PRAYERS IN WAR TIME

Traditional Prayers, Page 4

A PRAYER FOR FULFILLING THE WORD OF GOD

Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and continue with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire that which is most acceptable to Thee, and which pleases Thee best.
Let Thy will be mine, and let my will always follow Thine and agree perfectly with it. Let me always will or not will the same with Thee: and let me not be able to will or not will otherwise than as Thou will or will not. Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world and, for Thy sake, love to be despised, and not to be known in the world. Grant that I may rest in Thee above all things desired, and that my heart may be at peace in Thee.

Thou art the true peace of the heart. Thou art its only rest. Outside of Thee, all things are hard and uneasy.

In this peace, in the self-same that is in Thee, the one sovereign eternal Good, I will sleep, and I will rest. Amen. [Imitation of Christ, Book 3]

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe in Thee; hear us on behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we humbly ask the help of Thy mercy, that being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Holy Church.

PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR

O God, Who bringeth wars to nought and doth shield by Thy power all who hope in Thee, overthrowing those who assail them; help Thy servants who implore Thy mercy to seek thy will that they may act justly, and then that the fierce might of their enemy may be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee.

O God, Who hast dominion over all realms and all kings, Who by striking heals, and by pardoning saves: stretch out over us Thy mercy, so that by Thy power we may enjoy peace and tranquility and use them for our healing and amendment.

Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE

O God, from Whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works; give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be disposed to obey Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being removed, our times, by Thy protection, may be peaceful. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, and ever. Amen.
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O God, the author and lover of peace, Who knowest whom is to live, Thou Who doth reign, shield Thy suppliants from all assaults, so that we who trust in Thy protection may fear no foe. Amen.

A PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE GRACE OF A DEVOUT LIFE

Grant me, O merciful God, to desire eagerly, to investigate prudently, to acknowledge sincerely, and to fulfil perfectly those things that are pleasing to Thee, to the praise and glory of Thy holy Name.

Do Thou, my God, order my life; and grant that I may know what Thou wilt have me to do; and give me to fulfil it as is fitting and profitable to my soul.

Grant me, O Lord my God, the grace not to faint either in prosperity or adversity, that I be not unduly lifted up by the one, nor unduly cast down by the other. Let me neither rejoice nor grieve at anything, save what either leads to Thee or leads away from Thee. Let me not desire to please anyone, nor fear to displease anyone save only Thee.

Let all things that pass away seem vile in my eyes, and let all things that are eternal be dear to me. Let me tire of that joy which is without Thee, neither permit me to desire anything that is outside Thee. Let me find joy in the labor that is for Thee; and let all repose that is without Thee be tiresome to me.

Give me, my God, the grace to direct my heart towards Thee, and to grieve continually at my failures, together with a firm purpose of amendment.

O Lord my God, make me obedient without gainsaying, poor without despondency, chaste without stain, patient without murmuring, humble without pretense, cheerful without dissipation, serious without undue heaviness, active without instability, fearful of Thee without abjectness, truthful without double-dealing, devoted to good works without presumption, ready to correct my neighbor without arrogance, and to edify him by word and example, without hypocrisy.

Give me, Lord God, a watchful heart which shall be distracted from Thee by no vain thoughts; give me a generous heart which shall not be drawn downward by any unworthy affection; give me an upright heart which shall not be led astray by any perverse intention; give me a stout heart which shall not be crushed by any hardship; give me a free heart which shall not be claimed as its own by any unregulated affection.

Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, an understanding that knows Thee, diligence in seeking Thee, wisdom in finding Thee, a way of life that is pleasing to Thee, perseverance that faithfully waits for Thee, and confidence that I shall embrace Thee at the last. Grant that I may be chastised here by penance, that I may make good use of Thy gifts in this life by Thy grace, and that I may partake of Thy joys in the glory of heaven: Who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen (St. Thomas Aquinas).

PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH

Almighty and merciful God, Who bestowest on mankind the remedies of health and the gifts of life everlasting: look mercifully upon us Thy servants, and refresh the souls which Thou hast made, that, at the hour of their going hence, they may be found worthy to be presented without stain of sin to Thee, their Maker, by the hands of the holy Angels. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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