Grant unto us that with all our hearts, and minds, and strength we may evermore seek Thy face; and finally bring us in Thine infinite mercy to Thy holy presence. So strengthen our weakness that, following in the footsteps of Thy blessed Son, we may obtain Thy mercy, and enter into Thy promised joy. Grant these petitions for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Holy Spirit, world without end. unity of the Amen. ALCUIN. MOST GRACIOUS FATHER, who, dwelling on high, in the light which no man can approach unto, art attentive unto the prayers of Thy children still sojourning on earth, we pray that Thy holy name may be so made known throughout the world, that all men, seeing Thy grace and goodness, and their own unworthiness, may glory only in Thee, who art the only source and centre of glory. And, seeing that we have constantly to strive against the world, the flesh, and the devil, we earnestly entreat Thee, that Thy kingdom may come; and that as in heaven all things worship and serve Thee, so, on earth, Thy Spirit may reign within our hearts, making us to receive Thee joyfully as our King, and so to attain to peace and blessedness. And as in heaven, where Thou dwellest, there is no will contrary to Thine, so may we, and all Thy creatures upon earth, gladly obey Thy commands; knowing that what Thou willest is always good, and that nothing can be good but that which pleaseth Thee. And since we depend wholly for temporal things on Thy kind and bounteous Providence, be pleased, O Thou good and tender Father, to take care of us, and give us, as Thou shalt see fit, whatsoever our necessities require. But chiefly, and before all other things, do Thou feed our souls with spiritual food; with food convenient for us; whether of milk, if Thou seest it best, or of strong meat, for those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The meat, O heavenly Father, that giveth life indeed, is the knowledge of Thee and of Thy dear Son, sent unto us in Thy holy Scriptures, and by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, so that we may grow up unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. This is that bread which cometh down from heaven, of which, if a man eat, in verity and truth, he shall live for ever. Vouchsafe to bestow some portion of Thy heavenly bread upon us day by day, that the hunger and thirst for earthly things may diminish in us continually. And, although as long as we dwell in mortal flesh we sin daily, through our natural infirmity, still let us not fall from Thy grace and favour, but strengthen us, that we may continue in that peace which Thy Son Jesus Christ has made for us by the blood of His cross. Grant, also, that we, remembering how Thou hast mercifully pardoned our misdeeds, may frankly forgive all who trespass against us, and may maintain constant peace and charity among ourselves. Finally, knowing how our adversary the devil ceaseth not in his efforts to draw us back again into his bondage, we cry unto Thee to keep us from his assaults, and so to preserve us in the fellowship of Thy dear Son, that we may |