> () O K C > F '\r \ OltSHIP ^# ^^:^ BV 200 .P928 1921 BV 200 .P928 1921 A book of family worship — t^^o A BOOK OF FAMILY WORSHIP PHILADELPHIA THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND SABBATH SCHOOL WORK 1921 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBUCATION AND SABBATH SCHOOL WORK PREFACE The preparation of a manual of Family Worship was com- mitted by the General Assembly to The Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work : and this book has been compiled by a committee of the Board, consisting of: Rev. Louis F. Benson, D.D., Chairman, Cheesman a. Herrick, Ph.D., LL.D., Rev. Frank Lukens, Rev. Harold McA. Robinson. The selection of Daily Psalms is by Dr. Benson; that of Daily Lessons, by Dr. John T. Faris. The Daily Prayers for the first week are by Dr. Benson; those for the second week are by Dr. Herrick; those for the third week are by Mr. Lukens; those for the fourth week are by Mr. Robinson; those for the fifth week are selected from The Book of Com- mon Worship. Of the Prayers for Certain Times and Seasons, those for Washington's Birthday, The Fourth of July, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and The Last Day of the Year, are by Dr. Benson; the others are taken from The Book of Common Worship. Of the Prayers for Certain Occasions of Family Life, those After the Birth of a Child, On The Day of a Child's Baptism, On a Birthday, At the Opening of School, On Entering a New Home, Before Going to the Lord's Table, After the Death of a Child, After the Death of a Parent, are by Dr. Benson : the others are from The Book of Common Worship. The Intercessions for Special Objects and Occasions and the Forms of Grace Before Meat are taken from The Book of Common Worship. CONCERNING THE USE OF THIS BOOK Fandly Prayer may begin fitly with a brief de^otiorml reading from the Psalms, followed by a Lesson from Scripture [see pages 7-20]. If any svecial member of the family is appoinied to read the Psalm or Lesson, M that one be ready with the place m the Bible found. Then after the Lesson, all kneeling, let the Prayers follow Tsee Da'ees 24-93]. Each prayer is divided into three para- aravhs [ (1) Introductory; (2) Supplications; (S) Interces- sions) ] in order that a pro^V^r for any special occasion [see pages 94-111] may be substituted for some one paragraph without prolonging the prayers. The Daily Prayers may be used consecutively during a period of five weeks, without regard to the day of the month. It will perhaps be more satisfactory to adapt them to the calendar month: beginning each month afresh with the prayers for that day of the First Week on which the first of the month falls, and ending) it with the prayers for that day of the Fourth or Fifth Week on which the month ends. Only, if the first of the monlh happens to be a Friday or Saturday, the month may run over into a sixth week. In such cases continue to use the Prayers for the la^t week of the preceding month on the Friday and Satur- day, and begin using the First Week's Prayers on Sunday, the second or third of the nwnlh. WorsUp may fitly close with the Lord's Prayer, worn of the ■petitions on page 22. This Closing Prayer to be said aloud by the whole family. Where Family Prayer is held once a day there will be a choice between the Psalms and Lessons appointed for that day. And if anything in the prayer appointed for any morning or evening prove untimely, Ut some other morning or evening prayer be used in its place. i CONTENTS Preface 3 Concerning the Use of This Book 4 A Psalm and a Lesson from Scripture for the Morning and Evening of Every Day in the Year 7 The Lord's Prayer and Other Closing Prayers . 22 A Morning and an Evening Prayer for Every Day IN the Month: The First Week 24 The Second Week 38 The Third Week 52 The Fourth Week 66 The Fifth Week 80 Prayers for Certain Times and Occasions: New Year's Day 94 Washington's Birthday 94 Good Friday 94 Easter Day 95 The Fourth of July 95 Labor Day 95 Thanksgiving Day and Harvest Home 96 Christmas Eve 97 Christmas Day 97 The Last Day of the Year 97 I A Day op Humiliation 98 In Time op Dearth and Famine 98 In Time op Pestilence 98 After a Great Disaster 99 In Time of Insurrection and Tumult 99 In Time of War 99 In Time op Peace Restored 100 5 CONTENTS Prayers for Certain Occasions of Family Life: page After the Birth of a Child 101 On THE Day OF A Child's Baptism 101 On a Birthday 101 At the Opening of School 102 On Entering a New Home „ . 102 Before Going to the Lord's Table 103 After Receiving the Lord's Supper . . . . . . 103 Upon the Coming of One of the Family into Full Communion with the Church 103 After the Death of a Child 104 After the Death of a Parent 104 After a Death in the Family 105 In Time of Distress 105 Intercessions for Special Objects and Persons: For Our Country 106 For the Church 106 For Missions 106 For Evangelistic Work 107 For the Young 107 For Sunday Schools 108 For Schools antd Colleges 108 For a Sick Person 109 For a Sick Child 109 For One Who Is near to Death 109 For One Restored from Sickness 110 For Departing Friends and Travellers .... 110 For a Person, or Persons, Going to Sea .... 110 For Our Enemies 110 For Benefactors Ill For the Absent » . . Ill Forms of Grace Before Meat 112 A PSALM AND A LESSON FROM SCRIPTURE FOR THE MORNING AND EVENING OF EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR « A PSALM AND A LESSON FOR SPECIAL DAYS HAVING NO FIXED DATE Morning Evening Good Friday Ps. xxii, 1-8 St. Matt, xxvii, 26-38 or, St. John xix, 25-34 Ps. Ixix, 1-11 Genesis xxii, 1-8 or, Isaiah liii Easter Day cxviii, 10-18 St. Matt, xxviii, 1-10 or, St. Luke xxiv, 1-9 cxviii, 19-29 St. Luke xxiv, 13- 17, 28-35 or, St. John xx, 19- 29 Labor Day viii Exod. XXXV, 29- 35 i I Cor. iii, 5-15 Harvest Ixv, 8-13 Lev. xxiii, 9-14 Ixvii St. Luke xii, 13-21 Home or, Deut. xi, 8-17 or, St. John vi, 26- 35 Thanksgiv- c Isaiah xii Ixvii Deut. xxvi, 1-11 ing Day A Day of li, 1-9 Isaiah Iv, 1-7 li, 10-19 Hosea, xiv Humilia- tion In Time of xlvi, 1-7 Job V, 6-18 xxiii II Cor. iv, 7-18 Trouble or, xci, 1-8 or, St. John xiv, 1-14 or, xci, 9-16 or, St. John xiv, 26- 31 or, cxxx or, St. Matt, vi, 25-34 or, cxlii or, St. Matt, x, 24- 32 In Affliction xxxix, 4-13 Rev. vii, 9-17 xxiii I Thess. iv, 13-18 or, xc, 1-10 or, St. John xi, or, xc, 11-17 or, St. Luke vii, 11- or, ciii, 12-18 30-44 or, II Sam. xii, 18- 23 or, cxxx 18 or, St. Mark x, 13- 16 8 JANUARY DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. xxxiii, 1-9 Gen. i. 1-5 Ps. xxiii St. John i. 1-8 2 i 6-8 ii, 1-8 i> 9-18 3 iii 9-13 iv i> 19-28 4 V, 1-8 14-19 viii i> 29-34 5 xi 20-23 xvi, 5-11 1) 35-42 6 XV 24-31 xviii. 1-6 i> 43-51 7 xix, 1-6 "> 1-3 xviii. 25-31 ii, 1-12 8 xix, 7-14 ^'> 4-7 xxi. 1-7 ii, 13-25 9 XX • iij 8-14 XXV, 1-7 iii. 1-13 10 xxiv, 1-6 11 > 15-18 XXV, 8-14 iii. 14-21 11 xxiv, 7-10 ii> 19-25 xxvii, 1-6 iii. 22-30 12 xxvi, 6-12 iii. 1-5 xxvii. 7-14 iii. 31-36 13 xxviii, 6^9 iii. 6-12 XXX, 1-5 iv, 1-15 14 xxix iii. 13-21 xxxi. 1-8 iv, 16-26 15 xxxii, 1-7 iii, 22-24 xxxi. 19-24 iv, 27-42 16 xxxii, 8-11 iv, 1-8 xxxiv. 1-7 iv, 43-54 17 xxxiii, 1-5 iv, 9-15 xxxiv. 