A Prayer In Time of Pestilence or Any Affliction
“O Lord,
look mercifully on the affliction of your people.
Do not let our sins destroy us,
but let your abundant mercy prevail in saving us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O God,
you do not desire the death of sinners,
but that they return to you and live.
In your mercy, turn your people to yourself.
When they devote themselves to you
remove the scourge of your anger;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord,
mercifully drive the destructive fury of disease
away from your faithful people,
together with their own errors.
As you discipline them when they go astray,
protect them with your pity when they are brought back;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord,
answer our prayers
and mercifully turn away our affliction
that people may know
that these scourges both proceed from your righteous anger
and cease by your compassion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God,
with Fatherly tenderness
receive those who flee from you,
that those who dread the scourge
may rejoice in your forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord,
receive our prayers,
and do not enter into judgment with your servants.
No righteousness is found in us on which we could rely,
so we trust i you, the Fountain of Love,
both to be cleansed from our sins
and delivered from our distresses;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Found in The New Ancient Collects: Based on Ancient Collects and Other Prayers Selected for Devotional Use from Various Rituals by William Bright, Completely Revised and Refreshed by Paul C. Stratman (2017).
