COLLECTS

Open,* O merciful LORD, Thy ears to our prayers. Thou Who never failest them that trust in Thee: so that we, being lifted up from the gates of perpetual death, may be able safely to escape the snares of the Tempter. Through. (1.)

Of Thy merciful goodness,* O LORD, attend to the desire of the Poor, and bestow on us the abundance of Thy celestial gifts: remove from us the love of the passing things of this world, and since Thou defendest the humble and the orphan, give us the joy of Thy fatherly mercy: bestowing for the humiliation of this world, the joys of the kingdom of heaven. Amen. Through Thy mercy, &c. (11.)

Have mercy on us,* O LORD, and behold how we are insulted by our enemies: and do Thou Who couldest not be held by the bars of the grave, raise us up by Thy power from the gates of death. (11.)

We pray Thee,* O LORD, to preserve us unhurt from the works of Antichrist; to the end that we, deserting him and acknowledging CHRIST the LORD as our Father, may follow Thee by our faith, may retain Thee by our love, may glorify Thee by our good works. Through. (2.)

[O GOD, the Defence of Thy poor, (D. C.) Who forgettest not them that seek Thee in their need, neglect us not when we cry to Thee in trouble, but lift us up from the gates of death, that now and evermore we may rejoice in Thy praises. (1.)]