8-14 V, 1-9 18 xxxiii, 6-9 vi, 1-8 xxxiv, 15-22 V, 9-18 19 xxxiii, 10-17 vi, 13-22 xxxvi. 5-10 V, 19-29 20 xxxiii. 18-22 vii. 1-5 xxxix. 1-6 V, 30-38 21 xxxvii. 1-7 vii. 6-12 xxxix, 7-13 V, 39-47 22 xxxvii, 16-22 vii. 13-24 xl, 1-6 vi. 1-14 23 xxxvii. 23-31 viii. 1-12 xl. 7-13 vi. 15-21 24 xxxvii. 34-40 viii. 13-22 xii. 1-4 vi. 22-29 25 xliii ix, 1-7 xlii, 1-5 vi. 29-40 26 xlv. 1-7 ix. 8-17 xlii. 6-11 vi, 41-51 27 xlv. 10-17 xi. 1-9 xlvi. 1-7 vi, 52-59 28 xlvii xii. 1-6 xlvi. 8-11 vi, 60-71 29 xlviii. 1-8 xii. 7-13 li, 1-9 vii. 1-13 30 xlviii. 9-14 xii, 14-20 li, 10-19 vii. 14-24 31 1, 1-6 xiii. 1-11 liii vii. 25-36 FEBRUARY DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps.l, 7-15 Gen. xiii, 12-18 Ps. liv St.John vii,37-44 2 Iv, 1-6 xiv. 17-24 Ivi, 8-13 vii, 45-52 3 Iv, 16-22 XV, 1-11 Ivii viii, 1-11 4 Ixi XV, 12-21 Ixii, 1-6 viii, 12-20 5 Ixiii, 1-7 xvii. 1-8 Ixii, 7-12 viii, 21-30 6 Ixv, 1-4 xvii. 15-22 Ixvi, 1-7 viii, 31^7 7 Ixv, 5-13 xviii, 1-8 Ixvi, 13-20 viii, 48-59 8 Ixviii, 1-6 xviii. 16-22 Ixvii ix. 1-12 9 Ixviii, 14-20 xviii. 23-33 Ixx • ix. 13-23 10 Ixviii, 28-35 xix, 12-16 Ixxi, 1-5 ix, 24-34 11 Ixxii, 1-9 xix. 17-22 Ixxi, 12-18 ix, 35-41 12 Ixxii, 10-19 xix, 23-29 Ixxi, 19-24 X, 1-6 13 Ixxiii, 21-28 xxi, 1-8 Ixxv x, 7-18 14 Ixxvi, 1-10 xxii, 1-8 Ixxvii, 1-10 X, 19-30 15 Ixxviii, 1-8 xxii, 9-19 Ixxvii, 11-20 X, 31-42 16 Ixxix, 8-13 xxiv, 1-9 Ixxx, 1-7 xi. 1-16 17 Ixxxi, 1-7 xxiv, 10-21 Ixxxii xi, 17-27 18 Ixxxi, 8-16 xxiv. 22-28 Ixxxiv, 1-7 xi, 28-46 19 Ixxxv, 1-7 xxiv. 29-41 Ixxxiv, 8-12 xi, 47-57 20 Ixxxv, 8-13 xxiv, 42^9 Ixxxvi, 1-10 xii, 1-11 21 Ixxxvii xxiv. 50-60 Ixxxvi, 11-17 xii, 12-19 22 Ixxxix, 1-7 xxiv. 61-67 xc, 1-10 xii. 20-36 23 Ixxxix, 8-14 XXV, 5-11 xc. 11-17 xii, 37-43 24 Ixxxix, 1^18 XXV, 27-34 xci, 1-8 xii, 44-50 25 Ixxxix, 19-27 xxvi, 12-22 xci, 9-16 xiii, 1-11 26 Ixxxix, 28-37 xxvi, 23-33 xcii. 1-8 xiii. 12-20 27 Ixxxix, 46-52 xxvii, 1-10 xcii, 9-15 xiii. 21-30 28 xciii xxvii. 11-20 xciv, 1-11 xiii. 31-38 29 xcv - xxvii, 21-29 xciv. 12-19 xiv, 1-14 10 MARCH DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps.xcvi,l-7 Gen. xxvii , 30-40 Ps.xcvii,l-6 St. John xiv 15-24 2 xcvi, 8-13 xxvii. 41-46 xcvii , 7-12 xiv. 25-31 3 xcviii xxviii. 10-15 xcix XV, 1-16 4 c xxviii. 16-22 ci XV, 17-27 5 ciii, 1-7 xxix. 1-12 cii. 11-15 xvi. 1-15 6 ciii, 8-14 xxix. 13-20 cii. 16-22 xvi. 16-24 7 ciii, 15-22 xxxii. 1-12 cii. 23-28 xvi, 25-33 8 civ, 1-9 xxxii. 13-21 cv. 1-7 xvii, 1-14 9 civ, 10-15 xxxii, 22-32 cv. 8-15 xvii, 9, 15-26 10 civ. 16-23 xxx\ai. 1-8 cvi. 1-8 xviii. 1-11 11 civ. 24-30 xxxvii, 9-14 cvii, 1-9 xviii, 12-18 12 civ. 30-35 xxxvii. 15-22 cvii, 10-16 xviii. 19-27 13 cviii, 1-6 xxxvii. 23-28 cvii, 17-22 xviii. 28-32 14 cviii. 7-13 xxxvii, 29-36 cvii. 23-32 xviii. 33-40 15 ex xxxix. 1-6 cvii. 33^3 xix. 1-12 16 cxi xxxix, 19-23 cxii xix. 13-22 17 cxiii xl. 1-8 cxiv xix, 23-30 18 cxv, 1-8 xl, 9-15 cxvi, 1-9 xix. 31-37 19 cxv. 9-18 xl. 16^23 cxvi, 10-19 xix. 38-42 20 cxvii < ind cxviii 1-4 xli, 1-8 cxix. 1-8 XX, 1-10 21 cxviii, 5-9 xli, 9-13 cxix, 9-16 XX, 11-18 22 cxviii, 10-18 xU, 14-24 cxix, 17-24 XX, 19-29 23 cxviii, 19-24 xli, 25-36 cxix, 25-32 xxi, 1-14 24 cxviii, 25-29 xli. 37-45 cxix. 33-40 xxi, 15-25 25 cxix, 41-48 xli. 46-57 cxix. 49-56 St. Matt, ii, 1-12 26 cxix, 57-64 xlii. 1-6 cxix, 65-72 ", 13-18 27 cxix, 73-80 xlii. 7-17 cxix. 81-88 ii, 19-23 28 cxix. 89-96 xlii. 18-24 cxix. 97-104 iii. 1-12 29 cxix, 105-1 12 xlii, 25-34 cxix. 113-120 iii, 13-17 30 cxix,121-128 xlii, 35-38 cxix, 129-136 iv, 1-11 31 cxix, 137-144 xliii, 1-7 cxix, 145-152 iv, 12-17 11 APRIL DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps.cxix ,153-100 Gen.xliii,8-14 Ps.cxix 161-168 St. Matt .iv, 18-25 2 cxix, 169-176 xliii, 15-25 cxx V, 1-9 3 cxxi xliii, 26-34 cxxiii V, 10-16 4 cxxii xliv, 1-10 cxxiv V, 17-26 5 cxxv xliv, 11-17 cxxvi V, 27-37 6 cxxvii xliv. 19-24 cxxviii V, 38-48 7 cxxix xliv. 25-34 cxxx vi, 1-15 8 cxxxi xlv. 1-8 cxxxii. 1-10 vi, 16^23 9 cxxxiii xlv. 9-20 cxxxii. 11-18 vi, 24-34 10 cxxxiv xlv. 21-28 cxxxv, 1-5 vii, 1-12 11 cxxxvi, 1-9 xlvi. 1-7 cxxxv, 6-13 vii. 13-23 12 cxxxrv'i, 1 and 10-15 xlvi. 28-34 cxxxv. 14-21 vii. 24-29 13 cxxxvi, 1 and 16-26 xlvii, 1-12 cxxxvii viii. 1-13 14 cxxx\aii xlvii. 13-19 cxxxix. 1-6 viii. 14-22 15 cxl, 1-7 xlvii, 20-26 cxxxix. 7-16 viii. 23-27 16 cxli, 1-8 xlvii. 27-31 cxxxix, 17-24 viii. 28-34 17 cxlii 1, 1-8 cxliii, 1-6 ix. 1-13 18 cxliii, 7-12 1, 15-21 cxliv. 1-8 ix. 14-17 19 cxlv, 1-7 Ex.i, 8-13 cxliv. 9-15 ix, 18-26 20 cxlv, 8-13 ii, 1-10 cxlvi ix, 27-38 21 cxlv, 14-21 ii, 11-15 cxlvii, 1-6 X, 1-15 22» cxlviii. 1-6 ii, 16-25 cxlvii. 7-11 X, 16-23 23 cxlviii. 7-14 iii. 1-10 cxlvii, 12-20 X, 24-33 24 cxlix iii, 11-16 cl X, 34-42 25 XV iii, 17-22 XX xi, 1-6 26 xxiii iv, 1-9 xxvii. 1-6 xi. 7-19 27 XXV, 1-7 iv, 10-17 xxxii, 1-7 xi. 20-24 28 Ixvii V, 1-9 Ixiii, 1-8 xi. 25-30 29 Ixx V, 10-19 xci, 1-8 xii. 1-8 30 xciii xi xci, 9-16 xii, 9-14 12 MAY DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. i Ex. xii. 1-6 Ps. ii. 7-12 St. Matt. xii, 15-21 2 iii xii. 7-14 iv xii, 22-29 3 xi xii. 15-20 V, 1-8 xii. 30-37 4 xvi, 5-11 xii, 21-28 viii xii. 38-45 5 xviii, 1-6 xii. 29-36 XV xii. 46-50 6 xviii, 25-31 xii. 37-42 xix. 1-6 xiii. 1-9 7 xxi, 1-7 xiv, 5-12 xix. 7-14 xiii. 10-17 8 xxiii xiv, 13-20 XX xiii. 18-30 9 XXV, 1-7 xiv, 21-25 xxiv. 1-6 xiii. 31-43 10 XXV, 8-14 xiv, 26-31 xxiv. 7-10 xiii. 44-52 11 xxvii, 1-6 XV, 1-11 xxvi. 6-12 xiii. 53-58 12 xxvii, 7-14 XV, 20-26 xxviii, 6-9 xiv, 1-12 13 xxx, 1-5 xvi. 4-12 xxix xiv, 13-21 14 xxxi. 1-8 xix, 1-8 xxxii. 1-7 xiv. 22-36 15 xxxi. 19-24 XX, 1-7 xxxii. 8-11 XV, 1-9 16 xxxiv. 1-7 XX, 8^17 xxxiii. 1-5 XV, 10-20 17 xxxiv. 8-14 xxxii. 1-6 xxxiii, 6-9 XV, 21-31 18 xxxiv, 15-22 xxxii. 7-14 xxxiii. 10-17 XV, 32-39 19 xxxvi, 5-10 xxxii, 15-20 xxxiii. 18-22 xvi, 1-12 20 xxxix, 1-6 xxxii, 21-29 xxxvii, 1-7 xvi, 13-20 21 xxxix, 7-13 xxxii. 30-35 xxxvii. 16-22 xvi, 21-28 22 xl. 1-6 xxxiv, 1-9 xxxvii, 23-31 xvii. 1-8 23 xl, 7-13 xxxiv, 29-35 xxxvii. 34-40 xvii, 9-18 24 xli, 1-4 Deut. xi, 18-25 xliii xvii, 19-27 25 xlii. 1-5 xxxi, 1-8 xiv, 1-7 x\aii, 1-6 26 xlii. 6-11 xxxiv, 1-9 xiv, 10-17 xviii, 7-14 27 xlvi. 1-7 Josh, i, 1-9 xlvii xviii. 15-22 28 xlvi, 8-11 iii, 1-6 xlviii. 1-8 xviii. 23-35 29 li, 1-9 iii, 7-13 xlviii, 9-14 xix. 13-22 30 li, 10-19 iii. 14-17 1, 1-6 xix. 23-30 31 liii iv, 1-7 1, 7-15 XX, 1-16 13 JUNE DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. liv Josh, vi , 1-7 Ps. Iv, 1-6 St.Matt. XX, 20-28 2 lvi,l-3,&8-13 vi, 8-14 Iv, 16-22 XX, 29-34 3 Ivii vi, 15-21 Ixi xxi. 1-11 4 Ixii, 1-6 Judg. ii , 6-15 Ixiii, 1-7 xxi, 12-17 5 Ixii, 7-12 ii, 16-23 Ixv, 1-4 xxi, 18-22 6 Ixvi, 1-7 vi, 1-10 Ixv, 5-13 xxi, 23-32 7 Ixvi, 13-20 vi, 11-18 Ixviii, 1-6 xxi. 33-46 8 Ixvii vi. 19-24 Ixviii, 15-20 xxii. 1-14 9 Ixx vi. 25-27 Ixviii, 28-35 xxii, 15-22 10 Ixxi, 1-5 vi. 28-32 Ixxii, 1-9 xxii. 23-33 11 Ixxi, 12-18 vi. 33-40 Ixxii, 10-19 xxii. 34-46 12 Ixxi, 19-24 vii. 1-8 Ixxiii, 21-28 xxiii. 1-12 13 Ixxv vii, 9-14 Ixxvi, 1-10 xxiii. 13-22 14 Ixxvii, 1-10 vii, 15-18 Ixxviii, 1-8 xxiii. 23-28 15 Ixxvii, 11-20 vii. 19-23 Ixxviii, 9-19 xxiii. 