Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

Thy future service; and when they shall have done Thy will on earth, may they be joint heirs with us in that inheritance which Thou hast prepared for all who love Thee.

Hear us, O LORD, in these our prayers, for Jesus CHRIST'S sake.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

FOURTH EVENING.

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD! Thou art unspeakably great and glorious! Thou art the King, Eternal, Immortal, and Invisible! Thy throne is in the highest heavens; and Thou art exalted above all bles sing and praise-we, the creatures whom Thy hand hath made, and whom Thy providence sustains from day to day, desire at this time humbly to bow down before Thy divine majesty; and to acknowledge our obligations to Thine infinite goodness and mercy.

We bless Thee for all the comforts of this life; but, above all, for Thine inestimable love in sending Thy Son from heaven to become the Saviour of our souls. We thank Thee for having provided this Mediator, through whom sinners may draw near unto Thee. We beseech Thee, O LORD, to grant unto us pardon of our sins through JESUS CHRIST. Remember not against us

the transgressions either of this day or of our former lives; but be Thou pleased to receive us into Thy favour, and to adopt us into Thy family, as members of Christ, as children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. And vouchsafe unto us the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to love Thee with all our hearts; and faithfully to perform Thy righteous will. We beseech Thee to renew us in the spirit of our minds. Help us to put off that old man, which is corrupt according to the flesh; and to put on that new man which is created after Thine own image in righteousness and true holiness. Deliver us from blindness and hardness of heart; from too great a love of this present world; as well as from coldness and indolence in Thy service. May Thy blessed Spirit produce in us a deep and sincere repentance; and make us fruitful in every good word and work.

We also pray Thee to enable us to put our whole confidence in Thee. May we commit all our concerns into Thy merciful hands, who art ever ready to protect those who sincerely love and serve Thee. Let Thy watchful providence defend us by night and by day, in adversity and prosperity, in sickness and in health; and, whenever the awful hour of our death shall draw near, may we find our consolations in CHRIST abound.

We most humbly address Thee, in behalf of all those for whom it is our duty to pray. We would intercede with Thee for our native land, that it may still be favoured with the light of Thy Gospel; and that the seeds of divine knowledge sown in it may bring forth abundant fruit. Bless the President of these United

States, and all in authority; and give them wisdom to fulfil the arduous duties to which they are called. Have mercy on all who are in any sorrow; on the widows, and the fatherless, and on those who have none to help them. Look down with compassion on those who suffer from the calamities of war. Be merciful to our dear friends and relations. Let the light of Thy Gospel shine into all their hearts. Grant, that they may be now united with us in the bonds of Christian love; and that we may all be members of Thy blessed family in heaven.

We pray Thee to take us under Thy care this night. We are unable to protect ourselves; but Thou, LORD, art ever present with us. O hear us from heaven Thy dwelling-place; and, for Thy mercy's sake, bestow upon us more than we are able to ask, or think, or are worthy to receive.

We present these our humble and imperfect prayers, in the name of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

10*

FIFTH EVENING.

ALMIGHTY AND Everlasting God, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, yet hast promised forgiveness to all those who repent of the evil which they have done, we draw near to Thee under a deep sense of our unworthiness, for we have transgressed in thought, word, and deed; and when we look back on our past lives, we are confounded by the multitude of our offences. Many have been the sins, of which Thou, and Thou only, hast been the witness. O LORD, save us from that wrath which we have merited. Thou willest not the death of a sinner; but, rather, that he should turn from his wickedness and live. Fulfil towards each of us those gracious promises which Thou hast made in JESUS CHRIST and enable us to rejoice, in the sense of Thy favour here, and in the hope of eternal life in the world to come.

:

And lest, through our frailty, we should again yield to the power of our manifold temptations, grant unto us both the guidance of Thy providence and the help of Thy Holy Spirit. Put into our hearts good desires; and enable us, by Thy grace, to bring the same to good effect. Correct whatever is amiss in us. Deliver us from pride and vanity, and from the too great love of earthly things; from that fear of man which bringeth a snare, and from all inordinate indulgence. Save us from envy, hatred, and malice. Let not the sun go down upon our wrath. Let us go to rest, this night, full of charity and benevolence; and maintaining a

conscience void of offence towards Thee and towards all men May o'r hearts be a fit habitation for Thy Spirit; and may our souls and bodies be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.

With these prayers for ourselves, we offer up our intercessions for others also. Let the light of Thy Gospel shine upon all mankind. Have mercy on this land. Bless our President, and all in authority under him. Strengthen their hands, that they may effectually repress wickedness and vice; and maintain Thy true religion among us. Give grace to all ministers of the Gospel, that they may both preach Thy word, and be examples of virtue and godliness. Send down Thy blessing, both temporal and spiritual, upon our several relations and friends; and unite with us in Christian bonds those who are already joined to us by the ties of nature and affection. Be merciful to those who are in any trouble of mind, body, or estate.

Regard in tender compassion the young of this family. May they daily learn the fear of the Lord; and may they ever walk in Thy commandments.

We now beseech Thee to continue to us. Thy gracious protection through this night. Into Thy hand we commend our bodies, and our souls; our temporal, and our eternal interests. Thou, O LORD, neither slumberest nor sleepest:-O take us all under Thy special care :-defend us from every danger; and grant us such refreshing sleep, that we may be fitted for the duties of the following day. And give us grace so to live, that we may never be afraid to die; but that whether we live, we may live unto the Lord; or whether we

« ElőzőTovább »