A Family Prayer for the Lord's Day Morning
Most gracious God, and our Father in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is good for us to draw near to thee; the nearer the better, and it will be best of all when we come to be nearest of all in the kingdom of glory. Thou hast thy being of thyself, and thy happiness in thyself: We therefore adore thee as
the great Jehovah. We have our being from thee, and our happiness in thee, and therefore it is both our duty and our interest to seek thee, to implore thy favour, and to give unto thee the glory due unto thy name. We bless thee for the return of the morning light, and that thou causest the day-spring to know its place and time. O let the day-spring from on high visit our dark souls, and the Sun of righteousness arise with healing under his wings. We bless thee that the light we see is the Lord's: That this is the day which the Lord hath made, hath made for man, hath made for himself, we will rejoice and be glad in it. That thou hast revealed unto us thy holy Sabbaths, that we were betimes taught to put a difference between this day and other days, and that we live in a land, in all parts of which God is publicly and solemnly worshipped on this day. We bless thee, that Sabbath liberties and opportunities are continuedto us and that we are not wishing in vain for these days of the Son of man that our candlestick is not removed out of its place, as justly it might have been, because we have left our first love. Now we bid this Sabbath welcome Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. O that we may be in the Spirit on this Lord's day; that this may be the Sabbath of the Lord in our dwelling j in our hearts a Sabbath of rest from sin, and a Sabbath of rest in God,
Enable us, we pray thee, so to sanctify this Sabbath, as that it may be sanctified to us, and be a means of our sanctification that by resting today from our worldly employments, our hearts may be more and more taken off from present things, and prepared to leave them and that by employing our time to-day in the worship of God, we may be led into a more experimental acquaintance with the work of heaven, and be made more meet for that blessed world. We confess we are utterly unworthy of the honour, and unable for the work of communion with thee but we come to thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is worthy, and depend upon the assistance of thy blessed Spirit to work all our works in us, and so to ordain peace for us. We keep this day holy, to the honour of God the Father Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, in remembrance of the work of creation, that work of wonder, in which thou madest all things out of nothing by the word of thy power, and all very good; and they continue to this day according to thine own ordinance, for all are thy servants. Thou art worthy to receive blessing, and honour, and glory, and power j for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. O Thou, who at first didst command the light to shine out of darkness, who saidst on the first day of the first week, Let there be light, and there was light, we pray thee shine this day into our hearts, and give us more and more of the light of the knowledge of the glory
of God in the face of Jesus Christ; and let us be thy workmanship, created in Jesus Christ unto good works, a kind of first fruits of thy creatures. We likewise sanctify this day to the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and our exalted Redeemer, in remembrance of his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, by which he was declared to be the Son of God with power. We bless thee, that having laid down his life to make atonement for sin, he rose again for our justification, that he might bring in an everlasting righteousness. That the stone which the builders refused, the same is become the head-stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. We bless thee that he is risen from the dead as the first fruits of them that slept, that he might be the resurrection and the life to us. Now we pray, that while we are celebrating the memorial of his resurrection with joy and triumph, we may experience in our souls the power and virtue of his resurrection, that we may rise with him, may rise from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, from the dust of this world, to a holy, heavenly, spiritual, and divine life. O that we may be planted together in the likeness of Christ's resurrection, that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. We sanctify this day also to the honour of the eternal Spirit that blessed Spirit of grace the
248 A METHCm CHAP. IX,
Comforter, rejoicing at the remembrance of the descent of the Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost, the first day of the week likewise. We bless thee, that when Jesus was glorified, the Holy Ghost was given to make up the want of his bodily presence, to carry on his undertaking, and to ripen things for his second coming;' and that we have a promise that he shall abide with us for ever. And now, we pray that the Spirit of him, that raised up Jesus from the dead, may dwell and rule in every one of us, to make us partakers of a new and divine nature. Come, O blessed Spirit of grace, and breathe upon tliese dry bones, these dead hearts of ours, that they may live, and be in us a Spirit of faith, and love, and holiness, a Spirit of power, and of a sound mind. O Lord, we bless thee for thy holy word, which is a light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths, and which was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope that the Scriptures are preserved pure and entire to us, and that we have them in a language that we understand. We beg that we may not receive the grace of God here in vain. We bless thee that our eyes see the joyful light, and our ears hear the joyful sound, of a Redeemer and a Saviour, and of redemption and salvation by him 5 that life and immortality 'are brought to light by the gospel. Glory be to God in the highest, for in and through Jesus
