Christ the King Sunday Prayers
What is Christ the King Sunday?
Christ the King Sunday celebrates the role of Jesus as ruler over all of the universe. However, it's important to recall that, despite this, Jesus is king because He is a humble servant. Jesus' kingship is one of power and might, but also love and humility, as demonstrated by His life on earth. These Christ the King Sunday prayers reflect these themes. Please see Christ the King Sunday for more information.
Prayer of the King-Priest Messiah
The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool." The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head. Psalm 110: 1-5, 7 (RSV)
Collect for the Solemnity of Christ the King
Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe.
May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Catholic Collect
Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King
Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you.
We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you.
Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
Give tranquility of order to all nations;
mMake the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry:
Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever.
Amen.
Also known as "Iesu dulcissime, Redemptor"
Divine Office Psalm Prayer
Lord God You gave the peoples of the world as the inheritance of your only Son; you crowned him as King of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your Church to be his Bride. As he proclaims the law of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so share his royal power forever. Psalm Cycle, Sunday Week One
Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriae
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit; deliver them out of the lion's mouth, lest hell should swallow them up, lest they fall into the outer darkness; but let Thy standard-bearer, Saint Michael, bring them back into Thy holy light, which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. Amen. From The Roman Missal
Domine Deus Omnipotens Rex Regum
O Lord God Almighty,
King of kings,
Lord of rulers,
In whose hand all victory rests and all war is destroyed,
Grant me that Thy hand may strengthen my heart so I may fight well and act courageously so my enemies may fall before my sight.
May they fall as did Goliath fall before Thy servant David,
As did the people of the Pharaoh in the Red Sea before Moses,
As did the Philistines before the people of Israel,
As did Amalech before Moses,
And as did the Canaanites before Joshua, so may my enemies fall beneath my feet.
May all who come against me be dispersed and God destroy their weapons and shatter their swords.
They will melt in my sight as wax in the face of fire so all the peoples of the earth will know that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ has been invoked over me.
May Thy Name, O Lord, be made great over my adversaries, O Lord, God of Israel.
From an 11th Century Manuscript; tr: Bernard Muir
Iesu Rex admirabilis
O Jesus, King most wonderful! Thou Conqueror renowned!
Thou Sweetness most ineffable! in whom all joys are found!
When once Thou visitest the heart, then truth begins to shine; then earthly vanities depart; then kindles love divine.
O Jesu! Light of all below! Thou font of life and fire! surpassing all the joys we know, and all we can desire.
May every heart confess Thy name, and ever Thee adore; and seeking Thee, itself inflame to seek Thee more and more.
Thee may our tongues for ever bless; Thee may we love alone; and ever in out lives express the image of Thine own.
Amen.
From the Roman Breviary, Translation: Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
(A Prayer-Hymn) To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King
To Jesus Christ our Sovereign King who is the world's salvation, All praise and homage do we bring and thanks and adoration
Your reign extend O King benign, to every land and nation; For in your kingdom Lord divine Alone do we find salvation
To you and to your Church, great King We pledge our heart's oblation; Until before your throne we sing In endless jubilation
Christ Jesus, Victor! Christ Jesus, Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer Msgr. Martin Hellriegal, 1941
A Song to the Lamb
Splendor and honor and kingly power are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, for ever and for evermore.
Book of Common Prayer, 1979 (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13)
Compiled by David Bennett
Updated 10-2-2018