“After this manner therefore pray ye: ‘Our Father which art in heaven…'”
Mt. 6:9
“I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which he would answer me…”
Job 23:4-5
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Order of Contents
On the Wisdom of Using Forms at Times for Help in Prayer
The Best
Collections of Prayers
Preparation for Public Prayer
Of Confession
Of Illumination
Petitions
About the Lord’s Supper
Family Prayers
Prayer on the Lord’s Prayer
Everyday Prayers
About Sickness
For a Fast
Prayers of Dying Men
For Children
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On the Wisdom of Using Forms at Times for Help in Prayer
Charles W. Baird
Eutaxia [Good Order], or, The Presbyterian Liturgies: Historical Sketches (New York, 1855), Introduction, pp. 4-12. We do not endorse every sentiment in this book; it was controversial in its own day. The word ‘liturgy’ is simply being used in the below quote and on this webpage as meaning an order of service.
“Are her ministers interdicted [banned from] the use of sound and well-conceived formularies; and are they shut up to the necessity of original composition for the most solemn, difficult, and trying function of their office, without even the right of previous preparation for the task?
There is in the Church of Christ a rich and copious literature of devotion, accumulated by the consecrated labors of many ages. Holy men of prayer have been gifted at some periods, as few can claim to be now, with elevation of thought and language necessary for the adequate expression of devout feeling… Are we in less favored days, debarred from the fruits of these high spiritual endowments? Do ecclesiastical rules exclude us from the use of the best liturgical compositions [‘No’], and force us to rely on our individual resources of conception, however crude, and meager, and immature we may find them?
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…The language of our theologians is yet more clear and unmistakable:
‘We are very far from pronouncing, or even thinking… that it is unlawful to conduct prayer, either public or private, by a form. We should deem such a sentence or opinion altogether erroneous. There is no reason to doubt that many a truly fervent and acceptable prayer has been offered in this manner. Some of the most excellent men that ever adorned the Church of Christ have decisively preferred this method of conducting the devotions of the sanctuary, and have no doubt found it compatible with the most exalted spirit of prayer.
We only contend that such forms are not indispensable, as some contend, to orderly and edifying prayer… And that to impose forms of prayer at all times, and upon all persons who publicly minister in holy things, and to confine them to the use of such forms, is by no means either desirable or wise.’
– The Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D., late Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, in his work on ‘Public Prayer,’ pp. 138-9
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There are favored spirits, to whom the want of help in the language of devotion is unknown. Endowed with spiritual fluency, akin to the free utterance of a disembodied state, they pour forth in unpremeditated strain, ‘The gushing thoughts that struggle to have way.’
These are the gifted sons of the Church: for them nothing herein contained is meant. Let them pass by, without rebuke, the means which they do not require; charitably conceding, that there may be sincerity among less fortunate worshippers, whose unready thought and slow speech justify them in borrowing suggestions and expressions from others.”
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The Best
Short
Swinnock will light you up.