Christ there is on earth peace, and goodwill towards men. We bless thee for the great gospel record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Lord, we receive it as a faithful saying, and well worthy of all acceptation we will venture our immortal souls upon it and we are encouraged by it to come to thee, to beg for an interest in the mediation of thy Son. O let him be made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption let us be effectually called into fellowship with him, and by faith be united to him, so that Christ may live in us, and we may grow up into him in all things, who is tlie head, that we may bring forth fruit in him and whatever we do in word or deed, we may do all in his name. O let us have the Spirit of Christ, that thereby we may make it appear we are his. And through him we pray that we may have eternal life, that none of us may come short of it, but that all of us may have the first fruits and earnest of it abiding in us. We bless thee for the new covenant made with us in Jesus Christ that when the covenant of innocency was irreparably broken, so that it was become impossible for us to get to heaven by that covenant, thou wast then pleased to deal with us upon new terms that we are under grace and not under the law; that this covenant is established upon better promises in the hand of a Mediator. Lord, we fly for refuge to it, we take hold of it as the hope set before us O receive 8 Gg
us graciously into the bond of this covenant, and make us accepted in the beloved, according to the tenor of the covenant. Thou hast declared, concerning the Lord Jesus, that he is thy beloved Son in whom thou art well pleased and we humbly profess that he is our beloved in whom we are well pleased j Lord, be well pleased with us in him. O that our hearts may be filled this day with pleasing thoughts of Christ, and his love to us, that great love wherewith he loved us. O the admirable dimensions of that love I the height and depth, the length and breadth of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge Let this love constrain us to love him, and to live to him who died for us and rose again. O that it may be a pleasure and mighty satisfaction to us to think, that while we are here praying at the footstool of the throne of grace, our blessed Saviour is sitting at the right hand of the throne of glory interceding for us. We earnestly beg, that through him we may find favour with thee our God, and may be taken into covenant and communion with thee. We humbly pray thee, for his sake, forgive all our sins, known and unknown, in thought, word, and deed. Through him let us be acquitted of all guilt, and accepted as righteous in thy sight. Let us not come into condemnation as we have deserved let our iniquity be taken away, and our sin covered; and let us be clothed with the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness, that the
shame of our nakedness may not appear. O let no cloud of guilt interpose between us and our God this day, to intercept our comfortable communion with him. And let our lusts be mortified and subdued, that our own corruptions may not be as a clog to us, to hinder the ascent of our souls heavenwards. We pray thee assist us in all our religious services of this thine own holy day. Go along with us to the solemn assembly; for if thy presence go not up with us, wherefore should we go up Give us to draw nigh to thee with a true heart, and in full assurance of faith. Meet us with a blessing j grace thine own ordinances with thy presence, that special presence of thine which thou hast promised there, where two or three are gathered together in thy name. Help us against our manifold infirmities, and the sins that do most easily beset us in our attendance upon thee. Let thy word come with life and power to our souls, and be as good seed sown in a good soil, taking root, and bringing forth fruit to thy praise; and let our prayers and praises be spiritual sacrifices, acceptable in thy sight through Christ Jesus; and let those that tarry at home divide the spoil. Let thy presence be in all the assemblies of good Christians this day Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity let grace be upon them all. In the chariot of the everlasting gospel let the great Redeemer ride forth triumphantly, conquering and to con-
quer and let every thought be brought into obedience to him. Let many be brought to believe the report of the gospel, and to many let the arm of the Lord be revealed. Let sinners be converted unto thee, and thy saints edified and built up in faith, holiness, and comfort unto salvation. Complete the number of thine elect, and hasten thy kingdom. Now the Lord of peace himself give us peace always by all means. The God of hope fill us with joy and peace in believing, for Christ Jesus sake, our blessed Saviour and Redeemer, who hath taught us to pray, Our Father which art in heaven, &c.
