Famous Anglican Prayers

A General Thanksgiving

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks

for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people;

We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for your inestimable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,

for the means of grace,

and for the hope of glory.

And we beseech you, give us that due sense of all your mercies,

that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,

and that we show forth your praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives;

by giving up ourselves to your service,

and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,

world without end. Amen.

 

A Collect for Grace.

O LORD our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God,

who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day:

Defend us in the same with your mighty power;

and grant that this day we fall into no sin,

neither fall into any kind of danger;

but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance,

to do always that is righteous in your sight;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

A General Confession

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father,

We have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep,

We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts,

We have offended against your holy laws,

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,

And we have done those things which we ought not to have done,

And there is no health in us:

But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders;

Spare them, O God, which confess their faults,

Restore them that are penitent,

According to your promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord:

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,

That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,

To the glory of your holy Name. Amen.

 

An Evening Collect

O GOD, from whom all holy desires,

all good counsels,

and all just works do proceed;

Give unto your servants that peace which the world cannot give;

that both our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,

and also, that by you we being defended from the fear of our enemies

may pass our time in rest and quietness;

through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

 

A Prayer for all Conditions of people

O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind,

we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men;

that you would be pleased to make thy ways known unto them,

thy saving health unto all nations.

More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church;

that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit,

that all who profess and call themselves Christians

may be led into the way of truth,

and hold the faith in unity of spirit,

in the bond of peace,

and in righteousness of life.

Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those,

who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate;

[especially those for whom our prayers are desired;]

that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them,

according to their several necessities,

giving them patience under their sufferings,

and a happy issue out of all their afflictions.

And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.

 

Dedication

Eternal God and Father,

by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed:

guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,

that we may give ourselves to your service,

and live this day in love to one another and to you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Protection

O God,

who knows us to be set in the midst

of so many and great dangers

that by reason of the frailty of our nature

we cannot always stand upright:

grant us such strength and protection,

as may support us in all dangers

and carry us through all temptations;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Evening Prayer

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord; we pray:

and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;

for the love of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

 

Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wickedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

 

Scripture

Blessed Lord,

who hast caused all holy Scriptures

to be written for our learning:

Grant that we may in such wise hear them,

read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,

that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word,

we may embrace, and ever hold fast

the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.