Swinnock, George †1673
‘A Good Wish about Religious Duties in General’ in Works, vol. 1, pp. 104-5
‘A Good Wish about Prayer’ in Works, vol. 1, pp. 137-140
‘A Good Wish about the Word’ in Works, vol. 1, pp. 170-171
‘A Good Wish about the Lord’s Supper’ in Works 1:218-222
‘A Good Wish about the Lord’s Day’ in Works 1:255-258
‘A Good Wish to the Lord’s Day’ in Works 1:258-60
‘A Good Wish about Natural Actions’ in Works 1:285-88
‘A Good Wish about Particular Callings’ in Works 1:316-19
‘A Good Wish about the Calling of a Minister’ in Works 1:319-29
‘A Good Wish about the Government of a Family’ in Works 1:356-62
‘A Good Wish about the Duty of a Parent’ in Works 1:428-37
‘A Good Wish to the Duties of a Son or Daughter in Relation to their Father and Mother’ in Works 1:458-464
‘A Good Wish of a Christian Couple’ in Works 1:481-87
‘A Good Wish about a Husband’s Duty’ in Works 1:497-502
‘A Good Wish about the Duties of a Wife’ in Works 1:522-28
‘A Good Wish about the Master’s Duties’ in Works 2:22-29
‘A Good Wish about the Duty of a Servant’ in Works 2:42-45
‘A Good Wish of a Christian in Prosperity’ in Works 2:74-82
‘A Good Wish of a Christian in Adversity’ in Works 2:140-161
‘A Good Wish of a Christian in Relation to his Dealings with All Men’ in Works 2:220-37
‘A Good Wish of a Christian about the Choice of his Companions’ in Works 2:267-279
‘A Good Wish Concerning a Christian’s Carriage in Evil Company’ in Works 2:315-330
‘A Good Wish about a Christian’s Carriage in Good Company’ in Works 2:377-403
‘A Good Wish about the Exercising Ourselves to Godliness in Solitude’ in Works 2:454-85
‘A Good Wish about the Christian’s Carriage on a Weekday from Morning to Night’ in Works 2:510-25
‘A Good Wish about the Visitation of the Sick’ in Works, 3:24-37
‘A Good Wish about the Christian’s Exercising Himself to Godliness on a Dying Bed’ in Works, 3:69-89
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Medium Length
Calvin, John – ‘Almighty God, heavenly Father, we acknowledge and humbly confess…’ in Forms of Prayer for the Church in ‘Forms of Prayer’ in Tracts, vol. 2
One of the most moving prayers; it has been used as the opening prayer in the weekly Lord’s Day service in the Dutch Reformed Church through much of her history.
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Book
Henry, Matthew – Method for Prayer 1714 590 pp.
Grow in your closeness to our holy God in prayer immediately. This is the best book there is in learning how to pray well, with feeling, in scriptural form, balance and appropriateness.
The whole book is composed of extended prayers, using scripture language. Flip anywhere inside it and start praying. ‘If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.’ 1 Pet. 4:11
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Collections of Prayers
Early Church
Augustine – Certain Godly Meditations made in the Form of Prayers, by St. Augustine, which if thou wilt read them quietly with a fervent spirit, they will stir thee much to devotion in The Pomaunder of Prayer, newly made by Thomas Becon (London, 1561)
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1500’s
Calvin, John – ‘Several Godly Prayers’ & Forms of Prayer for the Church in ‘Forms of Prayer’ in Tracts, vol. 2
Knox, Church of Scotland – The Service, Discipline and Form of the Common Prayers and Administration of the Sacraments, used in the English Church of Geneva: as it was approved by that most reverend divine, Mr. John Calvin, and the Church of Scotland (1564; 1641) 188 pp.
Becon, Thomas – Prayers & Other Pieces (Parker Society)
Becon (c. 1511–1567) was an English cleric and chaplain to Edward VI.
Bull, Henry – Prayers & Meditations (Parker Society)
Bull (†1577) was a reformed, English, theological writer, now remembered as an ally of John Foxe (remembered for Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) in documenting the history of his times.
Private Prayers put forth by Authority during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth (Parker Society, 1851)
Bradford, John – IV. Prayers, V. Private Prayers & Meditations, VII. Meditations & Prayers & Appendix in The Writings of John Bradford, vol. 1: Sermons Meditations, Examinations (Parker Society)
Bradford (1510–1555) was an English Reformer, prebendary of St. Paul’s, and martyr under Bloody Mary, known for his words to John Leaf at the stake: “Be of good comfort brother; for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night!”
Smith, Henry – Certain Godly and Zealous Prayers in The Sermons of Mr. Henry Smith, vol. 2 (London, 1866), pp. 422-440
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1600’s
Bolton, Robert – Certain Devout Prayers of Mr. Bolton upon Solemn Occasions (London, 1638)
Henderson, Alexander – Sermons, Prayers and Pulpit Addresses Buy ed. by R. Thomson Martin (1867)
This has collection has many of Henderson’s discourses and prayers not elsewhere found.
