Other books in the series:
Pocket Celtic Prayers
compiled by Martin Wallace
Pocket Graces
compiled by Pam Robertson
Pocket Prayers for Children
compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers for Advent and Christmas
compiled by Jan McFarlane
Pocket Prayers for Commuters
compiled by Christopher Herbert
Pocket Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
compiled by Trevor Lloyd
Pocket Prayers for Marriage
compiled by Andrew and Pippa Body
Pocket Prayers for Parents
compiled by Hamish and Sue Bruce
Pocket Prayers for Troubled Times
compiled by John Pritchard
Pocket Words of Comfort
compiled by Christopher Herbert
Church House Great Smith Street London SW1P 3AZ
ISBN 978 0 7151 4193 9
First published 1999 by The National Society and Church House Publishing
This edition published by Church House Publishing 2009
Introduction and compilation copyright © Lord, for thy tender mercies
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored or transmitted by any means or in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission which should be sought from the Copyright Administrator, Church House Publishing, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ Email: [email protected]
Designed by www.penguinboy.net Printed in England by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Fareham, Hants
CONTENTS
The Lord’s Prayer, traditional version
The Lord’s Prayer, contemporary version
To my wife Jan
for her wisdom, astringent
common sense and loving kindness
over the years
INTRODUCTION
Ever since life began people have felt the need to pray. They have sensed that God listens and they have found that the more they have prayed, the more they have discovered about God, other people and themselves.
Over the centuries certain prayers have been written down because they captured what we all want to say but have been unable to express for ourselves.
Here is a collection of prayers which have stood the test of time; prayers to rely on when our own words fail; prayers to take us close to the heart of God.
+ Christopher Herbert
Bishop of St Albans
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Traditional version
