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PRAYERS, ANCIENT AND MODERN

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." Ps. 145: 18.

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Prov.

15:29.

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11: 25.

Jesus said: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. "If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it." John 14: 14,

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us." 1 John 5: 14. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4: 16.

The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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.

General Confession.

Almighty and most merciful Father: We have erred, and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore Thou those who are penitent; According to Thy promise declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.

Prayer for Forgiveness.* Forgive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, all that we have done amiss, all that we have spoken falsely or in anger, and all that we have thought or purposed against Thy will. Forgive our ignorant and hasty faults, our wilful and deliberate offenses, and all our sins of slothfulness and neglect. Forgive us freely; forgive us graciously; forgive us entirely; in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

General Thanksgiving.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we Thine unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, 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 for the hope of glory. And, we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives: by giving ourselves to Thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Prayers marked are reprinted from The Book of Common Worship, by permission of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, owners of the Copyright.

Intercession.

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 and especially those (name of person) for whom our prayers are asked at this time: 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.

Prayer for Guidance.*

Eternal and ever-blessed God, who art the Author of our life and the End of our pilgrimage: We beseech Thee so to guide us by Thy Word and Spirit, amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from Thy way, nor stumble upon the dark mountains; but may finish our course in safety, and come to our eternal rest in Thee; through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Daily Help.

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.

Prayer for Daily Help.*

O God, most holy, wise, and powerful Preserver and Governor of all Thy creatures and all their actions; keep us this day in health of body and soundness of mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and charity with

our neighbor; and further all our lawful undertakings with Thy blessing. In our labour strengthen us; in our pleasure purify us; in our difficulties direct us: in our perils defend us in our troubles comfort us: and supply all our needs, according to the riches of Thy grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for One Sick.*

O Thou who hearest prayer, we pray Thee to be very kind and merciful to Thy child, whose body suffers in pain and weakness. Grant unto (him or her) patience and tranquility of mind; peace, purity and courage of soul; the strong will to live if it be Thy will; and a heart ready to trust Thee, sleeping or waking. Bless all the means used for (his or her) recovery, and all who minister to (his or her) suffering. Make thou (his or her) bed in sickness, and comfort (him or her) as a mother comforteth her child. Restore (him or her) speedily to health, if it please Thee, but above all things grant (him or her) that which Thou knowest to be best for (him or her) and keep (him or her) Thine for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Prayer for Those in Trouble.*

O God, remember in Thy mercy the poor and needy, the widow and the fatherless, the stranger and the friendless, the sick and the dying and any such known to ourselves, whom we name in our hearts before Thee: relieve their needs, sanctify their sufferings, strengthen their weakness; and in due time bring them out of bondage into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We ask all this for Christ's sake. Amen.

Prayer for Missions.*

Eternal Father, who art loving unto every man, and hast given Thy Son to be the Saviour of the world: Grant that the pure light of His Gospel may overcome the darkness of idolatry in every land, and that all Thy lost children, dwelling in far countries, may be brought home to Thee. Revive the spirit of missions in Thy Church, that all Thy people may earnestly desire the conversion of mankind; and so quicken our hearts, that there may be a larger outpouring of prayer and gifts and personal service, to advance

the world-wide triumph of Thy kingdom. Protect the messengers of the Gospel amid all perils: guide them through all perplexities; give them wisdom, strength, and courage to make known by word and life the grace of our Lord Jesus; prosper all that they do in His Name, to serve the bodies and the souls of men; and hasten, we beseech Thee, the promised day, when at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.

