Prayers before Work or Meetings
1. Actiones Nostras
2. Domine, Desu Omnipotens
3. Exaudi Nos
4. Veni Sancte Sapiritus
5. Visita, quaesumus Domine
6. Adsumus
ACTIONES NOSTRAS
Father,
may everything we do
begin with your inspiration
and continue with your saving help
Let our work always find its origin in you
And through you reach completion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Or:
Lord,
may everything we do
begin with your inspiration
and continue with your help
so that all our prayers and works
may begin in you
and by you be happily ended
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Or:
Direct, we beseech you, O Lord,
our actions by your holy inspirations,
and carry them on
by your gracious assistance,
that every prayer and work of ours
may begin always with you,
and through you come to completion.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
DOMINE, DEUS OMNIPOTENS
Almighty Father,
you have brought us to the light of a new day:
keep us safe the whole day through
from every sinful inclination.
May our thoughts, words and actions,
Aim at doing what is pleasing in your sight.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
EXAUDI NOS
Hear us, Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God;
and graciously send your holy angel from heaven
to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with,
and to defend all who dwell in this house.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS
V. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
VISITA, QUAESUMUS, DOMINE
Lord,
we beg you to visit this house
and banish from it
all the deadly power of the enemy.
may your holy angels dwell here
to keep us in peace,
and may your blessing be upon us always.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ADSUMUS
We have come, O Lord, Holy Spirit,
we have come before you,
hampered by our many and grievous sins,
but for a special purpose
gathered together in your name.
Come to us and be with us
and enter our hearts.
Teach us what we are to do
and where we ought to tend;
show us what we must accomplish,
in order that, with your help,
we may be able to please you in all things.
May you alone
be the author and the finisher of our judgments,
who alone with God the Father and his Son
possess a glorious name.
Do not allow us to disturb the order of justice,
you who love equity above all things.
Let not ignorance draw us into devious paths.
Let not partiality sway our minds
or respect of riches or persons pervert our judgment.
But unite us to you effectually
by the gift of your grace alone,
that we may be one in you
and never forsake the truth;
As we are gathered together in your name,
so may we in all things
hold fast to justice tempered by mercy,
so that in this life
our judgment may in no way be at variance with you
and in the life to come
we may attain to everlasting rewards for deeds well done. Amen.
Or:
We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in you name.
Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength to know your will,
to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.
Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power,
for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favor.
Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.
As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants.
You live and reign with the Father and the Son,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.