PRAYERS.* Sunday Morning.† O ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, I prostrate myself before thee to present my humble prayers, and devout supplications, before the throne of thy sacred * Books of Prayers, says an admired writer, composed for private devotion, are very useful; and they are certainly not to be examined with great severity of judgment. + "Let that day," says the late pious and exemplary Bishop of London, (Porteus) be kept sacred to its original destination by all ranks of men, from the highest to the lowest. Let it not be profaned by needless journies, by splendid entertainments, by crouded assemblies, by any thing in short which precludes either ourselves, our families, or our domestics, from the exercise of religious duties, or the improvement of those pious sentiments and prayer, or in the domestic circle of my family, be conducive to my own peace and comfort, as well as to thy honour and glory. May it sink deep into my heart, and shine forth in my life and conversation. Let me be, O blessed Lord, not only a hearer of thy Word, but a doer* of it; that so I may be found worthy of thy protection, and be more fit for thy heavenly kingdom. Instil into my mind the genuine doctrines of Christianity. Give me grace to imitate the example of my blessed Redeemer, and to walk in his steps all the days of my life. Make me circumspect in all my doings, and mindful of my duty to thee, and my fellow-creatures. My sins and transgressions are many; and in * Read attentively the 1st chapter of The General Epistle of James. spite of my best endeavours to lead a holy and exemplary life, I am but too often led away by the customs and examples of this evil world. O pity my weakness, forgive my infirmities, and lay not to my charge the imperfections of my religious duties. Animate my sluggish heart, and cleanse it from all impurity. Replenish my soul with thy Holy Spirit, and make me fruitful in every good word and work. Show me in time the uncertainty of this life, and the awful concerns of a future state of existence. Let all my views be directed to that solemn end; and before I die, let my sins be blotted out for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. AMEN. Our Father, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. Sunday Evening. O THOU GREAT AND GLORIOUS GOD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! how kind and merciful art thou to the children of men! And yet, O blessed Lord, how often is thy holy name taken in vain, and how little do the generality of mankind regard thee with the reverence that is due to thy greatness, thy power, and thy dominion. Give me very different thoughts, and implant in my mind the utmost humility, and the most unfeigned devotion. Let me be unalterably persuaded, that "thy service is perfect freedom," and that, without thy favour and love, "I am of all creatures the most miserable!" Earnestly do I wish, O Lord God, that I was a blameless Christian. But, alas! how prone I am to offend thee, and how frequently do I forget the vows and resolutions which I have made to serve and obey thee. that my "conscience were void of offence both towards thee, and towards men!" O that 1 could be what I ought to be! But thou knowest whereof I am made, thou knowest that I am but dust. From "dust I came, and unto dust I must return." Have mercy upon me, and grant that I may sincerely repent of my past errors. Let the atoning blood of Jesus wash me thoroughly from my sins; let thy Holy Spirit descend into my soul; so that I may be enabled to persevere in my Christian course, and finish it with joy, and hope, and everlasting felicity. Give me such a zeal for thy service, and such a strong and ardent hope of attaini" |