29-39 16 Ixxx, 1-7 xiv, 1-9 Ixxix, 8-13 xxiv, 42-51 17 Ixxxii xiv, 10-20 Ixxxi, 8-16 XXV, 1-13 18 Ixxxiv, 1-7 xvi, 4-12 Ixxxv, 1-7 XXV, 14-30 19 Ixxxiv, 8-12 xvi, 13-17 Ixxxv, 8-13 XXV, 31-46 20 Ixxxvi, 1-10 xvi, 18-22 Ixxxvii xxvi. 1-13 21 Ixxxvi, 11-17 xvi, 23-27 Ixxxix, 1-7 xxvi, 14-25 22 xc, 1-10 xvi, 28-31 Ixxxix, 8-14 xxvi. 26-35 23 xc, 11-17 Ruth i. 1-5 Ixxxix, 15-18 xxvi. 36-46 24 xci, 1-8 i, 6-14 Ixxxix, 19-27 xxvi. 47-56 25 xci, 9-16 i, 15-22 Ixxxix, 28-37 xxvi, '57-68 26 xcii, 1-8 ii. 1-7 Ixxxix, 46-52 xxvi. 69-75 27 xcii, 9-15 ii, 8-14 xciii xxvii. 1-10 28 xciv, 1-11 ii, 15-23 xcv xxvii. 11-26 29 xciv, 12-19 iii, 1-5 xcvi. 1-7 xxvii. . 27-44 30 xcvii, 1-6 iii. 6-13 xcvi, 8-13 xxvii. 45-56 14 JULY DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps.xcvii,7-12 Ruth ii] 1,14-18 Ps. xcviii St.Matt. xxvii 57-66 2 xcix iv, 1-8 c xxviii, 1-10 3 ci iv. 9-17 ciii, 1-7 xxviii. 11-20 4 Ixxxi , 1-7 Deut.viii,7-20 cxliv, 9-15 xxii. 15-22 5 cii, 11-15 I Sam. i, 1-8 ciii, 8-14 St. Mark i, 1-13 6 cii, 16-22 ^> 9-18 ciii, 1&-22 ^j 14-28 7 cii, 23-28 h 19-28 civ, 1-9 ^j 29-39 8 cv, 1-7 ii, 1-8 civ, 10-15 ii. 1-12 9 cv, 8-15 ii, 18-26 civ, 16-23 ii, 18-28 10 cvi, 1-8 iii. 1-9 civ, 24-30 V, 1-17 11 cvii, 1-9 iii, 10-14 civ. 30-35 V, 21-24, 35-43 12 cvii, 10-16 iii. 15-21 cviii. 1-6 vi, 45-52 13 cvii, 17-22 viii. 1-9 cviii, 7-13 viii, 31-38 14 cvii, 23-32 viii. 10-22 ex ix, 2-13 15 cvii, 33-43 ix, 1-4 cxi X, 13-22 16 cxii ix. 5-10 cxiii X, 23-31 17 cxvi, 1-9 ix. 11-17 cxv. 1-8 X, 35-45 18 cxvi, 10-19 ix, 18-24 cxv. 9-18 xi, 1-10 19 cxix, 1-8 X, 1-8 cxvii, cxviii, 1-4 xi. 11-18 20 oxix, 9-16 X, 9-13 cxviii , 5-9 xiv, 1-11 21 cxix. 17-24 xiii. 1-7 cxviii , 10-18 xiv, 12-21 22 cxix, 25-32 xiii. 8-15 cxviii ,1^24 xiv, 22-31 23 cxix. 33-40 XV, 16^23 cxviii ,25-29 xiv, 32-42 24 cxix. 49-56 XV, 24-31 cxix, 41-48 xiv, 43-50 25 cxix. 65-72 xvi, 1-5 cxix. 57-64 xiv, 66-72 26 cxix. 81-88 xvi. 6-13 cxix. 73-80 XV, 1-15 27 cxix. 97-104 xvi, 14-23 cxix. 89-96 XV, 16-32 28 cxix. 113-120 xvii. 1-10 cxix. 105-112 XV, 33-41 29 cxix, 129-136 xvii, 11-19 cxix. 121-128 XV, 42-47 30 cxix, 145-152 xvii, 20-27 cxix. 137-144 xvi. 1-8 31 cxix, 161-168 xvii, 28-37 cxix. 153-160 St. Luke ii. 40-52 15 AUGUST DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. cxx I Sam. xvii, Ps. cxix 169- St. Luke vii,2-10 38-49 176 2 cxxiii xvii, 50-58 cxxi vii. 11-23 3 cxxiv xviii, 1-9 cxxii vii, 24-35 4 cxxvi xxiv, 1-7 cxxv vii, 36-50 5 cxxviii xxiv. 8-15 cxxvii ix, 18-27 6 cxxx xxiv, 16-22 cxxix X, 25-37 7 cxxxii, 1-10 xxxi, 1-6 cxxxi X, 38-42 8 cxxxii, 11-18 xxxi, 7-13 cxxxiii xi, 5-13 9 cxxxv, 1-5 II Sam. i. 1-10 cxxxiv xiii. 10-21 10 cxxxv, 6-13 i, 11-16 cxxxvi. 1-9 xiii, 22-30 11 cxxxv, 14-21 i, 17-27 cxxxvi, 1,10-15 xiv, 1-11 12 cxxxvii V, 1-10 cxxxvi, 1,16-26 xiv, 12-24 13 cxxxix, 1-6 vi, 1-5 cxxxvii I XV, 1-10 14 cxxxix, 7-16 vi, 6-15 cxl. 1-7 XV, 11-24 15 cxxxix, 17-24 vi, 16-19 cxli, 1-8 xix. 29-40 16 cxliii, 1-6 vii, 1-7 cxlii xxii, 1-13 17 cxliv, 1-8 vii, 8-17 cxliii. 7-12 xxii, 14-23 18 cxliv, 9-15 vii, 18-27 cxlv. 1-7 xxii. 24-34 19 cxlvi ix, 1-8 cxlv. 8-13 xxii. 35-46 20 cxlvii, 1-6 XV, 1-6 cxlv. 14-21 xxii. 47-53 21 cxlvii, 7-11 XV, 7-12 cxlviii. 1-6 xxii. 54-62 22 cxlvii, 12-20 xviii. 1-8 cxlviii. 7-14 xxiii. 1-12 23 cl xviii, 9-17 cxlix xxiii. 13-26 24 XX xviii, 18-23 XV xxiii, ' 27-38 25 xxvii, 1-6 xviii. 23-33 xxiii xxiii. 39-49 26 xxxii, 1-7 xix. 1-8 XXV, 1-7 xxiii, 50-56 27 Ixiii, 1-8 xxi. 1-10 Ixvii xxiv. 1-12 28 xci, 1-8 xxii, 1-7 Ixx xxiv. 13-24 29 xci, 9-16 I Kings i 15-21 xciii xxiv, 25-35 30 c h 22-27 cxxiii xxiv. 36-43 31 cxxi h 28-37 cxxiv xxiv, 44-53 16 SEPTEMBER DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. i I Kings ii 1-4, 10-12 Ps. ii. 1-8 Acts i, 1-11 2 iii iii, 1-9 iv i. 12-26 3 V, 1-8 iii, 10-15 viii ii, 1-13 4 xi V, 1-6 xvi, 5-11 iii. 1-10 5 XV V, 7-12 xviii, 1-6 iv, 5-12 6 xix, 1-6 viii, 1-11 xviii. 25-31 iv, 13-22 7 xix, 7-14 viii, 12-21 xxi. 1-7 iv, 31-37 8 XX viii. 22-30 XXV, 1-7 V, 1-11 9 xxiv, 1-6 viii. 54-62 XXV, 8-14 vi, 1-6 10 xxiv, 7-10 ix, 1-9 xxvii. 1-6 vi, 7-15 11 xxvi, 6-12 X, 1-10 xxvii, 7-14 vii. 51-60 12 xxviii, 6-9 xi, 9-13 XXX, 1-5 viii. 1-8 13 xxix xi, 41, toxii, 5 xxxi. 1-8 ix, 1-9 14 xxxii, 1-7 xii, 6-11 xxxi. 19-24 ix, 36-43 15 xxxii, 8-11 xii, 12-20 xxxiv. 1-7 X, 1-8 16 xxxiii, 1-9 xvii, 1-7 xxxiv. 8-14 X, 9-16 17 xxxiii, 10-17 xvii, 8-16 xxxiv. 15-22 X, 17-23 18 xxxiii, 18-22 xvii, 17-24 xxxvi. 5-10 X, 24-33 19 xxxvii, 1-7 xviii, 1-6 xxxix. 1-6 X, 34-43 20 xxxvii, 16-22 xviii, 7-16 xxxix. 7-13 xii. 1-10 21 xxxvii, 23-31 xviii, 17-24 xl. 1-6 xii, 11-19 22 xxxvii, 34-40 xviii, 25-30 xl. 7-13 xiii, 1-12 23 xliii xviii, 31-40 xlii. 1-5 xiv» 1-7 24 xlv, 1-7 xviii. 41-46 xlii, 6-11 xiv. 8-18 25 xlv, 10-17 xix, 1-8 xlvi. 1-7 xiv. 19-28 26 xlvii xix. 9-14 xlvi. 8-11 xvi. 1-10 27 xlviii, 1-8 xix. 15-21 Ii, 1-9 xvi. 11-18 28 xlviii, 9-14 xxi, 1-4 Ii, 10-19 xvi, 19-34 29 1, 1-6 xxi, 5-10 liii xvi. 35-40 30 1, 7-15 xxi. 11-16 liv xvii. 1-9 17 OCTOBER DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. Iv, 1-6 I Kings xxi, Ps. Ivi, 1-3, Acts xxi, 17-26 17-22, 27-29 8-13 2 Iv, 16-22 II Kings ii, 1-5 Ivii xxi. 27-36 3 Ixi ii, 6-12 Ixii, 1-6 xxiii, 1-11 4 Ixiii, 1-7 ii, 13-18 Ixii, 7-12 xxiii, 12-24 5 Ixv, 1-4 iv, 1-7 Ixvi, 1-7 xxvii, 1-8 6 Ixv, 5-13 iv, 8-16 Ixvi, 13-20 xxvii, 9-26 7 Ixviii, 1-6 iv, 17-24 Ixvii xxvii. 27-44 8 Ixviii, 15-20 iv, 25-31 Ixx xxviii, 1-6 9 Ixviii, 28-35 iv. 32-37 Ixxi, 1-5 xxviii, 7-16 10 Ixxii, 1-9 V, 1-8 Ixxi, 12-18 xxviii, 17-31 11 Ixxii, 10-19 V, 9-16 Ixxi, 19-24 Romans i, 1-7 12 Ixxiii, 21-28 V, 20-27 Ixxv i. 8-17 13 Ixxvi, 1-10 vi, 8-16 Ixxvii, 1-10 i, 18-25 14 Ixxviii, 1-8 vi. 17-23 Ixxvii, 11-20 ii. 1-16 15 Ixxix, 8-13 xxii, 1-7 Ixxx, 1-7 V, 1-11 16 Ixxxi, 1-7 xxii. 8-13 Ixxxii V, 12-21 17 Ixxxi, 8-16 xxii, 14-20 Ixxxi V, 1-7 vi, 1-11 18 Ixxxv, 1-7 II Chron . XXX vi, 11-21 Ixxxiv, 8-12 vi, 12-23 19 Ixxxv, 8-13 Neh. i. 1-9 Ixxxvi, 1-10 vii, 15-25 20 Ixxxvii ii, 1-8 Ixxxvi, 11-17 viii, 1-1 i 21 Ixxxix, 1-7 ii, 12-20 xc, 1-10 viii, 12-25 22 Ixxxix, 8-14 Job i, 1-5 xc, 11-17 viii, 26-39 23 Ixxxix, 15-18 i, 6-12 xci. 1-8 xii, 1-8 24 Ixxxix, 19-27 i, 13-22 xci, 9-16 xii, 9-21 25 Ixxxix, 28-37 xlii, 10-17 xcii. 1-8 xiii, 7-14 26 lxxxix,46-52 Prov. i. 1-10 xcii. 9-15 xiv, 13-23 27 xciii iii. 1-10 xciv. 1-11 XV, 1-13 28 xcv X, 1-9 xciv. 12-19 XV, 14-21 29 xcvi, 1-7 XV, 1-9 xcvii, 1-6 XV, 22-33 30 xcvi, 8-13 xxii, 1-12 xcvii, 7-12 I Cor. i. 1-9 31 xcviii xxvii, 1-9 xcix i, 10-17 18 NOVEMBER DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. c Eccl. xii. 1-7 Ps. ci I Cor. i. 18-25 2 ciii, 1-7 Isa. vi. 1-8 cii, 11-15 i, 26-31 3 ciii, 8-14 ix, 1-7 cii, 16-22 iii. 1-10 4 ciii, 15-22 xi. 1-9 cii, 23-28 iii. 11-23 5 civ, 1-9 xxvi. 1-10 cv. 1-7 viii. 1-13 6 civ, 10-15 xxviii, 5-14 cv. 8-15 X, 23-33 7 civ. 16-23 XXXV, 1-10 cvi, 1-8 xii, 1-11 8 civ. 24-30 xxxvii. 14-20 cvii, 1-9 xii,12, 13, 27-31 9 civ, 31-35 xxxviii. 1-8 cvii. 10-16 xiii. 1-13 10 cviii. 1-6 xl, 1-11 cvii. 17-22 XV, 1-11 11 cviii, 7-13 xlii, 1-7 cvii, 23-32 XV, 12-25 12 ex lii, 1-8 cvii. 33-43 XV, 35-49 13 cxi liii. 1-6 cxii XV, 50-58 14 cxiii liii. 7-12 cxiv II Cor. i, 3-11 15 cxv, 1-8 Iv, 1-5 cxvi, 1-9 V, 1-10 16 cxv, ^18 Iv, 6-13 cxvi, 10-19 V, 11-21 17 cxvii,cxviii,l-4 Ix, 1-9 cxix. 1-8 vi, 1-10 18 cxviii, 5-9 Ixi, 1-6 cxix. 9-16 vi, 11-18 19 cxviii. 