PRAYERS FOR THE USE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. (1.) A Prayer for God's Help in Learning. O LORD God Almighty, behold here I am in the works of the calling which Thou hast enjoined me; and let Thy servant hear Thy word in all that Thou hast appointed. Give me Thy blessing and Holy Spirit, that all my labours and studies may be profitable, and rightly carried on to the glory of Thy divine name, and the safety and advantage of my neighbour; for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. (2.) a (2.) Another for the same. O ETERNAL Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Almighty and everlasting God, I pray Thee of Thy great mercy to bless me in all the labours of my calling, and in these mine attempts at learning it; do Thou so strengthen my mind, my perseverance, The figures at the end of each Prayer refer to the numbers in Jac. Horstii Precationes Medicorum Piae, 12mo. Helmst. 1585. B my reason, and my senses, and so perfect them by Thy help, that all the studies and labours of my calling may be rightly accomplished, and may be directed to the glory of Thy name and to the welfare of mankind; through Thy well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (7.) (3.) For the Gift of Wisdom. O LORD God, Heavenly Father, wisdom and might are Thine; Thou givest wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding; Thou hast also caused me to know that I shall never be truly wise unless Thou send to me Thy Holy Spirit from abovec: I beseech Thee therefore to direct me, my studies, and my fortunes, and graciously to bestow on me, by the same Spirit, the gift of healing mankind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. (3.) (4.) Another for the same. O LORD God, Maker of heaven and earth, in Thee do I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion. It is indeed great praise to acquire the knowledge of many things, and to understand their b Dan. ii. 20, 21. • Wisdom ix. 17. • Ps. lxxi. 1. causes, properties, and uses; but it is, and always will be, greater praise in these very things to know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. For Thou art the Way, the Truth, and the Lifes; nor can the course of our studies be any thing else, than the exercise of knowing and adoring Thine infinite wisdom, goodness, and mercy. So will our study of medicine long after Thee, O God, so will it celebrate Thee, and so will it become pleasing to Thee, sacred to the Church, and a holy song of praise to Thee. Thou art my God, do not depart from me; fill me not only with medical knowledge, but also with true wisdom, that in the works of nature, and of art, I may recognise, embrace, and reverence Thy power. Help me, and I shall be whole, and will always meditate on Thy judgments. Turn from me all those vain uses of the art of healing, which the world applies to further vice, or luxury, or the love of gain; but which Thou, O Lord God, hast rejected, and hast judged worthy of death. For Thou, Lord, art good, and gracious, and of great mercy unto all them that call upon Theeh. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus Christ His sake. Amen. (8.) f John xvii. 3. h Ps. lxxxvi. 5. John xiv. 6. (5.) Thanksgiving for Increase of Knowledge, and Prayer for further Help. WHO am I, O Lord God? and what is mine art, that Thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in Thy sight, O Lord Godi; but Thou hast also increased Thy servant's skill by the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, according as Thou hast promised unto them that ask Theek. For Thy word's sake, and according to Thy great mercy, hast Thou done all these great things, to make Thy servant know this most noble art. Therefore Thou art to be praised, O Lord God, for there is none like unto Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And now, O Lord God, the word that Thou hast spoken, establish it for ever unto us, who humbly pray for Thy Holy Spirit and for the increase of gifts which Thou hast promised; and do as Thou hast said. And let Thy name be magnified for ever, saying, "The Lord God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made, and by whom the medical art safely, quickly, and agreeably, healeth diseases and assuageth pain." For Thou, O Lord God, hast opened the ear of my heart, saying, "Seek ye the Holy Spirit, and ye shall receive it;" therefore i 2 Sam. vii. 18, &c. k Luke xi. 13. |