A Sojourner's Quest

9 6 / A S O J O U R N E R ’ S Q U E S T

Prayers 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, before A.D. 700 S. E. Fox. A Chain of Prayer across the Ages . p. 173. O God, of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favourably on thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and, by the tranquil operation of thy perpetual providence, carry out the work of man’s salvation, and let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through him from whom they took their origin, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Gelasian Sacramentary. Trans. William Bright. Suter. T he Book of Ancient Collects . p. 154.

O most loving Father, Who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of Thee, and to cast all our care on Thee, Who carest for us, preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide us from the light of that Love which is immortal, and which Thou has manifested unto us in Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Dr. William Bright, A.D. 1861. S. E. Fox. A Chain of Prayer across the Ages . p. 187.

O Good Shepherd of our souls, without whom we are uncertain, inconstant and prone to wander: cause us to know thy voice, that henceforth when thou callest us by name, we may not hold back, but straightway arise to follow in thy steps. And, let thy rod so defend us and thy staff comfort us, that none shall be able to pluck us out of thy hand; but that with thy whole Flock, we may safely walk in the path where thou has gone before us, until thou dost bring us to thy Fold in the heavenly places, for thy name’s sake. Amen. ~ Missa de Infirmis . Ferguson. Prayers for Public Worship . p. 62.