Short forms of prayer · A Method for Prayer, 1834
A Morning Prayer for a Family
O Lord our God, we desire, with all humility and reverence, to adore thee as a Being infinitely bright, and blessed, and glorious thou hast all perfection in thyself, and art the fountain of all being, power, life, motion, and perfection. Thou art good to all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works and thou art continually doing us good, though we are evil and unthankful. We reckon it an unspeakable privilege that we have liberty of access to thee through Jesus Christ, and leave to call thee our Father in him. O look upon us now, and be merciful to us, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. O give us all to account our daily worship of thee in our family the most needful part of our
daily business, and the most pleasant part of our daily comforts. Thou art the God of all the families of Israel, be thou the God of our family, and grant, whatever others do, we and ours may always serve the Lord that thou mayest cause the blessing to rest on our house from the beginning of the year to the end of it. Lord, bless us, and we are blessed indeed. We humbly thank thee for all the mercies of this night past, and this morning, that we have laid us down and slept, and waked again, because thou hast sustained us; that no plague has come nigh our dwelling but that we are brought in safety to the light and comforts of another day. It is of thy mercies, O Lord, that we are not consumed, even because thy compassions fail not; they are new every morning great is thy faithfulness, i We have rested and are refreshed, when many have been full of tossing to and fro till the dawning of the day We have a safe and quiet habitation, when many are forced to wander, and lie exposed. We own thy goodness to us, and ourselves we acknowledge less than the least of all the mercy, and of all the truth thou hast showed unto us. We confess we have sinned against thee, we are guilty before thee, we have sinned, and have come short of the glory of God. We have corrupt and sinful natures, and are bent to back-
slide from thee backward to good, and prone to evil continually. Vain thoughts come into us, and lodge within us, lying down and rising up, and they defile or disquiet our minds, and keep out good thoughts. We are too apt to burden ourselves with that care which thou hast encouraged us to cast upon thee. We are very much wanting in the duties of our particular relations, and provoke one another more to folly and passion than to love and to good works. We are very cold and defective in our love to God, weak in our desires towards him, and unsteady and uneven in our walking with him and are at this time much out of frame for his service. We pray thee forgive all our sins for Christ's sake, and be at peace with us in him who died to make peace, and ever lives making intercession. There be many that say. Who will show us any good? but, Lord, let us not be put off with the good of this world for a portion For this is our heart's desire and prayer. Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and that shall put gladness into our hearts, more than they have whose corn, and wine, and oil increaseth. Lord, let thy peace rule in our hearts, and give law to us, and let thy peace keep our hearts and minds, and give comfort to us and let the consolations of God, which are neither few nor small, be our strength and our song in the house of our pilgrimage. Lord, we commit ourselves to thy care and
keeping this day. Watch over us for good compass us about with thy favour as with a shield preserve us from all evil, yea, the Lord preserve and keep our souls preserve our going out and coming in. Our bodies, and all our worldly affairs, we commit to the conduct of thy wise and gracious providence, and submit to its disposal. Let no hurt or harm happen to us; keep us in health and safety J bless our employments, prosper us in all our lawful undertakings, and give us comfort and success in them. Let us eat the labour of our hands, and let it be well with us. Our precious souls, and all their concerns, we commit to the government of thy Spirit and grace. O let thy grace be mighty in us, and sufficient for lis, and let it work in us both to will and to do that which is good, of thine own good pleasure. O give us grace to do the work of this day in its day, according as the duty of the day requires, and to do even common actions after a godly sort, acknowledging thee in all our ways, and having our eyes ever up to thee, and be thou pleased to direct our steps. Lord, keep us from sinj give us rule over our own spirits, and grant that we may not this day break out into passion upon provocation, or speak unadvisedly with our lips. Give us grace to live together in peace and holy love, that the Lord may command the blessing upon us, even life for evermore.
Make us conscientious in all our dealings, and always watchful against sin, as becomes those who see thine eye ever upon us. Arm us against every temptation, uphold us in our integrity, keep us in the way of our duty; and grant that we may be in thy fear every day, and all the day long. In every doubtful case, let our way be made plain before us and give us that wisdom of the prudent, which is at all times profitable to direct and let integrity and unrightness preserve us, for we wait on thee. Sanctify to us all our losses, crosses, afflictions, and disappointments, and give us grace to submit to thy holy will in them, and let us find it good for' us to be afflicted, that we may be partakers of thy holiness. Prepare us for all the events of this day, for we know not what a day may bring forth. Give us to stand complete in thy whole will to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Jesus Christ. Lord, fit us for death, and judgment, and eternity, and give us grace to live every day as those that do not know but it may be their last day. Lord, plead thy cause in the world build up thy church into perfect beauty set up the throne of the exalted Redeemer in all places upon the ruins of the devil's kingdom. Let the reformed churches be more and more reformed, and let every thing that is amiss be amended j
and lei those that suffer for righteousness' sake be supported and delivered. Do us good in these nations bless the king and all in authority, guide public counsels and affairs, over-rule all to thine own glory; let peace and truth be in our days, and be preserved to those that shall come after us. Be gracious to all our relations, friends, neighbours, and acquaintances, and do them good according as their necessities are. Supply the wants of all thy people. Dwell in the families that fear thee, and call upon thy name. Forgive our enemies, and those that hate us give us a right and charitable frame of spirit towards all men, and all that is their's. Visit those that are in affliction, and comfort them, and be unto them a very present help. Recover the sick, ease the pained, succour the tempted, relieve the oppressed, and give joy to those that mourn in Zion. Deal with us and our family according to the tenor of the everlasting covenant, which is well ordered in all things, and sure, and which is all our salvation, and all our desire; however it pleaseth God to deal with us and with our house. Now blessed be God for all his gifts both of nature and grace, for those that concern this life and that to come especially for Jesus Christ, the fountain and foundation of all; thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. We humbly beseech thee, for Christ Jesus' sake, to pardon our sins, accept our services, and grant
