Evening Prayer for a Child. O LORD, my heavenly Father! I thank thee that thou hast added another day to my life; and hast not suffered any evil to befall me. I praise thy name for the food which thou givest me, and the raiment with which I am clothed; for all the kindness of my parents and friends to me. Thy mercies, O God, are as many as the moments of my life. Especially I thank thee, that thou hast taught me, through Jesus Christ, what I ought to know and do, in order to be useful here, and happy hereafter. Bless my parents, my relations, my teachers and friends, and all my fellow men. O my Father! guide my inexperienced feet. As I grow in years may I grow in wisdom and in goodness. May I be industrious, so that I may be useful; and virtuous, so that I may be happy. May I avoid bad company; and seek continually to please thee. May I remember that thou art with me wherever I am, and that thou seest me in all I do. I would now remember what I have done this day; and if I have said or done any thing, contrary to thy holy will, I to forgive me. I desire to give up myself to thee for this night, and wilt thou defend me from pray thee every harm, and may I awake in the morning, prepared to serve thee better than I have ever served thee before. Hear me, O God, in these my prayers, through Jesus Christ. Amen. The Seaman's Prayer. O THOU, who stillest the raging of the sea, and the noise of its waves! All powerful God! I lift up mine eyes to thee, from whom cometh my help! Thou boldest the winds, and at thy command they go forth. Thou art God of the sea. Preserve and support me, I beseech thee, during my exposure on the deep. While I am thus dependant on thee, do thou be with me for my safety. Let me not utter thy name, but with the greatest reverence; nor forget, that to thee I owe my security, and that thou holdest my soul in life. Fortify me in the seasons of peril; not by blind courage, but by an unbounded confidence in thy care and goodness. May it please thee to give success to my undertakings; to conduct me safely to my desired haven, and return me to my family and friends with gratitude for thy sustaining providence. Enable me, O Father, to have a strong faith in him, who rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. May I ever say to my tempestuous passionsPeace, be still-and look forward toward the haven of eternal rest. And when the sea shall give up its dead, and each one be called to judgment, then may I find my name written in the book of life, through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen. For a Sick Person. ALMIGHTY and most merciful God! who hatest nothing that thou hast made! and who hast not thought even a crown of everlasting life too much to promise to thy children! I desire humbly to own and to reverence thy hand in my present sickness. May my bodily suffering make my heart better, and lead me more justly to value health and strength, and to employ them to nobler purposes than I have done, if this sickness shall not be unto death. May I take that view of life from my sick bed, which can be taken from no other place. With submission to thy will, I pray for the removal of my disorder, and for the perfect restoration of my health. Endue me with resignation, patience, and meekness, under the pains of disease and the irksomeness of confinement. Above all, prepare me for death. Blot out my numerous transgressions through thine infinite mercy, in Jesus Christ. O dispose me to do what is necessary for the great exchange of worlds. Thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve thy children, and I believe thou intendest good to me by this fatherly correction. O may I yet live to perform my duties more acceptably. May no increase of pain produce repining, or draw from me any inconsiderate prayer. Into thy hands I commend myself, desiring to be numbered with those who love thee, and to find by experience all things, and this sickness, especially, working my spiritual good. Help me to finish, while I live, the work thou hast given me to do. If I have injured any, I would be truly penitent, and when I die, may I be at peace with all men. O may I at this time, whatever the issue of this sickness may be, fix my heart steadfastly upon thee, and have a lively faith in that Saviour, who led the way through the grave to the immortality that is beyond it. Through the wil derness of this world, let me ever bless thee for the manna and the rock. On the brink of Jordan let thy promises be precious. In the last hour let my faith be strong, and grant me to ascend into thy blissful presence in the chariot of love and praise. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! Be my God in life, my hope in death, and my everlasting portion, through Jesus my Saviour. Amen. After Recovery from severe Sickness. BLESS the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercy. I praise thee, great God, that, although thou hast chastened me, thou hast not given me over unto death. I praise thee that thy powerful arm has arrested the progress of the destroyer, and helped me out of all my troubles. I thank thee for every comfort and alleviation of pain, with which thou hast been pleased to furnish me, and especially for the love of my friends, and the promises of thy Gospel. I acknowledge thine inexpressible |