Donne, John – Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, and Several Steps in My Sickness: Digested Into I. Meditations Upon Our Human Condition. 2. Expostulations, and Debatements with God. 3. Prayers, Upon the Several Occasions, to Him (London: 1624)
Donne (1572-1631) was a famous poet and English cleric in the Church of England. PRDL lists him as reformed. This work is composed of 23 devotions. Each one is followed by a section of ‘Expostulations’ and then a prayer.
Featley, Daniel – Ancilla Pietatis [Pious Helps]: or, The Handmaid to Private Devotion, Presenting a Manual to Furnish her with necessary principles of faith. Forcible motives to a holy life. Useful forms of hymns and prayers (1626)
Featley (1582-1645) was an English, episcopal controversialist and Westminster divine.
Horneck, Anthony – The Exercise of Prayer: or, A Help to Devotion Being a supplement to the happy ascetic, or best exercise. Containing prayers and devotions, suitable to the respective exercises with additional prayers for several occasions (London, 1685)
Horneck (1641-1697) was a reformed, German clergyman and scholar who made his career in England. He became an influential evangelical figure in London from the later 1670’s.
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1700’s
Ostervald, Jean Frédéric – The Liturgy Used in the Churches of the Principality of Neuchatel [Switzerland], with a Letter from the Learned Dr. Jablonski Concerning the Nature of Liturgies, to which is added the Form of Prayer Lately Introduced into the Church of Geneva (London, 1712)
Ostervald (1663-1747) had enlightenment tendencies in this thought, and was a name known in his own day along with J.A. Turretin. The prayers seem orthodox.
Jenks, Benjamin
Meditations upon Various and Important Subjects: and Short Prayers Annexed, vol. 1, 2 (d. 1732; London, 1793) Each volume has 100 meditations; there is a prayer after each meditation. The table of contents to both volumes is at the beginning of the first volume.
Jenks (bap. 1648-1732) was a reformed Anglican.
Prayers and Offices of Devotion for Families and for Particular Persons, upon Most Occasions (d. 1732; Albany, 1817) See also the edition ‘altered & improved’ by Charles Simeon.
Doddridge, Philip
The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul (1749; New York, 1828) A prayer concludes each chapter
1. ‘A Prayer for the Success of this Work in Promoting the Rise and Progress of Religion’
2. ‘The Meditation of a Sinner who was once Thoughtless, but Begins to be Awakened’
3. ‘A Prayer for one who is Tempted to Delay Applying to Religion, though under some Conviction of its Importance’
4. ‘The Confession of a Sinner Convinced in General of his Guilt’
5. ‘The Meditation of a Convinced Sinner, giving up his vain pleas before God’
6. ‘The Reflection of a Sinner, Struck with the Terror of his Sentence’
7. ‘The Lamentation of a Sinner in this Miserable Condition’
8. ‘The Sinner’s Reflection on this Good News’
9. ‘The Sinner Deliberating on the Expediency of Falling in with this Method of Salvation’
10. ‘The Sinner Yielding to these Entreaties, and Declaring his Acceptance of Salvation by Christ’
11. ‘A Prayer in Behalf of an Impenitent Sinner, in the Case Just Described’
12. ‘Reflections on these Encouragements, ending in an humble and Earnest Application to Christ for Mercy’
13. ‘The Soul Submitting to Divine Examination the Sincerity of its Repentance and Faith’
14. ‘A Prayer, chiefly in Scripture Language, in which the Several Branches of the Christian Temper are more Briefly Ennumerated in the order laid down above’
15. ‘An Humble Supplication for the Influence of Divine Grace, to Form and Strengthen Religion in the Soul’
16. ‘The Soul, Alarmed by the Sense of these Difficulties, Committing itself to Divine Protection’
17. ‘An Example of Self-Dedication’
18. ‘A Prayer for One who Earnestly Desires to Approach the Table of the Lord, yet has some Remaining Doubts concerning his right to that solemn ordinance’
19. ‘A Serious View of Death, Proper to be taken as we lie down on our beds’
20. ‘A Prayer Suited to the State of a Soul, who Desires to Attain the Life Above Recommended’
21. ‘The Young Convert’s Prayer for Divine Protection Against the Danger of these Snares’
22. ‘A Prayer for one under Spiritual Decays’
23. ‘A Prayer for one who has fallen into gross Sin, After Religious Resolutions and Engagements’
24. ‘An Humble Supplication for One under the Hidings of God’s Face’
25. ‘A Humble Address to God under the Pressure of Heavy Affliction’
26. ‘The Christian Breathing Earnestly after Growth in Grace’
27. ‘The Grateful Soul Rejoicing in the Blessings of Providence and Grace, and pouring out itself before God in vigorous affectionate Exercises of Love and Praise’
