Prayers of the Middle Ages: Light from a Thousand Years
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
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.
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Preface
Contents
SIXTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Forgiveness
For Easter Sunday Giving
For Mercy
Collect
For Grace and Power
For the World
For Morning
A Litany for Strength Against Sin
For Bishops and Pastors
For the Defense of Christ’s Church
For Forgiveness and Deliverance
For All in Special Need of Protection
For Love
Epiphany
Prayer for Pardon
For the Loving Care of the Good Shepherd
For Light
For Rest
For Morning
For Love and Light
SEVENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
A Litany on the Passion
A Litany on the Passion
A Litany for Forgiveness
A Litany of Repentance
A Litany for Personal Dedication
A Litany Against Temptation
For Pardon
For Illumination
Confession
Daily Morning Prayer
For Firm Faith
For Christ’s Companionship
For Joy and Peace in the Daily Walk
“For the Peace of God, which Passeth All Understanding”
For Light and Love
For Heavenly Light
For the Church
Christmas
For Rightful Recognition of God, “The Giver of All Good Things”
For Sanctification
Repentance
For Direction
For the Sick and Suffering
For New Year
For the Holy Spirit
For Perseverance
For Guidance and Protection
For Rulers and the Nations
At Evening
Litany for True Worship
Good Friday
Easter
For Spiritual Illumination
A Good Example
Evening
EIGHTH CENTURY PRAYERS
A Petition
For the Spirit of Truth
For Cleansing
For Illumination
To Be Set Free
For a Friend Before a Journey
For Christian Graces
For Help to All
For Mercy
NINTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Unity
For Help
For Strength and Guidance
An Acknowledgment of God’s Supremacy
For Forgiveness
TENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Benediction
For a Birthday
Confession and Prayer for Forgiveness
Dying Words
ELEVENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
For Pardon, Grace, and Guidance
For the Afflicted and Distressed
For Blessedness
For Our Friends
For Heavenly-Mindedness
For the Presence of the Holy Spirit
For Zeal
For Union with God
For Holy Week
For Perfection
For Absent Friends
For Strength and Power
For Enlightenment
In Time of Trouble
For Whitsunday (Pentecost)
For Holy Week
For Spiritual Gladness
For Acceptable Service
For Light
For Grace and Deliverance
For the Spread of Christ’s Kingdom
For Deliverance from Sin
For Brotherly Kindness
For Health
For Grace to Walk in Holiness
A Prayer for Today
Supplication
For Divine Control
For a Knowledge of God’s Will
For Increased Love Toward God
For Peace
For Defense from Evil
For Assistance in Temptation
For Protection
For Loyal Service
For Purified Lives
For Strength
For the Prisoner
TWELFTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Need for Heavenly Refreshment
Delight in Christ
For Grace
THIRTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace
The Daily Prayer of St. Francis
Praise
For the Knowledge of God’s Will
Thanksgiving
Praise and Guidance
For the Brothers
For Thy Love
Thanksgiving
Daily Prayer
For Steadfastness
For Love of Jesus
For Pardon, Purity, and Grace
FOURTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
Times of Anxiety
For Love of God
A Memorial of the Resurrection
For Heavenly-Mindedness
Self-Renunciation
The God We Love
FIFTEENTH CENTURY PRAYERS
The Quiet Hour
For Faithful and Prepared Lives
Let Thy Will Be Mine
Praise
Thy Will Be Done
My Hope and Refuge
For Others
To Do Thy Will
My Salvation and My Redemption
For the Holy Spirit
For Thee, O Lord
For Consolation
For Trust in Thee
For the Comforter
For Love of God and His Laws
For Consecration
For Friends
For Thy Spirit
FOOTNOTES
INDEX
Transcriber’s Notes