10-18 Jer. xxxv. 12-19 cxix. 17-24 xi. 24-33 20 cxviii, 19-24 Ezek.xxxvi , 25-31 cxix, 25-32 Gal. iii, 5-14 21 cxviii, 25-29 xxxvii, 1-14 cxix, 33-40 iv, 1-7 22 cxix. 41-48 Dan. i, 8-17 cxix, 49-56 vi, 1-10 23 cxix. 57-64 iii. 13-23 cxix, 65-72 Eph. i. 3-14 24 cxix. 73-80 iii, 24r-30 cxix, 81-88 i, 15-23 25 cxix. 89-96 vi, 1-9 cxix, 97-104 ii, 1-10 26 cxix, 105-112 vi, 10-15 cxix. 113-120 iii, 14-21 27 cxix. 121-128 vi. 16-23 cxix. 129-136 iv, 1-13 28 cxix, 137-144 Hosea vi cxix. 145-152 iv, 20-32 29 cxix. 153-160 xiv cxix, 161-168 V, 1-14 30 cxix, 169-176 Joel ii, 21-32 cxx vi, 1-4 10-20 19 DECEMBER DAY MORNING EVENING 1 Ps. cxxi Amos V, 1-9 Ps. cxxiii Phil, i. 3-11 2 cxxii vi, 1-8 cxxiv i, 21-30 3 cxxv viii, 4-10 cxxvi ii, 5-11 4 cxxvii Jonah i, 1-10 cxxviii ii, 12-18 5 cxxix i, 11-17 cxxx iii. 7-15 6 cxxxi ii, 1-10 cxxxii. 1-10 iii. 13-21 7 cxxxiii iii, 1-9 cxxxii. 11-18 iv, 4^13 8 cxxxiv iii, 10 to iv, 5 cxxxv. 1-5 Col. i. 9-23 9 cxxxvi, 1-9 iv, 6-11 cxxxv, 6-13 iii, 1-15 10 cxxxvi, 1, 10-15 Micah iv, 1-8 cxxxv, 14-21 IThess.iv ,13-18 11 cxxxvi, 1, 16-26 Nahum i, 1-8 cxxxvii V, 1-11 12 cxxxviii Haggai ii, 1-9 cxxxix. 1-6 II Tim.ii, 1-13 13 cxl, 1-7 Zach. iii, 1-5 cxxxix. 7-16 Philem. 5-19 14 cxli, 1-8 iii, 6-10 cxxxix, 17-24 Pleb. iii. 7-19 15 cxlii iv, 1-10 cxliii, 1-6 iv, 1-11 16 cxliii, 7-12 viii, 1-8 cxliv, 1-8 xi, 1-10 17 cxlv, 1-7 xiii cxliv, 9-15 xi, 13-22 18 cxlv, 8-13 Mai. i, 1-18 cxlvi xi, 23-31 19 cxlv, 14-21 i, 9-14 cxlvii, 1-6 xi. 32-40 20 cxlviii. 1-6 iii, 1-6 cxlvii. 7-11 James i, 17-27 21 cxlviii, 7-14 iii, 7-12 cxlvii, 12-20 iii, 1-12 22 cxlix iii, 13-18 cl I John i , 1-10 23 xxiii iv, 1-6 xxvii, 1-6 Isaiah ix, 2-7 24 XXV, 1-7 St. Luke i, 26-38 cxviii. 19-26 St. Luke ] ,46-56 25 Ixxii, 1-9 ii, 1-7 Ixxii, 10-19 i, 67-79 26 xxxii, 1-7 ii, 8-20 Ixvii Rev. vii , ^17 27 Ixiii, 1-8 St.Matt.ii,l-12 Ixviii, 1-6 xxi. 1-7 28 Ixxxiv, 1-7 St. Luke ii, 25-32 bcx xxi. 22-27 29 Ixxxiv, 8-12 St. Matt, ii, 13-21 xci, 1-8 xxii. 1-9 30 Lxxxv, 8-13 St.Lukeii,40-51 xci. 9-16 xxii. 10-16 31 xc, 1-10 Eccl. xii, 1-7 xc, 11-17 xxii. 17-21 20 A MORNING AND AN EVENING PRAYER FOR EVERY DAY IN THE MONTH CLOSING PRAYERS 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. A f TRESPASSES ] a And forgive us our [ de^ts J » ^^we forgive r those who trespass against us. ) [ OUR debtors. J And lead us not into temptation, But de- liver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AmEN. (Or, one of these may be used instead of the Lord*s Prayer): IN THE MORNING OR EVENING ^ Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common suppUcations unto Thee: and dost promise that when two or three are gathered to- gether in Thy Name Thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants, ais may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life ever- lasting. Amen. 22 CLOSING PRAYERS ^ O almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we be- seech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies in the ways of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy commandments; that through Thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. ^ Lord Jesus Christ, who hast died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Thee; Be Thou our strength every morning, and our rest when the shadows of the evening are stretched out, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. IN THE EVENING fl O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that by Thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness ; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. ^Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, Lord; and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 28 SUNDAY MORNING First Week ^ O God; who hast given us this day of rest; Grant that Thy constant presence may hallow it, and that Thy love may draw all our hearts to Thee ; for we are Thine, and not another's, and this is the day which Thou hast made. ^ Uplift our eyes unto Thy holy hill, and keep our thoughts from wandering after vain things. Gladden our hearts as we go into Thy house, O Lord, and prepare us to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Teach us how to pray, and tune our lips to sing the songs of Zion. Help us to keep this day unspotted from the world, in remembrance of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. ^ Bless, Lord, Thy Church through all the world : the min- isters of Thy word, and so many as have named the Name of Christ. Help Thy servants to declare the whole truth, and Thy people to praise Thee in holy lives. Especially we pray for Thy Church in this place, that it may shine with the light of Thy presence, and reveal to many the path of life. Grant that a special blessing rest upon those who teach and learn in the Sunday schools; that youth may put on the armor of the Lord and defend the purity of our homes. Preserve them and us from all assaults of the enemy, and succor those who have lost the road to heaven: for Christ's sake. f OUR FATHER . . . 24 First Week SUNDAY EVENING ^ Abide with us, O Lord, for it is evening and the day of rest is far spent. For its quiet, its high privileges, and its means of grace, we bless Thy Name; and pray that it leave us not without Thy peace in every heart and Thy blessing in our home. ^ Let it not be in vain that Thou hast died iov any one of us, and that Thou hast sounded in our ears this day the gospel of God's love. Forgive the weakness of our faith, the coldness of our devotions, the thoughts that have strayed from the holy places. Lord, make a Sabbath in our very hearts, and kindle there the lamp of Thy real presence. In that glow of Thine indwelling love may we put on more humility and gentleness, and give out more syrapathy and helpfulness; and so become Thy witnesses to men and lights set in the darkness of the world. ^ If there be any one of us living for this world alone, O Thou Good Shepherd, who didst lay down Thy life for the sheep, bring that wanderer into Thy fold. If there be any one under some special stress of temptation, strengthen that heart, O God, and shield that life from wrong. If there be any life laden with sorrow or perplexity, send Thy Comforter to counsel or console. Out of the shadows that are fallen on Thy holy day, we lift our hands and pray, for Jesus' sake. f OUR FATHER 25 MONDAY MORNING First Week ^ O God, the knowledge of whom is eternal Ufe, and apart from whom the labor of the day is vain; Assist our morning prayers, and give us minds that understand Thy will for us, revealed in Jesus Christ. ^ Help us now to carry the spirit of the Lord's Day into the business of the week, that we may hve as in Thy presence, may work as we have prayed, and in our daily occupations may praise Thee. Let no worldly or selfish desires take hold of our hearts, but teach us how to use this world as not abus- ing it, and in all our goings to bear about with us the candle of the Lord. Support us in any difficulty or temptation, and help us to be faithful to