28. ‘The Established Christian Breathing after more extensive Usefulness’
29. ‘The Meditation or Prayer of a Christian whose heart is warmed with these Prospects’
30. ‘A Meditation, or Prayer, suited to the Case of a Dying Christian’
Dalrymple, William – ‘Short Prayers from the Psalms’ & ‘Short Prayers from the Paraphrases & Hymns [Songs in the Bible]’ in Family Worship Explained and Recommended in Four Sermons, from Josh. 24:15… to which are added specimens of short prayers from the Psalms... (The Author, 1787), pp. 93-245
Dalrymple (1723-1814) was a reformed minister and moderator of the Church of Scotland, though he was accused of expressing questionable views of the Trinity.
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1800’s
Palmer, Samuel – A Collection of Family Prayers: with various occasional forms from the devotional writings of sundry authors (d. 1813; Springfield, Mass.: 1818) There is no table of contents.
Palmer (1741-1813) was reformed.
‘Scriptural & Other Occasional Prayers’ & ‘Collects’ in A Book of Public Prayer, Compiled from the Authorized Formularies of Worship of the Presbyterian Church as Prepared by the Reformers Calvin, Knox, Bucer and Others, with Supplementary Forms (New York, 1857), pp. 259-349
The forms of service and forms of prayer in this work are generally based on those of the reformers and other later documents, but are not particularly sourced close enough in order that one may be confident as to their exact historical accuracy. The Appendix gives the general source details for each section. The collects, or short prayers adapted to particular occasions, were taken from the Church of England’s 1689 Book of Common Prayer.
The compilers had an obvious predilection for liturgical restraint, as opposed to liberty for free-prayer, which was present to some extent in the reformers’ services, though was more characteristic of the directories of the puritan period and of American presbyterianism. Service books such as this were making their rise and being pushed in America in the mid to late-1800’s by a minority in order to more liturgicize American presbyterianism, which we do not consider to have been a good trend.
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Preparation for Public Prayer
Article
Newton, John – ‘Public Prayer’
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Book
Miller, Samuel – Thoughts on Public Prayer Buy 1849 324 pp.
Helpful practical advice for those who lead in public prayers, especially for ministers.
We should study prayer, not for the purpose of artificiality, but so that we can better articulate our own thoughts and desires, contour our prayers most fittingly to our and other’s circumstances, and to express a greater range and depth of Biblical and godly sentiment, and thus grow in expressing the Will of God.
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On Confession of Sin
Calvin in Geneva
‘Confession’ being the opening prayer in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 33-34. A famous prayer used in many reformed liturgies after Calvin; see the footnote on p. 33.
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For Illumination
Calvin in Geneva
‘For Illumination’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 35-36
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Petitions
Calvin in Geneva
‘Intercession’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), p. 36
‘For Pastors’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 37-38
‘For All Conditions of Men’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), p. 38
‘For Afflicted Persons’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), p. 39
‘For Persecuted Christians’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 39-40
‘For the Congregation’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), p. 40
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About the Lord’s Supper
1500’s
Calvin in Geneva
‘The Invocation’ in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 49-50
Pastoral Exhortation to the Congregation
‘Exhortation’ in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 51-55
‘Thanksgiving’ in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 56-57
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1600’s
Horneck, Anthony – The Crucified Jesus, or, A Full account of the Nature, End, Design and Benefits of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper with necessary directions, prayers, praises and meditations to be used by persons who come to the Holy Communion (London, 1695) A prayer concludes each chapter. For the titles to the chapters see the table of contents.