New Years Prayer.*

Ever-living God, by whose mercy we have come to the gateway of another year; Grant that we may enter it with humble and grateful hearts; and confirm our resolution, we beseech Thee, to walk more closely in Thy way, and labour more faithfully in Thy service, according to the teaching and example of Thy Son our Lord. Let not the errors and offenses of the past cling to us, but pardon us and set us free, that with a purer purpose and a better hope, we may renew our vows in Thy Presence, and set forth under the guidance of Thy Holy Spirit, to travel in that path which shineth more and more unto the perfect day of Thy heavenly kingdom. All this we ask in the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Good Friday Prayer.*

Almighty and everlasting God, who of Thy tender love toward mankind hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and that in the form of a servant, and to suffer death, even the death of the cross, for our redemption; mercifully grant that this mind may be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, that we may both follow the example of His humble obedience and patient suffering, and also be made partakers of His glorious resurrection, to live with Thee for ever. Grant this for the sake of Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Easter Prayer.*

Almighty God, who hast brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the glorious Prince of salvation, with everlasting victory over hell and the grave; Grant us power, we beseech Thee, to rise with Him in newness of life, that we may overcome the world

with the victory of faith, and have part at last in the resurrection of the just; through the merits of the same risen Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer.*

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose mercies are without number, and the treasure of whose goodness is infinite: We render Thee thanks for all the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us: evermore beseeching Thy compassion; that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that faithfully ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but prepare them for the rewards to come, in Thy everlasting kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Day Prayer.*

Father in heaven, whose mercy we praise in the yearly remembrance of the birth of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; Grant that as we welcome our Redeemer, His presence may shed abroad, in our hearts and in our homes, the light of heavenly peace and joy. Make known unto all men, by Thy Word and Spirit, the Gospel of His blessed incarnation, whereby Thou hast clearly revealed Thy love for the world. And help us so to celebrate this day, in humility and gratitude, in unselfish love and cheerful service, that our keeping of Christmas may be a blessing to our souls, a memorial of Christ, Thine unspeakable gift of the Saviour. Amen. Prayer for the Close of the Year.

Our dear heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks that Thou hast brought us in safety to the close of another year. While many have been cut off from this earthly life during the year, Thou hast, in Thy mercy spared us, why we know not. We thank Thee for food and shelter and all the many blessings which have come to us new every morning, fresh every evening, and repeated every moment of our lives. We thank Thee for every good thought we have had. Oh, make us this coming year to have many more of them. We thank Thee if we have been able to do any kind deeds, and ask that we may have grace to do many more in the coming year. Help us to live this coming year as in Thy sight, seeking to please Thee in thought, word, and

deed, so to live, by faith on Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, that our lives may be one hymn of praise to Thee, and our years increasingly happy in serving Thee, through serving our fellow men. Forgive all the sins and short comings of the past year, we pray, for Jesus' sake, And grant, dear Lord, that when our last day comes we may go with joy and not with grief, and may hear Thee say "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." All this we ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Prayer for a Birthday.

Again, dear Lord, in Thy mercy we come to celebrate the birthday of one of our dear ones. We give Thee thanks, most heartily, that this precious life has been spared another year, and for all the mercies of the past years. We thank Thee for the possibilities there are in the life of this dear one, and pray that they may be fulfilled more and more, with each advancing year. Forgive, we pray Thee, all the errors, failures, and sins of this past year, and grant that the next year may be brimfull of happiness, because of the constant help of Thy Holy Spirit, guiding and directing each day's life into Thy love and service.

We know not if there will be another birthday on earth, but we pray Thee to help this dear one, and each of us, so to live that our birthday into heaven may be joyous indeed. These and all mercies we ask in the name of Thy Son, who taught us to call Thee Father, and has told us, when we pray to say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

General Morning Prayer.*

Almighty God, our Father and Preserver: We give Thee thanks that of Thy goodness Thou hast watched over us the past night, and brought us to a new day and we beseech Thee to strengthen and guard us by Thy Spirit

that we may spend it wholly in Thy service and to Thy glory, looking for all prosperity to Thy blessing, and seeking only those things which are well-pleasing in Thy sight. Enable us, O Lord, while we labour for the life that now is, ever to have regard unto that heavenly life which Thou hast promised Thy children. Defend us in soul and body from all harm. And seeing it is a small thing to have begun well, except we also persevere, take us, O Lord, into Thy good keeping this day and all our days: continue and increase Thy grace within us, until we shall be perfectly united in the glory of Thy Son. Show Thy loving-kindness unto all men and women and little children, according to the need of every living soul, especially unto those whom we love, and those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, whom we now remember silently before Thee. Protect our country and prosper Thy Church: Bless all who do good in the world, and restrain and convert all who do evil. And finally, be pleased to cast out of Thy remembrance all our past offenses, forgiving them in Thy boundless mercy and purifying our hearts that we may lead a better life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Morning Prayer.

