THE LORICA OR BREASTPLATE OF ST. PATRICK
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the three in one and one in three.
I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith,
Christ’s incarnation; his baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb; his riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles, against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft, against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft, protect me, Christ, till your returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same, the three in one, and one in three,
Of whom all nature has creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.
A GENERAL PRAYER FOR ALL CONDITIONS OF PEOPLE
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people, that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by your 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 your fatherly goodness, all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; that it may pleased you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy passage out of all their afflictions: and this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF CHRIST’S CHURCH MILITANT HERE IN EARTH
Almighty and everliving God, who, by your holy Apostle, has taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all people; we humbly beseech you most mercifully to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto your Divine Majesty; beseeching you to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: and grant that all they that do confess your holy Name, may agree in the truth of your holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech you also to save and defend all Christian kings, princes, and governors; and especially your servants the rulers of these United States; that under them we may be godly and quietly governed; and grant unto all that are put in authority under them, that they may truly and indifferently administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of your true religion and virtue. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all the Ministers of your Gospel, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth your true and living word, and rightly and duly administer your holy Sacraments. And to all your people give your heavenly grace; and especially to this Congregation here present; that with meek heart and due reverence they may hear and receive your holy word, truly serving you in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. And we most humbly ask you of your goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all them who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. And we also bless your holy Name, for all your servants who departed this life in your faith and fear; beseeching you to give us grace to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of your heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH FROM THE DIDACHE
Remember, Lord, your Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it; for yours is the power and the glory forever. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR RULERS
Almighty and everlasting God, we are taught by your hold word that the hearts of the Princes of the earth are in your rule and governance, and that you dispose and turn them as it seems best to your godly wisdom; we humbly ask you to dispose and govern the hearts of the rulers of these United States, our governors, that in all their thoughts, words, and works, they may ever seek your honor and glory, and study to preserve your people committed to their charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father, for your dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A GENERAL SUPPLICATION OF BASIL THE GREAT
O Lord, the helper of the helpless, the hope of those who are past hope, the Savior of the tempest-tossed, the harbor of the voyagers, the physician of the sick; you know each soul and our prayer, each home and its need. Become to each one of us what we most dearly require, receiving us all into your kingdom, making us children of light, and pour on us your peace and love, O Lord our God. Amen.
A GENERAL SUPPLICATION OF CLEMENT OF ROME
We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us. Deliver the oppressed. Pity the insignificant. Raise the fallen. Show yourself to the needy. Heal the sick. Bring back those of your people who have gone astray. Feed the hungry. Lift up the weak. Take off the prisoners’ chains. May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus is your Child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture. Amen.
A PRAYER OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Lord God, of might inconceivable, of glory incomprehensible, of mercy immeasurable, of goodness ineffable; O Master, look down upon us in your tender love, and show forth, toward us and those who pray with us, your rich mercies and compassions. Amen.
TEACH US: AN OLD ANGLICAN PRAYER
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
THE TRINITY PRAYER OF ST. ETHELWOLD
May God the Father bless us, may Christ take care of us, the Holy Spirit enlighten us all the days of our life. The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul, both now and for ever, to the ages of ages. Amen.
FOR SANCTITY OF LIFE
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, Who are in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who came into the world to enlighten it: You were pleased to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of our souls by the power of Your All-Holy Spirit. O Master, Who came that we might have life more abundantly, we ask You to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception and that the unborn in the womb are already adorned with Your image and likeness; enable us to guard, cherish, and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For You are the Giver of Life, bringing each person from non-being into being, sealing each person with divine and infinite love. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through ignorance or willfulness, affront Your divine goodness and providence through the evil act of abortion. May they, and all of us, come to the light of Your Truth and glorify You, the Giver of Life, together with Your Father, and Your All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A GENERAL PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON
Hear us, Almighty and most merciful God and Savior; extend your accustomed goodness to this your servant who is grieved with sickness. Sanctify, we beseech you, your fatherly correction to them; that the sense of their weakness may add strength to their faith, and seriousness to their repentance: that, if it shall be your good pleasure to restore them to their former health, they may lead the remainder of their life in your fear, and to your glory: or else give them grace so to take your visitation, that, after this painful life ends, they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR PERSONS TROUBLED IN MIND OR IN CONSCIENCE
O blessed Lord, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts: we beseech you, look down in pity and compassion upon this your afflicted servant, whose soul is full of trouble. O merciful God, who has written your holy Word for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of your holy Scriptures, might have hope; give them a right understanding of themself, and of your threats and promises; that they may neither cast away their confidence in you, nor place it any where but in you. Give them strength against all their temptations, and heal all their distempers. Break not the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Shut not up your tender mercies in displeasure; but make them to hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. Deliver them from fear of the enemy, and lift up the light of your countenance upon them, and give them peace, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.