Pastor’s Prayers

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it.

I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.

I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor.

I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you.

In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.

I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.

I am a sinner; you are upright.

With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness.

Therefore I will will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.

Amen.

–Martin Luther

Grant, Almighty God, that as we set up against thee so many obstacles through the depravity of our flesh and natural disposition, that we seem as it were to be designedly striving to close up the door against thy goodness and paternal favour, O grant, that our hearts may be so softened by thy Spirit, and the hardness which has hitherto prevailed may be so corrected, that we may submit ourselves to thee with genuine docility, especially as thou dost so kindly and tenderly invite us to thyself, that being allured by thy sweet invitation, we may run, and so run as not to be weary in our course, until Christ shall at length bring us together to thee, and, at the same time, lead us to thee for that eternal life, which he has obtained for us by his own blood. Amen.

–John Calvin

Alone with none but thee, my God,

I journey on my way.

What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day?

More safe am I within thy hand

Than if a host did round me stand.

–Columba

Read more at: http://www.faithandworship.com/early_Christian_prayers.htm#ixzz5JPZKA7Zo 
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution 

O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore You,
a heart to delight in You,
to follow and to enjoy You,
for Christ’s sake.

–St. Ambrose of Milan

Breathe in me,  O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that  my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what  is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me,  then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

–Augustine

Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness
in your abundant compassion
blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt;
from my sin cleanse me.
 
For I know my offense;
 my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
 I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
 blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty,
 a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
 in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
 
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
 wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
 let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins;
 blot out all my guilt.
 
A clean heart create for me, God;
 renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
 nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
 sustain in me a willing spirit.
 
I will teach the wicked your ways,
 that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
 that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
 my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
 a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
 God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
 
–Psalm 51:3-19 (Prayer for Repentance)