Commontide

For a Virtuous Heart

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.

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Commontide
Collect
Prayers

Look Down, O Lord

Compline

Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, illumine this night with your celestial brightness, and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Provenance

Ambrosian, early medieval

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

An ancient night prayer from the Ambrosian liturgical tradition of Milan, asking God to look down from his heavenly throne, illumine the darkness with celestial brightness, and drive away the works of evil from his people. It entered Anglican Compline through the Anglo-Catholic liturgical revival, first appeared in a prayer book in the 1979 US BCP with a revised ending, and was restored to its older form in the ACNA BCP 2019.