an answer of peace to our prayers, even for his sake who died for us, and rose again, who hath taught us to pray, Our Father which art in
Short forms of prayer · A Method for Prayer, 1834
A Prayer for Parents to put up for their Children
O Lord our God, the God of the spirits of all flesh: all souls are thine, the souls of the parents and the souls of the children are thine, and thou hast grace sufficient for both. Thou wast our father's God, and as such we will exalt thee; thou art our children's God, and also we will plead with thee for the promise is to us and to our children, and thou art a God in covenant with believers and their seed. Lord, it is thy good providence that hath built us up into a family. We thank thee for the children thou hast graciously given thy servants the Lord that hath blessed us with them, make them
blessings indeed to us, that we may never be tempted to wish we had been written childless. We lament the iniquity which our children are conceived and born in and that corrupt nature which they derive through our loins. But we bless thee there is a fountain opened for their cleansing from that original pollution, and that they were betimes by baptism dedicated to thee, and admitted into the bonds, and under the blessings of thy covenant that they are born in thy house, and taken in as memters of thy family upon earth. It is a comfort to us to think that they are baptized, and we desire humbly to plead it with thee. They are thine, save them. Enable them, as they become capable, to make it their own act and deed to join themselves unto the Lord, that they may be owned as thine in that day when thou raakest up thy jewels. Give them a good capacity of mind, and a good disposition, make them towardly and tractable, and willing to receive instruction incline them betimes to religion and virtue. Lord, give them wisdom and understanding and drive out the foolishness that is bound up in their hearts. Save them from the vanity which childhood and youth is subject to, and fit them every way to live comfortably and usefully in this world. We ask not for great things in this world for them. Give them, if it please thee, a strong and healthful constitution of body preserve them from all ill accidents, and feed them with food convenient for them.
But the chief thing we ask of God for them is, that thou wilt pour thy Spirit upon our seed, even thy blessing, that blessing of blessings upon our offspring, that they may be a seed to serve thee, which shall be accounted unto the Lord for a generation. Give them that good part which shall never be taken away from them. Give us wisdom and grace to bring them up in thy fear, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, with meekness and tenderness, and having them in objection with all gravity. Teach us how to tfmch them the things of God as they are able to bear them, and how to reprove and admonish, and when there is need, to correct them in aright manner and how to set them good examples of every thing that is virtuous and praiseworthy, that we may recommend religion to them, and so train them up in the way wherein they should go, that if they live to be old they may not depart from it. Keep them from the snare of evil company, and all the temptations to which they are exposed, and make them betimes sensible how much it is their interest, as well as their duty, to be religious And, Lord, grant that none that come of us may come short of eternal life, or be found on the left hand of Christ in the great day. We earnestly pray that Christ may be formed in their souls betimes, and that the seeds of grace may be sown in their hearts while they are young and we may have the satisfaction of seeing them walking in the truth, and setting their
faces heaven-wards. Give them now to hear counsel and receive instruction, that they may be wise in their latter end and if they be wise, our hearts shall rejoice, even ours. Prosper the means of their education; let our children be taught of the Lord, that great may be their peace; and give tliem so to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, as may be life eternal to them. O that they may betimes get wisdom, and get understanding, and never forget it. As fer as they are taught the truth as it is in Jesus, give them to continue in the things which they have learned. It is our heart's desire and prayer, that our children may be praising God on earth when we are gone to praise him in heaven, and that we and they may be together for ever, serving him day and night in his temple. If it should please God to remove any of them from us while they are young, let us have grace submissively to resign them to thee, and let us have hope in their death. If thou remove us from them while they are young, be thou thyself a Father to them, to teach them and provide for them; for with thee the fatherless findeth mercy. Thou knowest our care concerning them, we cast it upon thee; ourselves and ours we commit to thee. Let not the light of our family-religion be put out with us, nor that treasure be buried in our graves, but let those that come after us do thee more and better service in their day than 9 li
we have done in ours, and be unto thee for a name and a praise. In these prayers we aim at thy glory. Father, let thy name be sanctified in our family; there let thy kingdom come, and let thy will be done by us and ours, as it is done by the angels in heaven; for Christ Jesus' sake, our blessed Saviour and Redeemer, whose seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Now to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, that great and sacred name, into which we and our children were baptized, be honour and glory, dominion and praise, henceforth and for ever. Amen.
Short forms of prayer · A Method for Prayer, 1834
A Prayer to be used by Children
O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; my father's God, and I will extol thee. Who is a God like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. When my flesh and my heart fail, thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Thou madest me for thyself to show forth thy praise. But I am a sinner I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. God be merciful to me a sinner. O deliver me from the wrath to come, through Christ Jesus, who died for me, and rose again. Lord, give me a new nature. Let Jesus Christ be formed in my soul, that to me to live may be Christ, and to die may be gain. Lord, I was in my baptism given up to thee; receive me graciously, and love me freely.
