Thy purpose of restoration, blotting out our sins, that we may serve Thee day by day with free hearts. Thy Free Spirit dwelling and working within us to Thy honor and glory. (The Rev. Frederick D. Maurice, A.D. 1805)

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For Faithful Service|

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, and enable us to redeem our time by patience and zeal; through Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen. (Bishop Westcott, A.D. 1825)

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For Preparedness |

O LORD Jesus Christ, Who hast promised to come again in like manner as Thou hast ascended into heaven, keep us, we bessech Thee, ever watchful for Thy glorious appearing. Help us to set our affections upon things above, not on things on the earth. May we live as those who wait for their Lord, that when thou shalt appear we may be made like unto Thee and see Thee as Thou art; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God , world without end. Amen. (The Rev. A. F. Thornhill, Nineteenth Century.)

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For Mercy and Deliverance |

Look down, O Lord our God, from the throne of Thy glorious Kingdom; look down upon us and destroy us not, yea rather deliver us from evil. From all evil and misfortune, deliver us. As of old time Thou didst deliver our fathers, deliver us. In all our straits, deliver us. From the evils of the world to come from Thine anger, from being placed on the left hand, deliver us, Spare us, O Lord. Have mercy upon us. Deliver us and let us never be confounded for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. (Bishop Andrewes, A.D. 1555-1626.)

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For a Realization of God's Good Providence |

O THOU Eternal, in Whose appointment our life standeth, Thou hast committed our work to us, and we would commit our cares to Thee. May we feel that we are not our own, and that Thou wilt heed our wants, while we are intent upon Thy will. May we never dwell carelessly or say in our hearts: "I am here, and there is none over me," nor anxiously as though our path were hid; but with a mind simply fixed upon our trust, and choosing nothing but the dispositions of Thy Providence. More and more fill us with that pity for others' troubles, which comes from forgetfulness of our own, and the glad hope of the children of eternity. And unto Thee, the beginning and the End, Lord of the living, Refuge of the dying, be thanks and praise for ever. Amen. (James Martineau, A.D., 1891.)

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For Heavenly-Mindedness |

TAKE from us, O God, the care of worldly vanities; make us content with necessaries. Keep our hearts from delighting in honours, treasures, and pleasures of this life, and engender in us a desire to be with Thee in Thy eternal Kingdom. Give us O Lord, such taste and feeling for Thy unspeakable joys in heaven, that we may always long therefor, and saying, with all Thy people, "Hasten Thy Kingdom, O Lord, take us to Thee"; for the sake of Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Arschbishop Grindal, A.D. 1519)

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For Enlightened Minds |

Grant now, O Lord, to our minds that they may ascend to thee from the difficulties of this world; that from the occupations here they may come to Thee.

With the opened eyes of our mind may we behold the noble fountain of all good! THOU ART THIS. Give us then a healthy sight to our understanding, that we may fasten it upon thee.

Drive away this mist that now hangs before our mental vision, and enlighten our eyes with thy light for Thou art the brightness of the true light. Thou art the soft rest of the just. Thou causest them to see it. Thou art the beginning of all things, and their end. Thou supportest all things without fatigue. Thou art the path and the leader, and the place to which the path conducts us. All men tend to Thee. (King Alfred 'The Great', 848-901)

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Prayers in Times of War |

O LORD, who lovest not the wrath and strife of men, and yet wouldest have Thy servants to contend earnestly for the Faith. Grant us so to labour in seeking Thy truth as never to forget to obey it. And so to contend for it as never to despise our brethren and cause them to offend; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Charles Marriott, A.D. 1811.)

O LORD God Almighty, Who from Thy Throne dost behold all the dwellers upon earth, look down with pity upon those on whom have fallen the miseries of war. Have compassion on the wounded and dying; comfort the brokenhearted: assuage the madness of the nations; make war to cease; give peace in our time, O Lord; we ask it in the Name of Him who is the Prince of Peace, even Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted.)

O THOU that slumberest not nor sleepest, protect, we pray Thee, our sailors from the hidden perils of the sea, from the snares and assaults of the enemy. In the anxious hours of waiting, steady and support those on whom the burdens of responsibility lie heavily; and grant that in dangers often, in watchings often, in weariness often, they may serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Archbishop Davidson, A.D. 1848-)

WE do instantly beseech Thee of Thy gracious goodness to be merciful to the Church militant here upon earth, and at this time compassed about with most strong and subtle adversaries.
OH let Thine enemies know that Thou hast received England, which they most of all for Thy Gospel's sake do malign, into Thine own protection. Set a wall about it, O Lord, and evermore mightily defend it. Let it be a comfort to the afflicted, a help to the oppressed, and a defence to Thy Church and people persecuted abroad. And, forasmuch as this cause is now in hand, direct and go before our armies, both by sea and land. Bless them and prosper them, and grant unto them honourable success and victory.
Thou art our help and shield. Oh give good and prosperous success to all those that fight this battle against the enemies of Thy Gospel. (Prayer of Queen Elizabeth before the Armada, A.D. 1588.)

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, we beseech Thee to give us rest from the storm of war, for Thou wilt bestow on us all good things if Thou givest us peace both of soul and body; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Leonine Sacramentary.)

DELIVER us from our enemies, we beseech Thee, and defend us from all dangers to soul and body, that at length we may come to Thine eternal rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (St. Bernard, A.D. 1091.)

HAVE mercy, O Lord, upon the wounded and the suffering. whether of our own people or of the enemy. Let Thy grace be their comfort, although natural friends be far away. Raise them to health, if it be good, but chiefly give them such faith and patience that they may glorify Thee upon the earth, and escaping the assaults of Satan, may rest in peace, and rise to partake of Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Rev. R. M. Benson, A.D. 1824.)

O LORD God of our Salvation, Who orderest all things by Thy unsearchable Wisdom, Thou hast been our merciful God from generation to generation. We have trusted in Thee, and we have been holpen. Without Thee the wisdom of the wise is vain, and the multitude of an host is weak. Vouchsafe to continue to us, O Lord, in such manner, Thy guidance and support, that the enemies of our peace may see that Thine Arm, stretched out to save, can crush the mightiest force, and bring to nought the most subtle designs of human policy: and that the man of earth, who lifteth up his banner against Thee, shall ever be humbled under Thy Almighty Hand. Hear us, O merciful God, for the sake and through the merits of our only Saviour, Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord. Amen, (A.D. 1798.)

O GOD Almighty. Lord of Hosts. look down we beseech Thee with favour upon our troops now engaged in war, and crown them with victory. Cover their heads in the day of battle., give them valour that comes of Faith, and the mercy which beseems Christian soldiers. Have compassion on those who suffer--the sick, the wounded, the dying-and the mourners for the fallen. Bring the war, if it please Thee, to a right and lasting peace; and overrule all things in this world of sin and sorrow, to the enlargement of Thy blessed Kingdom. for the sake of Him Who is our peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Archbishop J. D. Crozier, A.D. 1858.)

O GOD, Who never sleepest, and art never weary, have mercy upon those who watch to-night, on the sentry, that he may be alert; on those who command, that they may be strengthened with counsel; on the sick, that they may obtain sleep; on the wounded, that they may find ease; on the faint-hearted, that they may hope again: on the light-hearted, lest they forget Thee; on the dying, that they may find peace. on the sinful, that they may turn again. And save us, O good Lord. Amen. (Canon Newbolt, A.D. 1844.)

WE trust to the great Disposer of all events, and. to the justice of our cause. I thank God for this great opportunity of doing my duty. ([Admiral] Horatio Lord Nelson, A.D. 1758.)

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