Alan Jacobs


the Sunday morning prayer of Lancelot Andrewes

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Through the tender mercies of our God
the day-spring from on high hath visited us.
Glory be to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Creator of the light,
and Enlightener of the world, —
of the visible light,
The Sun’s ray, a flame of fire,
day and night,
evening and morning, —
of the light invisible,
the revelation of God,
writings of the Law,
oracles of Prophets,
music of Psalms,
instruction of Proverbs,
experience of Histories, —
light which never sets.
God is the Lord who hath shewed us light;
bind the sacrifice with cords,
yea even unto the horns of the altar.
O by Thy resurrection raise us up
unto newness of life,
supplying to us frames of repentance.
The God of peace,
who did bring again from the dead
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
perfect us in every good work,
to do His will,
working in us what is acceptable before Him,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever.
Thou who didst send down on Thy disciples on this day
Thy Thrice-holy Spirit,
withdraw not Thou the gift, O Lord, from us,
but renew it in its, day by day,
who ask Thee for it.

[translated from the Greek by John Henry Newman]