Lord Jesus, thou hast encouraged little children to come to thee, and hast said, that of such is the kingdom of God. I come to thee O make me a faithful subject of thy kingdom, take me up in thy arms, put thy hands upon me, and bless me. O give me grace to redeem me from all iniquity, and particularly from the vanity which childhood and youth is subject to. Lord, give me a wise and an understanding heart, that I may know and do thy will in every thing, and may in nothing sin against thee. Lord, grant that from my childhood I may know the holy scriptures, and may continue in the good things that 1 have learned. Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me thy law graciously. Lord, be thou a Father to me; teach me and guide me; provide for me, and protect me; and bless me, even me, O my Father. Bless all my relations [father, mother, brothers, sisters], and give me grace to do my duty to them in every thing. Lord, prepare me for death, and give me wisdom to consider my latter end. O Lord, I thank thee for all thy mercies to me; for life and health, food and raiment, and for my education; for my creation, preserv .tion, and all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory.
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift blessed be God for JESUS CHRIST. None but Christ, none but Christ for me. Now to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that great name into which I was baptized, be honour and glory, dominion and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. Our Father which art in heaven, &c.
Another Paraphrase on the Lord's Prayer, in the words of the Assembly's shorter Catechism, Our Father in heaven, we come to thee as children to a Father, able and ready to help us. We beseech thee, let thy name be sanctified; enable us and others to glorify thee in all that whereby thou hast made thyself known, and dispose of all things to thine own glory. Let thy kingdom come; let Satan's kingdom be destroyed, and let the kingdom of thy grace be advanced; let us and others be brought into it, and kept in it, and let the kingdom of thy glory be hastened. Let thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven; make us by thy grace able and willing to know, obey, and submit to thy will in all things, as the angels do in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; of thy hee gift let us receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and let us enjoy thy blessing with them.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. We pray, that for Christ's sake thou wouldest freely pardon all our sins, and that by thy grace thou wouldest enable us from the heart to forgive others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Either keep us, O Lord, from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever. Lord, we take our encouragement in prayer from thyself only, and desire in our prayers to praise thee, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to thee And in testimony of our desires, and assurance to be heard through Jesus Christ, we say. Amen, Another prayer, drawn out of my flain Catechism Jar children (which was first published in the year I7OS J, which will he easy to those Children who have learned that Catechism, O Lord, thou art an infinite and eternal Spirit, most wise and powerful, holy, just, and good. Thou art the great God that madest the world, and art my Creator; and thou that madest me dost preserve and maintain me and in thee I live, and move, and have my being. O that I may remember thee as my Creator in the days of my youth, and never forget thee. Lord, give me grace to serve and honour thee, to worship and obey thee; and in all my ways to trust in thee, and to please thee.
Lord, I thank thee for thy holy word, which thou hast given me to be the rule of my faith and obedience, and which is able to make me wise unto salvation. I confess, O Lord, that the condition I was born in is sinful and miserable. I am naturally prone to that which is evil, and backward to that which is good, and foolishness is bound up in my heart: and I am by nature a child of wrath, so that if thou hadst not raised up a Saviour for me, I had been certainly lost and undone for ever, I have been disobedient to the command of God, and have eaten forbidden fruit. But blessed, and for ever blessed be God for the Saviour Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and the only Mediator between God and man, who took our nature upon him, and became man, that he might redeem and save us. Lord, 1 bless thee for his holy life give me to follow his steps. I bless thee for the true and excellent doctrine which he preached give me to mix faith with it. I bless thee for the miracles which he wrought to confirm his doctrine; and especially that he died the cursed death of the cross to satisfy for sin, and to reconcile us to God, and that he rose again from the dead on the third day, and ascended up into heaven, where he ever lives, making intercession for us, and hath all power, both in heaven and in earth and that we are assured he will come again in glory to judge the world at the last day.
Lord, I thank thee that I am one of his disciples, for I am a baptized Christian and I give glory to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in whose name I was baptized. Lord, be tliou in Christ to me a God, and make me one of thy people. Be thou my chief good and highest end; let Jesus Christ be my Prince and Saviour and let the Holy Ghost be my sanctifier and teacher, my guide and comforter. Lord, enable me to deny all ungodliness and worldly fleshly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, always looking for the blessed hope. Work in me repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ; and give me to live a life of faith and repentance. Lord, make me truly sorry that I have offended thee, in what I have thought, and spoken, and done amiss, and give me grace to sin no more. And enable me to receive Jesus Christ, and to rely upon him as my Prophet, Priest, and King, and to give up myself to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. Lord, grant unto me the pardon of my sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. And give me grace to manifest the sincerity of my faith and repentance, by a diligent and conscientious obedience to all thy commandments. Enable me to love thee with all my heart, and to love my neighbour as myself.
Give me grace always to make mention of thy name with reverence and seriousness; to read and hear thy word with diligence and attention, to meditate upon it, to believe it, and to frame my life according to it. Lord, grant that I may receive all thy mercies with thankfulness, and bear all afflictions with patience and submission to thy holy will. Lord, grant that my heart may never be lifted up with pride, disturbed with anger, or any sinful passion; and that my body may never be defiled with intemperance, uncleanness, or any fleshly lusts: and keep me from ever speaking any sinful words. Lord, give me grace to reverence and obey my parents and governors. I thank thee for their instructions and reproofs; I pray thee bless them to me, and make me in every thing a comfort to them. Lord, pity, help, and succour the poor, and those in affliction and distress. Lord, bless my friends, forgive my enemies, and enable me to do my duty to all men. Wherein I have in any thing offended thee, I humbly pray for pardon in the blood of Christ, and grace to do my duty better for the time to come and so to live in the fear of God, as that I may be happy in this world, and that to come. Lord, prepare me to die and leave this world. O save me from that estate of everlasting misery and torment, which will certainly be the portion
Some forma of Prayer. of all the wicked and ungodly, and bring nie safe to the world of everlasting rest and joy with thee and Jesus Christ. j jtc urri j And give me wisdom and grace to live a holy godly life, and to make it my great care and business to serve thee, and to save my own soul. All this I humbly beg in the name, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, to whom, with thee, O Father, and the Eternal Spirit, be honour, glory, and praise, henceforth and for evermore. Amen.
Short forms of prayer · A Method for Prayer, 1834
An Evening Prayer for a Family
Most holy, and blessed, and glorious Lord God, whose we are, and whom we are bound to serve, for because thou madest us, and not we ourselves, therefore we are not our own, but thine, and unto thee, O Lord, do we lift up our souls. Thy face, Lord, do we seek; whither shall we go for happiness but to thee, from whom we derive our being? Thou art the great benefactor of the whole creation Thou givest to all life, and breath, and all things. Thou art our Benefactor the God that hast fed us, and kept us all our life long unto this day. Having obtained help of God, we continue hitherto monuments of sparing mercy, and witnesses for thee that thou art gracious, that thou art God and not man for therefore it is that we are not cut off. One day tells another, and one night certifies to another that thou art good, and doest good, and never failest those that seek thee, and trust in thee. Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to praise thee. It is through the good hand of our God upon us that we are brought in safety to the close of another day, and that, after the various employments of the day, we come together at night to mention the loving-kindness of the Lord, and
Some forma of Prayer. the praises of our God, who is good, and whose mercy endureth for ever. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with his benefits, even the God of our salvation for he that is our God is the God of salvation. We have from thee the mercies of the day in its day, according as the necessity of the day requires, though we come far short of doing the work of the day in its day, according as the duty of the day requires. We bless thee for the ministration of the good angels about us, the serviceableness of the inferior creatures to us, for our bodily health and ease, comfort in our relations, and a comfortable place of abode; that thou hast not made the wilderness our habitation, and the barren land our dwelling and especially that thou continuest to us the use of our reason, and the quiet and peace of our consciences. nirxo We bless thee for our share in the public tranquillity, that thou hast given us a good land, in which we dwell safely under our own vines and fig-trees. Above all, we bless thee for Jesus Christ, and his mediation between God and man for the covenant of grace made with us in him, and all the exceeding great and precious promises and privileges of that covenant; for the throne of grace erected for us, to which we may in his name come with humble boldness, and for the hope of eternal life through him. We confess we have sinned against thee this j
day we have sinned and done foolishly. O God, thou knowest our foolishness, and our sins are not hid from thee; we mispend our time, we neglect our duty, we follow after lying vanities, and forsake our own mercies. We offend with our tongues. Are we not carnal, and walk as men, below Christians Who can understand his errors Cleanse us from our secret faults. We pray thee give us repentance for our sins of daily infirmity, and make us duly sensible of the evil of them, and of our danger by them and let the blood of Christ thy Son, which cleanseth from all sin, cleanse us from it, that we may lie down to-night at peace with God, and our souls may comfortably return to him, and repose in him as our rest. And give us grace so to repent every day for the sins of every day, as that, when we come to die, we may have but the sins of one day to repent of, and so we may be continually easy. -i Do us good by all the providences we are under, merciful or afflictive; give us grace to accommodate ourselves to them, and by all bring us nearer to thee, and make us fitter for thee. We commit ourselves to thee this night, and desire to dwell in the secret place of the most High, and to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Let the Lord be our habitation, and let our souls be at home in him. Make a hedge of protection, we pray thee, about us, and about our house, and about all that we have round about, that no evil may befall us, 8 Ff
nor any plague come nigh our dwelling. The Lord be our keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. Lord, be thou a sun and a shield to us. Refresh our bodies, we pray thee, with quiet and comfortable rest, not to be disturbed with any distrustful disquieting cares and fears but especially let our souls be refreshed with thy love, and the light of thy countenance, and with thy benignity, which is better than life. When we awake, grant that we may still be with thee, and may remember thee upon our beds, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches, and may improve the silence and solitude of our retirements for communion with God and our own hearts, that when we are alone we may not be alone, but God may be with us, and we with him. Restore us to another day in safety, and prepare us for the duties and events of it and by all supports and comforts of this life, let our bodies be fitted to serve our souls in thy service, and enable us to glorify thee with both, remembering that we are not our own, we are bought with a price. And forasmuch ift we are now brought one day nearer our end. Lord, enable us so to number our days, as that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Let us be minded, by our putting off our clothes, and going to sleep in our beds, of putting off the body, sleeping the sleep of death, and of making our bed in the darkness shortly, that we may be daily dying in expectation of it, and preparation for our change, that when we