those tasks and duties that seem small and commonplace, that we may be accounted worthy of a larger trust. ^ Lord, send Thy blessing upon this household; hold every member of this family fast in Thine ennobling love. And in the Name of Him of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, we pray for all mankind; alike those who serve Thee, that they may have strength and courage, and those who foiget Thee, that they may be awakened. In all the business relations of men let social justice be done and hmnan brotherhood prevail over selfish lusts. To that end estabHsh first Thy kingdom in our own hearts, that we may become fights set in this world and heralds also of Christ's coming: in whose Name we pray. qOUR FATHER 26 First Week MONDAY EVENING ^ O God, whose love abideth and whose blessings never fail; It is a good thing to show forth Thy loving-kindness in the morning and Thy faithfulness every night. ^ We worship Thee who art alone in Thy perfection, but who hast made all things beautiful in their season. Clothe our hearts also with the beauty of holiness. How precious, O God, are Thy thoughts unto us, and Thy favor is more than life. Hide not Thy face from us by reason of our sins, but grant us more fully to know Thee in Christ Jesus, our Lord. In every decision of life, help our minds to choose His mastery and our feet to love His ways. In every hour of temptation may His presence inspire us and His strength support us. In every ambition may His law direct us and His kingdom become our goal : until this life's day is over and the shadows fall. Then grant, O Lord, Thy comfort and Thy guidance through the valley of the night : for Jesus' sake. ^ We pray Thee to remember all who share life's day and whose faces are pointed toward the evening. Spirit of God, who broodest over the sins of the world, let men hear Thee calling to repentance. And as the world passes into the Hght of a new day, even so awaken human hearts to love Thee and to forsake the darkness of sin. Lord, let our prayers rise before Thee as a memorial of that redemption which Thou hast purchased for all the world in Jesus Christ. ^OUR FATHER 37 TUESDAY MORNING First Week ^ God the Father everlasting, whose throne is in the heavens, but who art not far from any of Thy children; Graciously receive our thanksgivings, and hear us while we pray. ^ For life and strength, for the light of a new day, for the comfort and shelter of this home, and for the love that binds us to one another and to Thee, we give Thee thanks, O Lord. Strengthen and guard us by Thy grace, we beseech Thee, that we spend this day wholly in Thy service. Cause us to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in Thee do we trust. Make us to know the way wherein we should walk, for we lift up our souls unto Thee. ^ We commend to Thee our neighbors and associates ; all who are tried or sorrowful, and those living without Thee in the world. Purify and enrich Thy Church, and extend Thy compassion to all mankind. Encourage those who work and pray for righteousness and peace through all the world, and those who carry Thy light to the people who sit in darkness. Give power to Thy spoken word, and make the cross of Jesus to shine before men's eyes. Grant unto Thy Son to see of the travail of His soul and to be satisfied; and give to all His people wilhngness to share in His labors, that they may share also His victory; even Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whose Name we pray, for whose coming we look, and whose sover- eignty we own. flOIIR FATHER 2S First Week TUESDAY EVENING ^ God, the Fountain of life and the Sun of our souls; En- lighten our minds and direct our hearts, that in our desires we may conform to Thy holy will, and in our prayers may seek those things Thou lovest to bestow. ^ Pardon, we beseech Thee, the sins and follies we have com- mitted this day: the half-heartedness of our service, the sel- fishness of our hearts, the thoughtlessness of our words and actions. Let it be so with us, O God, no longer. Awaken within us a hatred of sin, a hunger for righteousness, a love to Thee, above all the desires of the world; that in simplicity and godly sincerity, by Thy grace, we may lead our daily life in the world. ^ O Thou who slumber est not nor sleepest, watch over all within this house, and all who are dear to us, through the hours of the night. Look down with compassion upon the whole brotherhood of men. Promote their peace, their Hb- erty, their welfare in all things temporal and eternal. Visit the poor, the sick, the heavy-laden, and the dying with Thy help; equip us also to minister to them in Thy Name. Awaken the spirit of love in men's hearts, so that class shall not array itself against class, but all men shall be united in upbuilding Thy kingdom of justice and righteousness: for Jesus' sake. qOUR FATHER WEDNESDAY MORNING First Week ^ Bow down Thine ear and hear us, for we are poor and needy. But Thou, O Lord, art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all those that call upon Thee. ^ O God, who hast appointed unto every man his work, and now art calling us to the occupations and duties of another day; Help us to perform our tasks diligently and to guide our affairs prudently. And may it please Thee to encourage our undertakings with Thy favor, granting us such success as seemeth best to Thee. Help us to walk uprightly and to Hve peaceably. Make us kindly affectioned one toward an- other, ready to minister to those in trouble and to do good to all men as we have opportunity. Suffer us not to be over- burdened with this world's cares, or ensnared by its pleasures, or led astray by its fashions and examples: while we confess ourselves strangers and pilgrims on the earth, desiring a better country, that is, a heavenly. ^ Father of mercies, receive our intercessions for all sorts and conditions of men. Keep the little children from the evil of the world; preserve our homes in honor and happiness; make our neighborhood and country a part of Thy kingdom; that Thy kingdom may come by the common ways of life. Let all the people praise Thee, and Thy love bind them into one; through Jesus Christ our Lord. flOUR FATHER 30 First Week WEDNESDAY EVENING ^ Be patient with us, O God, as the day darkens, and suffer not our hearts to fail beneath the shadow of our sins and the remembrance of our offenses. For with Thee there is for- giveness, and Thy right hand is strong to uphold all them that put their trust in Thee. ^ Thine, O Lord, is the praise, who hast made us in Thine own image and redeemed us by Thy Son. Help us to open our hearts to the Saviour of the world, and to receive the Spirit whom He has sent. Guided by Him, may we be led into all truth, strengthened in all temptation, and filled with love to Thee and to all whom Thou hast placed together in family re- lationships. Let Thy love reign in this household, and hallow all its duties and comforts. Let Thy kingdom be planted in every heart and blossom in every life. ^ Also we bless Thee for a gospel to all the world, and pray for those who carry the cross of Christ to the world's end. Let Thy gospel, O God, have a fuller hearing in men's hearts and a better witness in men's lives. Kindle the beacon light of Thy Church upon Thy holy hill, and rouse men's hearts to serve Thee. Hasten the better day when all shall dwell together in love and brotherhood, and not in mistrust or hate, and when the knowledge of Thee shall fill the earth with peace. To Thy fatherly care we commend those dear unto us, and under Thy protecting wing we lay us down to sleep, in Jesus Christ, our Lord. ^OUR FATHER 31 THURSDAY MORNING First Week ^ O God, our Creator and Preserver, who hast refreshed our bodies by the slumbers of the night; Restore our souls also by Thy ministries of grace, and equip us for new service in this new day. ^ We confess to Thee the weakness of our resolutions, the wavering of our wills, the inconstancy of our love. And we pray Thee to pardon our unsteadfastness, and help us to see the right clearly and to follow it more consistently. And now that Thou callest us to go forth to our work until the evening, grant us in all our occupations the aid of Thy strength and^the guidance of Thy wisdom. Teach us in all our ways to acknowledge Thee, and to do all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus. ^ Hear us, O God, while we plead for all whom we should remember at Thy throne of grace: all who have done us good or wished us evil; all for whom we have some responsi- bility; all who have their own burden of sorrow or care. Lead the eager and the weary alike to Christ's cross and Christ's love. Hasten the coming of Thy kingdom in govern- ment and industry and life, till the gospel of love shall make the world anew. And in that coming make us to be the fore- runners and ministers of Thy Christ. And to Thy Name shall be the praise. ^OUR FATHER 32 First Week THURSDAY EVENING ^ Draw unto Thyself, God, our thoughts and desires; and grant us the aid of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may ask such things as shall please Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. fl We thank Thee for the help and countenance Thou hast given us throughout the past day in our several occupations, and that at evening we are still with Thee. Grant us, we beseech Thee, such quiet rest as shall enable us to go forth to-morrow with new strength for a new day. Pardon, O God, wherein we have offended against Thee by an ; undue concern for the cares and pleasures of life. Forgive the hearts that have suffered the thoughts of earth to rob Thee of their homage and love. Teach us to esteem Thy loving- kindness as better than life, Thy law as more precious than gold. Amidst all the hopes and fears of the world, take not Thy Holy Spirit from us; but grant that our thoughts may be fixed on Thee, and that finally we may obtain everlasting happiness; for Christ's sake. ^ Hear us, O God, while we plead not only for ourselves, but for all men; that Thou wilt bring them into brotherhood, make wars to cease, beat down the forces of evil, and uproot selfishness and injustice. Persuade men to righteousness in all the concerns of this life, and inspire them with the vision of the life to come; that the hope of that better country may purify their hearts. Lord, hear us, and save us all, for Thy great mercy's sake. ^OUR FATHER 33 FRIDAY MORNING First Week ^ Lord, without whose aid we can do nothing aright; Help us to understand Thy will for us revealed in Jesus Christ; and assist us in our morning prayers. ^ Upon Thee, who knowest what things we have need of before we ask, and art able to do for us above all that we ask or think, we cast our hopes and fears, our ambitions and our necessities, and we plead the promise of Thy fatherly love. Grant us in all our duties Thy help, in all our temptations Thy protection, in all our sorrows Thy peace. And whatso- ever it may please Thee to give or to withhold, teach us to be content and to rest with unshaken trust on Thine assurance that all things work together for good to them that love Thee, and are called of Thy high purpose through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ And now we pray for our relatives, friends, and associates, that Thou wilt help us to be a blessing unto them; for the poor, the troubled, and the sick, that Thou wilt help us to succor and to comfort them; for this community, our country, and all the nations of the earth. Let Thy king- dom come with power in the world Thou hast redeemed; and unto each of us whom Thou hast called to serve Thee give courage and patience, and lend us the strength of Thy right hand. Grant that no evil shall come through our negli- gence, and that we lose no opportunity of doing good: for Christ's sake. q OUR FATHER 34 First Week FRIDAY EVENING ^ Be present, O Lord, at our evening prayers, and protect us day and night. Keep us watchful for the coming of Thy Son, and grant that in all the changes of this mortal life, we may rest in Thee, the Same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. ^ And because Thou hast revealed the light of Thy gospel and called us unto the fellowship of Thy Son, grant that we may put away the works of darkness, and walk before Thee in purity and uprightness. We pray Thee to Uft up our hearts to that light no man may approach unto, and to re- veal Thy presence which no man hath seen, that the darkness may be light about us and Thy presence may bring comfort to our souls. Dispose us to love Thee who hast first loved us, and to manifest our love by keeping Thy commandments. Warm our hearts with the sympathy of Christ, and help us to follow after the things that make for peace in the house- hold, to speak only the words of love, and to minister to the needs of others: for His sake. ^ Lord, make this home a candle of the Lord in the darkness of the world. Let Thy light illumine all human hearts and homes; Thy love become the bond of all human loves. Make our homes the nurseries of noble youth, and protect the sacred ties of the family. Let Thy righteousness reveal itself in a world where all men shall love one another; in Christ's Name. f OUR FATHER 36 SATURDAY MORNING First Week ^ Direct us, O Lord, in our supplications ; that though of ourselves we know not how to pray, we may ask and receive those things that are best for us, according to the fulness of Thy promise in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^ We would not set our hearts on earthly riches or the re- wards men give, but would become seekers after righteous- ness. If prosperity comes, grant that it do not spoil us. If our daily bread be hardly won, sweeten our labors with Thy fellowship. Plant in our hearts Thy peace, and spare our home from every evil influence. We thank Thee for its shelter and for the ties that bind us as a family, and ask Thy help in fulfilling our duties to each other and to the world. We would take all our blessings as from Thy hand, and we ask Thee to teach us to do even the little things as in Thy Name. ^ Lord, bless all the homes in this place: hallow them and make them happy in Thy love. We pray for the little chil- dren, the young men