Horneck (1641-1697) was a reformed, German clergyman and scholar who made his career in England. He became an influential evangelical figure in London from the later 1670’s.
See especially:
Ch. 27
Part 1, ‘Of the Proper Acts of Devotion, when we come to the Holy Table’
Ch. 28, ‘Of the proper Acts of Devotion, after we have Received’
Brevint, Daniel – ‘The Prayers’ in The Christian Sacrament and Sacrifice: by way of discourse, meditation, and prayer upon the nature, parts, and blessings of the Holy communion, 4th ed. (d. 1695; J. Walthoe, 1757), pp. 117-136
Brevint (bap.1616-1695) was a reformed Anglican. Very moving and poignant Scriptural imagery and sentiments.
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1700’s
Beveridge, William
The Great Advantage and Necessity of Public Prayer and Frequent Communion Designed to Revive Primitive Piety, with Meditations, Ejaculations, and Prayers, before, at, and after the Sacrament (London, 1709)
‘Private Devotions Preparatory to the Sacrament, or on Any Days of Humiliation’, pp. 113-115
‘Private Devotions at the Administration of the Holy Communion’, pp. 115-122
Beveridge was a reformed Anglican.
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Family Prayers
Perkins, William – ‘[Two] Prayers for Private Households at all Times’ appended to Death’s Knell: or, The Sick Man’s Passing-bell, summoning all sick consciences to prepare themselves for the coming of the great day of doom, lest mercy’s gate be shut against them… (London, 1628)
Alleine, Joseph – ‘A Collection of Prayers for Families’ appended to An Admonition to Unconverted Sinners, In a Serious Treatise… (London, 1793), pp. 159-212
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Prayer on the Lord’s Prayer
Ussher, James – ‘A Brief Prayer upon the Lords Prayer’ in The Protestant School, or, A Method, Containing Several Forms of Prayer, psalms, lessons, thanksgivings, and graces for the bringing up and well grounding children and elder persons in the Protestant religion (London, 1681)
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Everyday Prayers
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In General
Ussher, James – ‘Ejaculations on Several Occasions’ in The Protestant School, or, A Method, Containing Several Forms of Prayer, Psalms, Lessons, Thanksgivings, and Graces for the bringing up and well grounding children and elder persons in the Protestant Religion (London, 1681)
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1700’s
Watts, Isaac – ‘Prayer for the Gift & Grace of Prayer’ through Ejaculatory Prayers from the Scriptures’ in Aids to Devotion, in Three Parts: Including Watts’s Guide to Prayer, 2nd ed. (B. Perkins, 1845), pp. 300-324
Whitefield, George – ‘Prayers on Various Occasions’ in Nine Sermons Upon The Following Subjects: To which are annexed, Several Prayers on various Occasions (Oxford, 1742), pp. 257-285
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For Morning
Calvin
‘Prayer for the Morning’ in Several Godly Prayers in Tracts, vol. 2
Dent, Arthur – ‘A Morning Prayer to be used in Private Families’ in The Plain Man’s Pathway to Heaven (Belfast, 1859), pp. 313-320
Gouge, William – ‘Morning Prayer for a Family’ at the end of A Short Catechism wherein are briefly laid down the fundamental principles of Christian religion... (London, 1616)
Ussher, James – ‘A Prayer for the Morning’ in The Protestant School, or, A Method, Containing Several Forms of Prayer, psalms, lessons, thanksgivings, and graces for the bringing up and well grounding children and elder persons in the Protestant religion (London, 1681)
Liturgy of the Reformed Dutch Church (in America)
‘The Morning Prayer’ in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 61-62. Slightly modified from Calvin
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For School
Calvin, John – ‘Prayer on Preparing to go to School’ in Several Godly Prayers in Tracts, vol. 2
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For Rulers
Calvin, John – ‘For Rulers’ in The Form of Church Prayers, as found in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 36-37
Byfield, Adoniram – ‘A Prayer for the King and Parliament, fit to be used by all good Christians daily in their Houses’ being appended to A Letter sent from a worthy divine to the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor of the city of London being a true relation of the battle fought between His Majesty and His Excellence the Earle of Essex… (London, 1642)
Byfield (†1660) was a non-voting scribe at the Westminster Assembly.