come to die indeed, it may be no surprize or terror to us, but we may with comfort put off the body, and resign the spirit, knowing whom we have trusted. Lord, let our families be blessed in him, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed; blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things, by Jesus Christ, and with temporal blessings as far as thou seest good for us. Give us health and prosperity, but especially let our souls prosper and be in health and let all that belong to us belong to Christ, that we, who live in a house together on earth, may be together for ever with the Lord. Look with pity upon a lost world, we beseech thee, and set up Christ's throne there where Satan's seat is. Send the gospel where it is not, make it successful where it is; let it be mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the strong holds of sin. Let the Church of Christ greatly flourish in all places, and make it to appear that it is built upon a rock, and that the. gates of hell cannot prevail against it; and sulfer not the rod of the wicked any where to rest upon the lot of the righteous. Let the land of our nativity be still the particular care of thy good providence, that in the peace thereof we may have peace. Let glory dwell in our land, and upon all the glory let there be a defence. Rule in the hearts of our rulers. We pray thee
continue the king's life and government long a public blessing. Make all that are in places of public trust faithful to the public interest, and all that bear the sword a terror to evil doers, and a protection and praise to them that do well. Own thy ministers in their work, and give them skill and will to help souls to heaven. Be gracious to all that are dear to us. Let the rising generation be such as thou wilt own, and do thee more and better service in their day than this has done. Comfort and relieve all that are in sorrow and affliction, lay no more upon them than thou wilt enable them to bear, and enable them to bear what thou dost lay upon them. Do for us, we pray thee, abundantly above what we are able to ask or think, for the sake of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the Lord our righteousness. To Him, with the Father and the eternal Spirit, be glory and praise, now and forever. Amen,
Short forms of prayer · A Method for Prayer, 1834
A Collect for Aid against Perils.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
You may here end the office with such general intercessions as yare fitting, including the following. See also Prayers and Thanksgivings
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Collect for Grace.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When the Litany is said, the following prayers are omitted, and at other times you may here end the office with such general intercessions as you think fit, (including the following) or with the Grace.
Morning Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Collect for Peace.
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Morning Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Collect for Peace.
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A General Intercession.
O GOD, at whose word man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the evening; Be merciful to all whose duties are difficult or burdensome, and comfort them concerning their toil. Shield from bodily accident and harm the workmen at their work. Protect the efforts of sober and honest industry, and suffer not the hire of the labourers to be kept back by fraud. Incline the heart of employers and of those whom they employ to mutual forbearance, fairness, and good-will. Give the spirit of governance and of a sound mind to all in places of authority. Bless all those who labour in works of mercy or in schools of good learning. Care for all aged persons, and all little children, the sick and the afflicted, and those who travel by land or by sea. Remember all who by reason of weakness are overtasked, or because of poverty are forgotten. Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before thee; and according to the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are appointed to die. Give ear unto our prayer, O merciful and gracious Father, for the love of thy dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.
Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Prayer for the Clergy and People.
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
Morning Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
And at the end of the whole Portion or Selection of…
And at the end of the whole Portion or Selection of Psalms for the day, and also after the Magnificat, Cantate Domino, Bonum est confiteri, Nunc dimittus, Deus misereatur, Benedic, anima mea, shall be sung or said the Gloria Patri; however, at the end of the whole portion of the Psalter, the following may be sung or said,
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
At Night.
O LORD, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
O GOD, who art the life of mortal men, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labour, and the repose of the dead; We thank thee for the timely blessings of the day, and humbly supplicate thy merciful protection all this night. Bring us, we beseech thee, in safety to the morning hours; through him who died for us and rose again, thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Benedic, anima mea. Psalm ciii.
Praise the LORD, O my soul; * and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine infirmities;
Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness.
O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my soul.
Glory be.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Benedic, anima mea. Psalm ciii.
PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities;
Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness.
O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: praise thou the LORD, O my soul.
The Collect. ACCEPT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, the devout praise of thy humble servant; and grant him an abiding sense of thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Visitation of the Sick · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Dedication of Soul and Body to God's Service,
with a Resolution to be growing daily in Goodness.