and maidens, the heads of every house- hold, and those upon whom old age has come. We pray for the laborers in their daily toil, the farmer and the man of business, the women who bear the burdens of the home. We pray for the physician of the body and the pastor of the soul; for town and country, for commonwealth and Church. Lord, have them all in Thy holy keeping, and draw all hearts to the cross of Christ. qOUR FATHER 36 First Week SATURDAY EVENING fl Almighty God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee; Comfort us with a sense of Thy presence, that we be not beaten down by the knowledge of our infirmity; but may lay hold of Thine exceeding great and precious promises which are in Christ Jesus. ^ And now, at the close of another week, help us to look back with gratitude on the way by which Thou hast led us. For the preservation of our lives and the supply of our daily wants ; for the shelter and love of this home ; for the strength and ability to work at our several tasks; and, most of all, for Thine unwearied patience with our fooUshness and oft- repeated sins; we praise Thy Name and bless Thy love. And as Thou hast promised us grace, renew us, God, in holiness after Thine own image, and grant us help toward thinking purely and living unselfishly all the days that are to come. ^ Prepare, Lord, this household and these hearts for Thy day of rest; that alike the ambitions and the cares of this world may slip away from us, and nothing disturb or dis- tract us while we wait on Thee. Especially we pray for Thy ministers and teachers, and the churches and schools which shall meet together in Thy Name. Let it not be in vain that by so many mouths Thy word is spoken; grant rather that it return to Thee with the gratitude of the hearts whom Thou hast loved: through Jesus Christ our Lord. q OUR FATHER 37 SUNDAY MORNING Second Week ^ God of all grace, who redeemest our lives from destruction and crownest us with loving-kindness and tender mercies; We bless Thee for Thy continued goodness to us. Especially we praise Thee for this hallowed day and all the privileges which it brings. ^ We bless Thee that Thou hast given us a revelation of Thy will, and hast made known to us the way of salvation. Give us grace to receive Thy word with reverence and humiU ity. Illuminate our minds, we beseech Thee, by Thy Spirit in the true understanding of Holy Scripture. Impress upon our hearts its saving truths, and make us to be doers of the word and not hearers only, that we may walk in Thy light, and glorify Thy Name in our daily life. ^ Bless the teaching and the preaching of Thy word this day. May sinners find in it a means of salvation, and may it be to all Thy children daily provision on their way to eternal life. We invoke Thy blessing upon our absent loved ones. Make our prayers ministering angels, so that their hearts may even now be quickened with Thy love and ours. Keep them in the shadow of Thy protecting power. Grant that they and ourselves may have this day the joy of fellowship with Thee. Enable Thy children so to serve Thee that Thy Church on earth will be built up, and that all who have named Thy Name may be strengthened for the duties of the week which is to come. Grant these favors with the forgiveness of our sins, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. q OUR FATHER . . . 38 Second Week SUNDAY EVENING ^ As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so pant our souls after Thee, O God. Our souls long, yea, even thirst, for the living God. ^ In the hush of this Sunday evening, we kneel for Thy bene- diction. Thine, O Lord, has been the day, and Thine is the night. As we began this morning by asking for Thy guid- ance, so we conclude with a prayer for Thy blessing. What we have done, we have done for Thee. Grant that the word spoken may not return unto Thee void, but that it may ac- complish that whereunto it was sent. May the seed which has been sown fall into good ground, and may it spring up and bring forth much fruit to Thy glory. Bless all efforts that have been made this day for the advancement of Thy kingdom, and hasten the coming of that glorious day when every knee shall bow to the kingship of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ We thank Thee for our friends and loved ones, who share with us love of Thee and joy in Thy service. May our earthly ties be closer and more precious because of Thy love, and may we feel at the close of each day that we are drawing nearer to that abiding city where we shall dwell with Thee. As Thou hast been our pillar of cloud by day, so be Thou our pillar of fire by night. Cover our sins with Thy mercy, as Thou dost cover the earth with the darkness of night, and we will as- cribe unto Thee glory and honor, dominion and power, both now and evermore. 9 OUR FATHER . . . 39 MONDAY MORNING Second Week ^ O God, our Father, who hast formed us in Thine own image, and breathed into our nostrils the breath of Thine own Spirit; Grant that in true communion with Thee we may find peace and rest. ^ Out of Thine infinite goodness Thou hast called us to Thy service, to be co-workersiwith Thee; and now, as we begin this day and week of labor, we pray that Thy Spirit may be with us, and that everything we do may be done heartily as unto the Lord. In all the activities of the day, God, give us to know that we are serving Thee, and in that thought may we go with heads erect, with sprightly steps, and with songs on our lips and in our hearts. ^ Bless those with whom to-day we shall be associated. Grant that they may take knowledge'of us that we are walking with Christ, and that He strengthens us when we are faint- hearted and sustains us when we are weak. Bless the work of field and shop, of bank and mart of trade; sanctify the labors of those who give personal service in any of life's rela- tions; especially of those who serve Thee in the home. In the discharge of all duties may Thy children realize that they are called by Thee to serve. Above all, keep us from dis- honoring Thee by word or thought, by any sin, secret or open. Now let Thy fatherly goodness attend us for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. qOUR FATHER 40 Second Week MONDAY EVENING ^ O Thou, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning, with whom a thousand years are but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch in the night; We bow before Thee in acknowledgment of Thy great power and Thine infi- nite loving-kindness. ^ At the close of this day of activity, we ask that Thy bless- ing may rest upon every duty which we have discharged. Though we may have been Thine unprofitable servants, we pray that Thou wilt bless our efforts to Thine own glory. We Kft our hearts in thanksgiving for the privileges and mercies which we have to-day enjoyed. Thou hast guarded us from dangers of which we have known, and from others of which we have not known. Thou hast filled our lives with blessings, both temporal and spiritual. Surely the lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places, and for Thy bountiful goodness we render the homage of thankful hearts. ^ Bless the members of our family circle, both present and absent. Though absent from one another, may we not be absent from Thee. Day by day may Thy children so live and serve Thee that they will be built up on the most holy faith, and approach to that perfection which Thou hast set before them in the fife and example of Jesus Christ. O Thou, who slumberest not nor sleepest, guard us during the silent watches of this night, and grant that we may be re- freshed by quiet sleep and arise to a new day of service for Thee. qOJJR FATHER . . . 