Help us this day to try to live simple, sincere, and serene lives; repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence, exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike trust in God. All this we ask in the Name of Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

A Morning Prayer.

The day returns and brings us the petty rounds of irritating concern and duties. Help us O God to play the man, help us to perform them with laughter and kind faces; let cheerfulness abound with industry. Give us to go blithely on our business all this day, bring us to our resting beds weary and content and undishonored, and grant us in the end the gift of sleep, for Christ's sake. Amen.

A Morning Prayer. Open our ears, O Lord, to the sound of Thy voice, our eyes to the beauty of life and our hearts to the needs of others. Help us to resolve, in Thy strength, that we will take willingly and sweet temperedly, all that may come to us this day, of pain or annoyIance, and so far as in us lies make it a happy day for those we have to do with. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

An Evening Prayer.

Give us, our Father, strength of heart which will make Our lives straight and clean and kind, and enable us to follow Jesus Christ of Nazareth; who was not only the purest and gentlest, but also the bravest spirit that ever dwelt on earth. Fortify our spirit that we may meet life hopefully and be able to endure everything which Thou mayest please to send us. All this we ask in the Name of Thy dear Son, our Saviour. Amen.

An Evening Prayer.

O God, our Heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty and humble thanks for Thy mercy and care over us during another day. We thank Thee for continued life and health, for provision for our daily wants, and for dangers escaped, which we knew not of, both of the body and soul. And, Father, we pray for forgiveness for all the sins and shortcomings of the day: forgive us, dear Lord, if we have been so much engrossed with earthly matters that we have given too little time and thought to heavenly things. Forgive us for every unkind thought or word, for every mean or selfish action, for every neglect of duty, for every misuse of opportunity of serving our fellow creatures: and help us on the morrow and hereafter to live more sober, righteous, and godly lives to Thy glory. And now, our Father, we ask Thee for sweet and refreshing sleep, free from danger and harm, which shall strengthen us to serve Thee better on the morrow. Finally we humbly ask for the constant presence of Thy Holy Spirit, to be our Guide and Comforter, whom Christ promised to His children. All this, and all we need, we ask in the name of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ: who loved us and gave Himself for us; to whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit be praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday.*

Glory be to Thee, O God; Giver of the morning light, Who hast raised our Lord Jesus from the dead, on this first day of the week, that we might rejoice in it and keep it holy, a Sabbath of the heart.

Cleanse us now, we implore Thee, from all our sin and bathe us with the dew of Thy divine forgiveness, that we, being renewed in spirit, may enter gladly into the pure worship of this day, and serve Thee with heavenly meditation and holy music, with faithful prayer and thankful praise, with words of love and works of mercy, with joy in Thy creation and perfect peace in Thee, according to the teaching and the example of Thy Son, our living Saviour Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Almighty God, we praise Thee for the mercies which Thou has bestowed upon us as a household, and we beseech Thee to bless all the families of earth with a Father's blessing. Look mercifully upon the solitary and the lonely, the weary and the heavyladen, and grant them rest unto their souls. Pity and relieve the sorrows of all mankind. Shed abroad the holy influence of the Sabbath throughout our land, and keep our whole country, with those who are chosen to govern it, in the way of righteousness and peace. Finally we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all who are near and dear to us, wherever they may be to-day, praying Thee to watch over them, to provide for them, to bless them in body and soul, and at last to bring them and us into the perfect and eternal joy of heaven: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday.*

O God, our Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named: Bestow upon our household, at the beginning of this day, that grace which shall keep us in the fellowship of the Christian way: and grant unto each one of us that heavenly guidance and control, in all our labours, pleasures, and trials, which shall maintain our hearts in peace with one another and with Thee. Graciously help and prosper us in the doing of our various duties, with a willing and a cheerful mind: and defend us all, by Thine almighty power both from inward evil and from outward harm: so

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