O Blessed King And Savior

“And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” (1 John 4:16, CSB)

A Sabbath day prayer.

O blessed King and Savior, you have commanded us to love one another — grant us grace that, having received your undeserved bounty, we may love every man in you and for you.

We ask your blessing for all; but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. Love them, O fountain of love, and make them to love you with all their heart, with all their mind, and with all their soul, that those things only which are pleasing to you they may will, and speak, and do.

And though our prayer is cold, because our charity is so little fervent, yet you are so rich in mercy. Measure not to them your goodness by the dullness of our devotion; but as your kindness surpasses all human affection, so let your hearing transcend our prayer. Do to them what is expedient for them, according to your will, that they, being always and everywhere ruled and protected by you, may attain in the end to everlasting life. Amen.

— Anselm