Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years
Religion
Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years
Prayers
Who can tell what a day may bring forth? Cause us, therefore, gracious
God, to live every day as if it were to be our last, for that we know
not but it may be such. Cause us to live so at present as we shall wish
we had done when we come to die. O grant that we may not die with any
guilt upon our consciences, or any known sin unrepented of, but that we
may be found in Christ, who is our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Let Thy Will Be Mine
O most merciful Lord, grant to me Thy grace, that it may be with me, and
labor with me, and persevere with me even to the end. Grant that I may
always desire and will that which is to Thee most acceptable, and most
dear. Let Thy will be mine, and my will ever follow Thine, and agree
perfectly with it. Grant to me, above all things that can be desired, to
rest in Thee, and in Thee to have my heart at peace. Thou art the true
peace of the heart, Thou its only rest; out of Thee all things are hard
and restless. In this very peace, that is, in Thee, the one Chiefest
Eternal Good, I will sleep and rest. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Praise
I will say unto my God, my Lord, and my King, “O how great is the
abundance of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that
fear Thee.” But what art Thou to those who love Thee? What to those who
serve Thee with their whole heart? In this especially Thou hast showed
me the sweetness of Thy love; that, when I was not, Thou madest me, when
I went far astray from Thee, Thou broughtest me back again, that I might
serve Thee, and hast commanded me to love Thee. I would I were able, at
least for one day, to do Thee some worthy service. Truly, Thou art my
Lord, and I Thy servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my might;
and this I wish to do, this I desire; and whatsoever is wanting unto me,
do Thou, I beseech Thee, vouchsafe to supply. Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
Thy Will Be Done
O Lord, Thou knowest what is best for us, let this or that be done, as
Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, and how much Thou wilt, and when
Thou wilt. Deal with me as Thou thinkest good, and as best pleaseth
Thee. Set me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as
Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things; for I
desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and Oh, that I could do
it worthily and perfectly! Amen.
—Thomas à Kempis
My Hope and Refuge
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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