St. Aethelwold's Prayer

 

The “Chronicle of Abingdon” preserves some old material, most notably, a Prayer composed by St. Aethelwold of Winchester [+984], for the protection fo Abingdom Abbey, before going to Winchester in 963. It is as follows:

“O Eternal God, before Whose Sight the Angels are present, and through Whose Command all things are governed, do Thou protect, O Lord, I beseech Thee, this place which was built in Thy Name and of Blessed Mary, and through the Virtue of Thy Name may the force of enemies nad the shadow of phantoms and the assaults of winds, the bolt of lighting, the damaging clap of thunder, the disaster of tempests and every blast of storms – may these all pass us by. Moreover, O Lord, I beseech Thee that fire not consume this house, nor a spiteful man destroy it through arrogance; but, rather, O Merciful God, protect and govern it; and may it grow fat in the manifold abundance of its fruits, so that all those dwelling in it may hymn Thee in voice and heart, and may magnify Thy Name in sweet harmony; and may Thy Blessing descend upon them and upon this place and remain there forever. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages. Amen.”

Prayer to the Mother of God from 9th Century Winchester Prayer Book

 "For thou, after God, art the right way for the erring, the life of the dying, the hope of those in danger, the haven of the storm-tossed, rest for the toiling, a spring for the thirsty, the consolation of the sad, the mediatress between God and man, the most blessed Virgin and the most fruitful Mother and safest support of Christians, guardian and mainstay of those who have recourse to thee, readiest and soundest defence of Christians. For I know and I truly know that in thee is the true medicine of the infirm, the recovery of the despairing, O deliverer of men, Most Blessed Mother of my Lord, most pious consoler of the afflicted and most prompt support of the failing, who alone wast made the door of Life, alone swept away the dangers of life, alone suckled the Price of life. In thee is our refuge, in thee our consolation, thou art the restoration of our life. Receive, I implore, my prayer and offer it to the Lord my God, because thy prayer is more powerful than every prayer, thy prayer is more acceptable than every prayer, thy request is more pleasing that all sacrifice." [Prayer to the Mother of God from Anglo-Saxon Winchester Prayer Book]

Prayer for Protection of Soul at Death

"O Only-Begotten Son of God, Who Art Ever to me an Impregnable Protection, my Guard that never sleeps, my Defence that never fails: O Christ, Who in Heaven Art the Stay of the Angels, be now and for ever my Propitiator with the Father. O Mediator between God and man, I beseech Thee, through Thy Passion and the Redemption of Thy Life-Giving Cross, that when Thou shalt please to call me from this world, Thou wilt send the Angels of Peace to guard my soul and conduct it to the place of rest, and enable it to pass unscathed through the ranks of the rulers and powers of darkness. And, O Jesus Christ my Lord, may all who in that hour pray and plead for me find the ears of Thy Mercy open to their cries." [8th Century Royal Mercian Prayer Book; Prayer 14 of the Series of 23 Prayers]

https://www.bl.uk/eblj/2004articles/pdf/article1.pdf

http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Royal_MS_2_A_XX

From the Book of Cerne

 From the Book of Cerne [i.e. the personal prayer book of Bishop Aedeluald, in the early 9th century]

The Holy Prayer
O Lord God of Virtues, Possessor of Heaven and Earth, Master and Creator. O King of kings, and Lord of lords, Thou Who Art Exalted above all nations and Thy Glory above the Heavens; I commend my soul into the Hand of Thy Power, that Thou mightest guard it in days, nights, hours, and moments! O Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim! Intercede ye for me that I might be worthy to have eternal life! I beseech that I may come through words, through thoughts, through deed, O Lord Jesus Christ, hear Thou me, and have mercy on me, Thou Who Reignest unto the ages of ages. Amen.
https://books.google.com/books?id=rfU_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA139#v=onepage&q&f=false

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

 

O Holy Michael, Archangel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, thou who dost come unto the aid of the people of God! Assist me a sinner in the presence of the Highest Judge, that He may give me the forgiveness of my sins on account of His Great Mercy, and of His Great Loving-Kindnesses. Do thou hear me, O Holy Michael, calling upon thee, and help me, adoring the Majesty of God, and do thou cause to cease my weeping; by thy graces and intercessions make me pure from all my sins. Furthermore I beg thee, the bright and beautiful servant of the Highest Divinity, that on the last day thou mayest kindly receive my soul unto thy most holy bosom, and mayest thou lead it unto the place of refreshment, light, and peace; where the souls of the saints, with rejoicing and ineffable glory, look for the Future Judgment and the Joy of the Blessed Resurrection. Amen.

[MS. Arundel 155, fol. 188, "Eadui Psalter", circa 1012 AD; cf. Nunnaminster Winchester Prayerbook 8th / 9th Century]