faith; direct my soul; vouchsafe unto me spiritual mindedness as I watch upon my bed, and finally bring me to Thy blessedness, through Jesus Christ Thy Son my Saviour. Amen. (17) SHI THURSDAY. HINE into my heart, O loving Master, by the pure light of the knowledge of Thyself; and open the eyes of my mind to the contemplation of Thy Gospel teaching. Inspire me with the fear of Thy blessed commandments, so that overcoming all carnal appetites I may follow a spiritual life, thinking and doing all things according to Thy good pleasure. For Thou art my sanctification and my illumination, and to Thee I render glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. (18) I Or this. BESEECH Thee, Almighty God, let my soul enjoy this my desire, to be enkindled by Thy Spirit: that, being filled as a lamp with the Divine gift, I may be a burning and a shining light before the presence of Thy Son Christ at His coming; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (19) FRIDAY. BIDE with me, Lord God of Sabaoth, and, take heed unto me, and guide all my acts, words, and thoughts, that I may pass through the coming day in accordance with Thy will. Implant within me, O Lord, fear of Thee, contrition of heart, and purity of conscience. Grant me grace to look down upon the world; to look up towards heaven; to hate sin, and to love virtue. Confirm within me, O Lord, chaste thoughts, true patience, spiritual joy, a stable mind, unfeigned humility, and brotherly charity. Set a watch over mine eyes lest they behold vanity. Set a watch about * mine ears that they listen not to falsehood, but may always be ready daily to attend to Thy word. Set a watch over my hands that they do no wrong, but may ever, in quietness and peace, in cleanness and purity, be lifted up in prayer to Thee. Set a watch over my lips that I may utter no vain words, neither slandering those that are absent, nor speaking evil of those that are present, nor rendering unto any railing for railing; but that I may bless Thee, O Lord, at all times, and that Thy praise may always be in my mouth for ever and ever, through Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen. (20) ALL Or this. LL things in heaven and earth praise Thee, O God, Who by Thy Spirit teachest us to cast aside earthly things and to follow after the heavenly; to curb our flesh with self-denial, and purify our hearts with penitence; to be humble in prosperity, and constant in adversity; to hope for the promised knowledge of the truth, to enjoy the comforts of Thy Spirit, and to look for His coming. I beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy grace and the blessing of Thy Spirit may come upon me: that, being renewed and purified by Him, I may ever praise and glorify Him who reigneth with Thee and Thy Son, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. (21) SATURDAY. ETERNAL Jesus, Who art made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption: Give me of Thy abundant charity, that I may love the eternal benefit of my brother's soul, with a true, diligent, and affectionate care and tenderness. Give me a fellow-feeling of the calamities of others, a readiness to bear their burdens, aptness to forbear, wisdom to advise, counsel to direct, and a spirit of meekness and modesty trembling at my own infirmities, fearful in my brother's dangers, and joyful in his restoration to security. Lord, let all my actions be pious and prudent, and my whole life exemplary, and just, and charitable; that I may, like a lamp shining in Thy temple, serve Thee, and enlighten others, and guide them to Thy sanctuary; and that, shining clearly and burning zealously, when the Bridegroom shall come to bind up His jewels, and beautify His spouse, and gather His saints together, I and all Thy christian people, knit in a holy fellowship, may enter into the joy of our Lord, and partake of the eternal refreshments of the kingdom of light and glory, where Thou, O holy and eternal Jesu, livest and reignest in the excellencies of a kingdom, and the infinite durations of eternity. Amen. (22) I Or this. BESEECH Thee, O Lord my God, to gird up the loins of my mind by Thy Divine Power; that at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, I may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Intercessory Prayer, to be said daily, or upon BEHOL (23) EHOLD now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.Gen. xviii. 27. Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens. Arise, O Lord, and help us, And deliver us for thy mercy's sake. AVE mercy, O Lord God, upon Thy holy Ca purchased to Thyself, which hopefully awaits the coming of Thy Kingdom, and join together, I beseech Thee, all its members in concord and love and faith in Thee. Grant to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons that they may rightly divide the Word of Truth, and feed in holiness Thy flock committed to them. Bless all Kings and Princes who believe in Thy Name, with their subjects: have mercy upon all who strive in battle, or are in any other danger. Save us from war and captivity, from famine and pestilence. Remember the poor, widows and orphans, the sick and the afflicted, and reward with Thy blessing all who provide for their necessities. Give peace to our land, that we may serve Thee in quietness; bless the years with Thy goodness, make them fertile with rain and dew and temperate seasons, and with all abundance of the fruits of the earth: for Thou art merciful and compassionate, and from Thee all good things do come: wherefore to Thee I give all thanks and praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (24) For other Prayers see p. 186. Thanksgiving to be said daily, or upon Wednesday and Thursday. Praise the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, praise His holy Name. LORD, I give Thee humble and hearty thanks for the measure of knowledge which Thou hast given me of Thy truth; for giving me a love to it, and Thy Church: for the measure of rest and repose which Thou hast given me in Thee, without whom no true content is found. Lord I give Thee humble thanks likewise for the temporal blessings which Thou hast heaped upon me; for Lord, I cannot name all Thy blessings; how shall I thank Thee for them? Lord I will thank Thee for them by honouring Thee in them. O give me a heart to desire all this, and grace to perform it; that my sins may be forgiven me, and that I may be Thine, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (25) The Blessing. THE (26) |