PRAYERS
of the
MIDDLE AGES
Light from a Thousand Years
Edited by
J. MANNING POTTS
THE UPPER ROOM
The World’s Most Widely Used Devotional Guide
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville 5, Tennessee
Second Printing
© Copyright, 1954
by
The Upper Room
Nashville, Tennessee
UR-79-25-5-0962
Printed in the United States of America
Preface
This is a companion volume to the Prayersof the Early Church. That little volume hasbeen started on its way and the editor hasbeen encouraged to do this one on the Prayersof the Middle Ages.
The period covered by these prayers is that ofa thousand years from A.D. 500 to A.D. 1500.Generally speaking, the period is from the fallof Rome to the Reformation. This period wasformerly called the Dark Ages. Evidence of thelack of light has been found in the lack of materialin some of the centuries. It has been hardto find any prayers in a few. However, takencollectively, it is seen that there was much lightthat came out of these ages. The Church waskept alive by those who kept the light burning.The latter half of this period is now calledthe Golden Age of Mysticism.
The arrangement of the prayers is centuryby century. There are some questions aboutdates of these as well as authorship. The authoritiesdo not always agree.
We are indebted to many collections of prayersand to other sources. Some of the books whichhave been most valuable are Prayers of the Ages,compiled by Caroline S. Whitmarsh; Of theImitation of Christ; Great Souls at Prayer, arrangedby Mrs. Mary W. Tileston; The Cloudof Witness, by Hon. Mrs. Gell; Prayers, from4the collection of the late Baron Bunsen; A Chainof Prayer Across the Ages, compiled by SelinaFitzherbert Fox; Prayers We Love to Pray, arrangedby Edward Leigh Pell; Morning Readings,compiled by Frank M. Rich; Prayers of theSaints, by Cecil Headlam; Prayers Ancient andModern, compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston;Ancient Collects, by Rev. William Bright;Prayers, Massachusetts Council of the ChurchService League; Theologia Germanica; TheCloud of Unknowing; His Words of Admonitionand Praises of God, by St. Francis of Assisi; CommonPrayers for Family Use, by Westcott.
The main purpose of this little volume is forindividual and family devotions. However, it isfound that prayers like these are read in worshipservices, in prayer cells, and prayer meetings.Young people’s and women’s groups constantlymake use of them. This little book is recommendedfor all types of worship services and foruse in church bulletins. Many other ways willbe found to use them.
The editor wishes to acknowledge his deepdebt of gratitude to the late lamented Dr. J.Minton Batten, professor of church history inVanderbilt University, and to Miss Clarice Winstead,secretary to the editor, for their invaluableservice in compiling this book of praye