AND since it is of thy mercy, O gracious Father, that another day is added to our lives; We here dedicate both our souls and our bodies to thee and thy service, in a sober, righteous, and godly life: in which resolution, do thou, O merciful God, confirm and strengthen us; that, as we grow in age, we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Faithfulness in the Use of this World's Goods.
ALMIGHTY God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honour thee with our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Grace to guide and keep us the following Day,
and for God's Blessing on the business of the Same.
IN particular, we implore thy grace and protection for the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in all things, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us patience under our afflictions. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men, according to our abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and all who are dear to us, under thy fatherly care and protection. These things, and whatever else thou shalt see to be necessary and convenient to us, we humbly beg, through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Guidance.
O GOD, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly; Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of Wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Quiet Confidence.
O GOD of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength; By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Those We Love.
ALMIGHTY God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For Trustfulness.
O MOST loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O HEAVENLY Father, thou understandest all thy children; through thy gift of faith we bring our perplexities to the light of thy wisdom, and receive the blessed encouragement of thy sympathy, and a clearer knowledge of thy will. Glory be to thee for all thy gracious gifts. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For a Blessing on the Families of the Land.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who settest the solitary in families; We commend to thy continual care the homes in which thy people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vain-glory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh; turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we be evermore kindly affectioned with brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For a Person, or Persons, going to Sea.
O Eternal God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; We commend to thy almighty protection, thy servant, for whose preservation on the great deep our prayers are desired. Guard him , we beseech thee, from the dangers of the sea, from sickness, from the violence of enemies, and from every evil to which he may be exposed. Conduct him in safety to the haven where he would be, with a grateful sense of thy mercies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers and Thanksgivings · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For the Absent.
O GOD, whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love in the communion of thy Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
For the Children.
ALMIGHTY God, heavenly Father, who hast blessed us with the joy and care of children; Give us light and strength so to train them, that they may love whatsoever things are true and pure and lovely and of good report, following the example of their Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
In the Morning
O GOD, the King eternal, who dividest the day from the darkness, and turnest the shadow of death into the morning; Drive far off from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep thy law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that having done thy will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when the night cometh, rejoice to give thee thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, who alone gavest us the breath of life, and alone canst keep alive in us the holy desires thou dost impart; We beseech thee, for thy compassion's sake, to sanctify all our thoughts and endeavours; that we may neither begin an action without a pure intention nor continue it without thy blessing. And grant that, having the eyes of the mind opened to behold things invisible and unseen, we may in heart be inspired by thy wisdom, and in work be upheld by thy strength, and in the end be accepted of thee as thy faithful servants; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Nunc dimittis. St. Luke ii. 29.
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, * according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen * thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be.
Or else this Psalm.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Prayer for God's Protection through the Night following.
IN particular, we beseech thee to continue thy gracious protection to us this night. Defend us from all dangers and mischiefs, and from the fear of them; that we may enjoy such refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the coming day. And grant us grace always to live in such a state that we may never be afraid to die; so that, living and dying, we may be thine, through the merits and satisfaction of thy Son Christ Jesus, in whose Name we offer up these our imperfect prayers. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
On Sundays, and on other days when it may be convenient, it will be proper to begin with a Chapter, or part of a Chapter, from the New Testament.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Prayer for Grace to enable us to perform that Resolution.
BUT, O God, who knowest the weakness and corruption of our nature, and the manifold temptations which we daily meet with; We humbly beseech thee to have compassion on our infirmities, and to give us the constant assistance of thy Holy Spirit; that we may be effectually restrained from sin, and incited to our duty. Imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, and such a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to offend thee. And, above all, keep in our minds a lively remembrance of that great day, in which we must give a strict account of our thoughts, words, and actions to him whom thou hast appointed the Judge of quick and dead, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
Sunday Morning.
O GOD, who makest us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord; Vouchsafe us this day such blessing through our worship of thee, that the days to come may be spent in thy service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
The Apostles' Creed.
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Or the Creed commonly called the Nicene .
V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
R.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
The Intercession.
AND accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all mankind. Let the light of thy Gospel shine upon all nations; and may as many as have received it, live as becomes it. Be gracious unto thy Church; and grant that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may serve thee faithfully. Bless all in authority over us; and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may punish wickedness and vice, and maintain thy true religion and virtue. Send down thy blessings, temporal and spiritual, upon all our relations, friends, and neighbours. Reward all who have done us good, and pardon all those who have done or wish us evil, and give them repentance and better minds. Be merciful to all who are in any trouble; and do thou, the God of pity, administer to them according to their several necessities; for his sake who went about doing good, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of…
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Here endeth The Order of Evening Prayer.
Evening Prayer · The Book of Common Prayer (1928), 1928