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At Meals
Calvin, John
‘Blessing at Table’ in Several Godly Prayers in Tracts, vol. 2
‘Thanksgiving After Meat’ in Several Godly Prayers in Tracts, vol. 2
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For Evening
1500’s
Calvin
‘Prayer at Night for Going to Sleep’ in Several Godly Prayers in Tracts, vol. 2
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1600’s
Dent, Arthur – ‘An Evening Prayer to be used in Private Families’ in The Plain Man’s Pathway to Heaven (Belfast, 1859), pp. 321-327
Gouge, William – ‘Evening Prayer for a Family’ at the end of A Short Catechism wherein are briefly laid down the fundamental principles of Christian religion... (London, 1616)
Fuller, Thomas – ‘Mr. T.F., his Prayer’ in The Poems and Translations in Verse: (including fifty-nine hitherto unpublished epigrams) of Thomas Fuller, D. D., and his much-wished Form of Prayer (d. 1661; Liverpool, 1868)
Fuller (c.1607-1661) was a reformed Anglican.
Ussher, James – ‘A Prayer for the Evening’ in The Protestant School, or, A Method, Containing Several Forms of Prayer, Psalms, Lessons, Thanksgivings, and graces for the bringing up and well grounding children and elder persons in the Protestant religion (London, 1681)
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1700’s
Liturgy of the Reformed Dutch Church (in America)
‘The Evening Prayer’ in Baird, Eutaxia (New York, 1855), pp. 62-65. Slightly modified from Calvin
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About Sickness
Draxe, Thomas
The Sick-Man’s Catechism, or pathway to Felicity… (London, 1618)
‘A Prayer to be Used of a Sick-man’
‘A Thanksgiving to be Used of a Sick-man if he Recover’
Draxe (-1618) was an English, reformed puritan.
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Prayers for a Fast, Pestilence, War & Calamities
Calvin, John – ‘Almighty God, heavenly Father, we acknowledge and humble confess…’ in Forms of Prayer for the Church in ‘Forms of Prayer’ in Tracts, vol. 2 One of the most moving prayers; it has been used as the opening prayer in the weekly Lord’s Day service in the Dutch Reformed Church through much of history.
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Miscellaneous Prayers
Dent, Arthur – ‘A Prayer to be Used at Anytime by One in Private’ in The Plain Man’s Pathway to Heaven (Belfast, 1859), pp. 328-332
Pits, John – A Prayer or Supplication made unto God by a young man that he would be merciful to us, and not keep his word away from us, but that the truth may spring (London, 1559) on Ps. 119:9
Janeway, James – ‘Prayers to be Used by Seafaring Men’ in A Token for Mariners… (London, 1708), pp. 148 ff. (unnumbered pages)
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Prayers of Dying Men
King Edward VI – The Prayer of King Edward VI, which he made the 6th of July, Anno. 1553, and 7th of his reign, three hours afore his death, to himself, his eyes being closed, and thinking none had heard him. The sixteenth year of his age… (London, 1553)
Baron Stourton, Charles – A Prayer said by the Lord Sturton being on his knees before he went up the ladder, and also his confession before his death the 6th day of March in the year of our lord God, 1557 (London, 1557) Stourton was being put to death for giving a commandment to have certain men murdered; he prays for forgiveness.
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Prayers for Children
Willison, John – ‘Forms of Prayer for Children’ in The Mother’s Catechism for the Young Child, or, A Preparatory Help for the young and the ignorant, in order to their easier understanding the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, together with historical questions out of the Bible and Forms of Prayer for Children (Montreal, 1800), pp. 15-16
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Related Pages