Baltimore Book of Prayers/Occasional Prayers

The Te Deum, etc.

Baltimore Book of Prayers Occasional Prayers by [[Author:|]]

Vespers

For the Whole Church.

Defend us, O Lord (p. 137).

For all Orders of Ecclesiastics.

Almighty and Everlasting God (p. 137).

For the Pope.

O God, the Pastor (p. 137).

For Bishops, and the People committed to them.

Almighty and Everlasting God, who alone dost great wonders, send down upon Thy servants, and the congregations committed unto them, the spirit of Thy saving grace; and that they may truly please Thee, pour forth upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing.

For the Bishop of the Diocese.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy servant our Bishop, that, by preaching and doing such things as are right, he may by the example of good works edify the minds of those under his authority, and receive of Thee, most tender Shepherd, an everlasting recompense and reward.

For a Congregation or Family.

Defend, we beseech Thee.

For Preservation of Concord in a Congregation.

O God, the Giver of peace and Lover of charity, grant to Thy servants true concord and union with Thy holy will, that we may be delivered from all temptations which assault us.

Against the Persecutors of the Church.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the prayers of Thy Church; that, all adversities and errors being done away, we may serve Thee with a pure and undisturbed devotion.

In any Necessity.

O God, our refuge and strength (p. 784).

In any Tribulation.

O Almighty God, despise not Thy people who cry unto Thee in their affliction; but, for the glory of Thy name, turn away Thine anger, and help us in our tribulations.

In Time of Famine or Pestilence.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, an answer to our hearty supplications and graciously turn away from us this famine (or pestilence), that the hearts of men may know that these scourges proceed from Thine anger, and cease by Thy mercy.

For Rain.

O God, in whom we live, and move, and are, grant us seasonable rain; that, enjoying a sufficiency of support in this life, we may with more confidence strive after the things which are eternal.

For Fair Weather.

Hear us, O Lord, who cry unto Thee, and grant fair weather to us, Thy suppliant servants; that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may by Thy preventing pity find mercy.

For the gift of Tears.

Almighty and most Merciful God, who didst cause a fount of living water to spring out of a rock, for Thy people in their thirst: draw forth tears of compunction from our stony hearts; that we may weep over our sins, and by Thy mercy deserve to obtain pardon for the same.

For Forgiveness of Sins.

O God, who rejectest none that come unto Thee, but in loving-kindness art appeased even with the greatest sinners who repent: mercifully regard our prayers in our humiliation, and enlighten our hearts that we may be able to fulfil Thy commandments.

For the Tempted and Afflicted.

O God, who justifiest the ungodly, and willest not the death of a sinner: we humbly entrust Thy Majesty to protect Thy servants, who trust in Thy mercy, with Thy heavenly assistance, and preserve them by Thy continual protection; that they may constantly serve Thee, and by no temptation be separated from Thee.

Against Evil Thoughts.

Almighty and most Merciful God, graciously hearken unto our prayers: and free our hearts from the temptations of evil thoughts; that we may worthily become a fit habitation for Thy Holy Spirit.

For the gift of Continence.

Inflame, O Lord (p. 327).

For the gift of Humility.

O God, who resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, whereof Thine Only-begotten showed in Hmiself a pattern for Thy faithful; that we may never by our prideprovoke Thine anger, but rather by our meekness receive the riches of Thy grace.

For the gift of Patience.

O God, who didst crush the pride of the enemy by the long-suffering of Thine Only-begotten Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily recall those things which in His tender love He bore for us; and thus following His example may patiently endure all our adversities.

For the gift of Charity.

O God, who makest all things to work together for good unto those who love Thee; give to our hearts the lasting affection of Thy love; that such desires as are inspired by Thee may never be changed by any temptation.

For those at Sea.

O God, who didst bring our fathers through the Red Sea, and bear them through the great waters singing praises unto Thy name: we humbly beseech Thee to vouchsafe to turn away all adversities from Thy servants at sea, and to bring them with a calm voyage unto the haven where they should be.

For Heretics and Schismatics.

O Almighty and Everlasting God, who has compassion on all, and wouldst not that any should perish: favorably look down upon all those who are seduced by the deceit of Satan; that, all heretical impiety being removed, the hearts of such as err may repent and return to the unity of Thy truth.

For Jews.

O Almighty and Everlasting God, who repellest not from Thy mercy even the perfidious Jews: hear the prayer which we offer for the blindness of that people; that the light of Thy truth, Christ our Lord, being known to them, they may be delivered from their darkness.

For Pagans.

O Almighty and Everlasting God, who desirest not the death but the life of sinners: mercifully accept our prayers, and, delivering pagans from the worship of idols, unite them to Thy Church, to the praise and honor of Thy glorious name.

For our Friends.

O God, who, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, hast poured into the hearts of Thy faithful the gifts of charity: grant to Thy servants and handmaids, for whom we implore Thy mercy, health both of body and soul; that they may love Thee with all their strength, and cheerfully perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee.

