2 Here in the body pent, Yet nightly pitch my moving tent 3 My Father's house on high, 4 Ah! then my spirit faints 5 "Forever with the Lord!" The promise of that faithful word 6 Be Thou at my right hand, Then I can never fail; Uphold Thou me, and I shall stand, Fight, and I must prevail. 7 So when my latest breath Shall rend the veil in twain, By death I shall escape from death, And life eternal gain. 8 Knowing as I am known, How shall I love that word, And oft repeat before the throne, "Forever with the Lord!" APPENDIX III. A MOTHER'S PRAYER Prayer of a Mother for Wayward Children ALMIGHTY GOD, Merciful Father, attend to the petitions of Thine handmaid, and forgive me all my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Graciously hear me as I pour out my heart before Thee in my great sorrow. For beside Thee there is no God to help me, I know of none other, to whom I may flee for succor. In Thee is my hope, Thou art my God from the day of my birth. Lord, Thou knowest the cause of my sorrow, before Thee is all my desire, and my sighs are not hid from Thee. Thou beholdest the grief which fills my heart on account of the disobedience and wickedness of my son (my child). As a precious gift from Thy hand did I receive him (it) and to Thee did I again consecrate him (it) in Holy Baptism. In heartfelt prayer have I daily commended him (it) unto Thee, and have ever sought to exhort him (it) to every good deed, (in order) that he (it) might walk uprightly before Thee, and be guided by Thy Word. But how shamefully has he (it) departed from the way, and suffered himself (itself) to be misled, by the devil and evil companions. From a vessel of honor, hallowed to Thee, he (it) has become a vessel of wrath, and must needs perish forever, unless Thou wilt graciously cleanse him (it) with the blood of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and save his (its) poor soul. O Lord, look upon him (it) in mercy, for the sake of the most perfect obedience of Thine own dear Son; remember not the sins of his (its) youth, nor his (its) many transgressions. Take his (its) poor soul into Thy tender care, that it may not perish, but may be plucked as a brand from the burning fire, and saved from eternal damnation. O Jesus, precious Savior, Thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Therefore, Thou didst become obedient to Thy Father in heaven unto death, even the death of the cross, and didst render satisfaction for the disobedience of all the children of men. Grant, I beseech Thee, that Thy suffering and dying for this wicked one may not be in vain, but do Thou guide him (it) by Thy Spirit, that he (she) may learn to see the error of his (her) way, consider well the punishment now and hereafter, in store for wayward children and impenitent sinners, and (may) turn to Thee in true penitence. Lord God, Holy Spirit, who dwellest in the hearts of men and rulest them according to Thy good pleasure, Thou hast taught many a prodigal son to see and bewail his wicked course, moved him to turn again to his Father, and become a new man. Unto Thee do I cry; do Thou incline the heart of my wayward son (child) to that which is good, renew his (its) mind, lead again his (its) feet into the path of true godliness, and turn him (her) (it) that he (it) may henceforth walk the way of Thy commandments to do them. Grant, that he (it) forsake the company of the wicked, and like the prodigal son, may ere long come back and say: I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son; in order that I with all my household may rejoice and say: Let us make merry and be glad, for this my son (child) was dead and is alive again, (and) was lost and is found. Likewise there will be joy in heaven among the angels of God over this sinner; then will I also with all my powers praise and extol Thee for this Thy mercy, in time and in eternity. O Lord, Thou triune God, have mercy upon me, hear my prayer, comfort and strengthen me in my great affliction. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation for the honor of Thy holy name. Amen. Prayer of a Mother before being Delivered of a Child LORD GOD And Father in heaven! The time has now come when, by Thy will, I must travail in labor. To Thine Almighty care do I resign myself with body and soul. Deal with me according to the good pleasure of Thy Fatherly will, and as Thou knowest it to be good for me. O Lord Jesus Christ, when Thou hadst instituted Thy Holy Sacrament, Thou didst in Thy parting words to Thy disciples, speak of the labor and anxiety of the woman about to be delivered, and also of her joy after the birth of the child, in order that Thou mightest comfort Thy Christians in their tribulations. I beseech Thee, by Thine agony and bloody sweat, by Thy death on the cross, strengthen me with the help and comfort of Thy Holy Spirit, in order that also I, after the anxiety and pain is past, may be made glad at the sight of the new-born babe, and the deliverance from my pain. But, if (indeed) the hour of my death has come, and I must give up my life in the travail, I pray Thee with all my heart not to let Thy bitter suffering and death be in vain for me, a poor sinner. My husband and my helpless little children I commend to (Thy care) Thee, who art called the Father of the orphans. |