For Enemies.

O God, the lover and preserver of peace and charity: grant unto al our enemies peace and true charity; give them remission of all their sins, and by Thy power deliver us from their snares.

Short Recommendation to God.

Into the hands of Thy unspeakable mercy, O Lord, I recommend my soul and body; my senses, my words, my thoughts, and all my actions, with al the necessities of my body and soul; my going forth and my coming in; my faith and conversation; the course and end of my life; the day and hour of my death; my rest and resurrection with the Saints and Elect.

For the Sick.

Almighty and Eternal God (p. 534)

For a Sick Person near Death.

Almighty and Merciful God, who has conferred upon mankind both the remedies of health, and the gifts of everlasting life: mercifully look upon this Thy servant who laboureth under sickness of body, and comfort the soul which Thou has created; that, freed from the stains of sin, he (or she) may, at the hour of departure, deserve to be presented unto Thee, his (or her) Creator by the hands of the holy Angels.

For the Dead.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer (p. 285).

Prayer before Study or Instructions.

Incomprehensible Creator, the true Fountain of light and only Author of all knowledge: vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to enlighten our understandings, and to remove from us all darkness of sin and ignorance. [Thou, who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, direct our tongues, and pour on our lips the grace of Thy blessing.] Give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the powerful assistance of Thy holy grace; that what we hear or learn we may apply to Thy honor and the eternal salvation of our own souls.

For a Husband or Wife.

O gracious Father, (p. 483). O merciful Lord (p. 483). O merciful God (p. 484).

Prayers of Parents, for themselves and for their Children.

Almighty God, the Father (p. 485).

O Father of mankind, who has given unto me these my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up for Thee, and to prepare them for everlasting life: assist me with Thy heavenly grace, that I may be able to fulfil this most sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear; make me gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful; and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and the excess of severity; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety, so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the company of the blessed Angels and Saints.

O Heavenly Father, I commend my children unto Thee. Be Thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world, to resist all solicitations to evil, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving Thee here, may come to rejoice in Thy presence hereafter.

A Child's Prayer.

O Almighty God, who hast given unto me my father and mother, and made them to be an image of Thine authority, and love, and tender watchfulness; and hast commanded me to love, and honor, and obey them in all things: give me grace cheerfully and with my whole heart to keep this Thy law. Help me to love them fervently, to honor them truly, to yield a ready obedience to their commands, to comply with their wishes, to study their happiness in everything, and to bear their rebukes with patience and humility. Deliver me, O God, from pride, rebellion, and wilfulness, from passion and stubbornness, from sloth and carelessness. Make me diligent in all my duties and studies, and patient in all my trials; that so living, I may deserve to be Thy child, who art our Father in Heaven.

For Choosing a State of Life.

O Lord, I beseech Thee to grant me Thy divine light, that I may know the designs of Thy providence concerning me, and that, filled with a sincere desire for my soul's salvation, I may say, with the young man in the Gospel: What must I do to be saved? All states of life are before me; but, still undecided what to do, I away Thy commands, I offer myself to Thee without restriction, without reserve, with a most perfect submission.

Far be it from me, O Lord, to oppose the order of Thy wisdom, and, unfaithful to the inspiration of Thy grace, to strive to subject the will of the Creator to the caprice of the creature. It is not for the servant to choose the way in which he will serve his master: do Thou lay upon me what commands Thou pleasest. My lot is in Thy hands. I make no exception, lest perchance what I except be that which Thoug willest, and because I am too short-sighted to discover in the future the different obstacles I shall meet with, if, without Thy guidance, I make myself the arbiter of my own conduct. Speak, Lord, to my soul; speak to me as Thou didst to the youthful Samuel: Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth. I cast myself at Thy feet, and I am ready, if it be Thy will, to sacrifice myself as a victim to Thee for the remainder of my days, in such wise as Thou shalt deem most worthy of Thy greatness.

O my God, inspire the affections of my parents, and guide their projects according to the counsels of Thy wisdom. Lord, I sincerely desire to consult Thee who art the Eternal Truth; grant that my parents also may submit themselves to its decrees, faithfully and without reserve.

In Times of Threatened Calamity.

O Jesus Christ, we call upon Thee, Holy, Immortal God. Have mercy upon us and upon al men. Purify us by Thy holy Blood, forgive us by Thy holy Blood, save us by Thy holy Blood, now and forever, Amen.

For Civil Authorities.

We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God (p. 61).

Baltimore Book of Prayers A Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI

For all Things Necessary to Salvation

Composed by Pope Clement XI, A.D. 1721

O my God, I believe in Thee: do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou secure them. I love Thee; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.

Vouchsafe, O my God, to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done, because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, O my God, to expiate my offences, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.

Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, courteous to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by almsdeeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my deportment regular.

Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy commandments, and to work out my salvation,

Discover to me, O my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death; that may fear Thy judgments, escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.