41 TUESDAY MORNING Second Week ^ O Lord God, Thou hast made us a httle lower than the angels, and hast crowned us with honor and glory. We re- joice that we are sons of the Most High, and that, as Thy sons, we are heirs of a blessed immortality. ^ Our prayer this day is that we may live worthy of our son- ship. Save us from worldly ambitions and love of place and power. Suffer us not to set our affections on the riches of this world, but fix our hearts on that treasure where moth and rust do not corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Let us not forget that where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. May our one longing be to do the things which Thou wouldst have us do, and to be the men and women whom thou wouldst have us be. May we seek prayerfully to know Thy will and to live in accordance with its revelations. ^ Sweeten the sorrows of life which many of Thy children must taste. Strengthen those who bear heavy burdens. Help them to accept Thy ministrations as from an all-wise and an all-loving Father, who doeth what is for their eternal good, and grant that afflictions may only bring them all nearer to Thee. Thou hast led us in the paths of righteous- ness for Thy Name's sake; Thy rod and Thy staff they com- fort us; surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. fOUR FATHER 42 Second Week TUESDAY EVENING ^ God of all grace, whose love has redeemed us; We bow in Thy presence, asking that we may have more love for Thee. Grant that we love Thee, our Father, because Thou hast first loved us, and that we may in some poor measure requite Thee for thy love. God give us that greatest of gifts, a love which never faileth. ^ O Thou Fount of love unceasing, so fill us with Thyself that we can love that which without Thy Spirit would appear unlovely, and may Thy love prompt us to a life of service of our fellow men. Bless the efforts which we have put forth this day to serve Thee. Forgive us in what we have come short of Thy will. Encourage us if in any measure we have succeeded; admonish us by our failures and grant that each day we may be strengthened for the trials and conflicts which are to come. ^ We pray for Thy blessing on those who out of love have gone as ambassadors to those who know Thee not. Bless and strengthen the missionaries of the cross at home and abroad. Fill them with holy zeal and give their labors great efficacy in extending Thy truth, until it shall cover the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. Grant us rest and peace in loving and serving Thee, and in Thy love may we live the life of the righteous, that our end also may be like his. q OUR FATHER 48 WEDNESDAY MORNING Second Week CJ O Lord our God, who givest liberally and upbraidest not; Grant us a large measure of that wisdom which cometh down from above. ^ Give to each of us abundantly of Thy heavenly gifts. May we grow daily in the knowledge of Thee and in sympathy with Thy truth. We invoke now Thy protection and favor throughout the day on which we have entered. Shield us from dangers, both seen and unseen. Keep back Thy serv- ants from the sins that would stain our own lives and dis- honor Thee. Lord, Thou knowest what is best for each of us, and we commit ourselves and our interests into Thy keep- ing. ^ We pray that Thy children may make a right use of Thy gifts. Keep them from an immoderate care for temporal things. May they always remember that they brought nothing into this world, and that they can take nothing out. Let not the hearts of men be fixed on worldly pleasures. Teach them to accept earthly joys or blessings in such a spirit as will lead them to a larger desire for those heavenly riches which are like gold tried in a refiner's fire. We pray that we all may be strengthened the better to live the life of Christ in the world. Send now Thy good angels to encamp round about us and to deliver us, so that we may this day prove good soldiers of Jesus Christ. In His own dear Name we ask these things. f OUR FATHER 44 Second Week WEDNESDAY EVENING ^ O God, when we consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou visitest him! ^ As Thou hast defended us from the arrow that flieth by day, so shield us from the pestilence that walketh at nightfall. We thank Thee that Thou hast gone with us when we walked in the way, and that we have felt our hearts burn within us when Thou hast talked with us. Forgive our failures to recognize Thee, and reveal Thyself to us with increasing power. Give now a new joy from spiritual com- munion with Thee. ^ Thou makest Thy sun to rise on the just and the unjust, and sendest rain and fruitful seasons. All that men have and are they owe to Thee. Thou pourest out on the sons of men blessings in rich abundance. Thou hast given the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule the night, but day and night are alike to Thee. Thou art the Same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. As Thou hast been by our side in the heat and dust of the way; so abide with us now in the quiet hours at home, and then we shall have that peace which passeth all understanding. Grant this, our Father, with the forgiveness of all our sins, for Jesus Christ's sake. f OUR FATHER 45 THURSDAY MORNING Second Week ^ O Thou who art our Creator and Preserver, to Thee and Thee only can we turn for grace and strength to stand in the evil day. ^ Thou hast placed us in a world where sin abounds, and we pray Thee, O God, to keep us from the evil of the world. We are beset by temptations, and we pray Thee to draw our hearts unto Thyself, and to keep them true to Thy Divine goodness. Thou hast given us a mission in the world, and we pray that by Thy might we may become good soldiers of Jesus Christ; that putting on this day the whole armor of God, and having done all, we may stand: that we may ac- cept as the sword of the Spirit the word of God, and speak boldly as we ought to speak. ^ And now we bring before Thee the whole company of man- kind, and ask Thy blessing upon them. Especially we pray for human homes: for children, that they may be obedient to their parents; for parents, that they may rear their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; for servants, that they may be faithful to those who are their masters; for masters, that they may forbear threatening. Teach all men to remember that there is a Master in heaven who is no respecter of persons, with whom there is neither high nor low. Strengthen us to do our duty to those with whom we are associated. May we so serve as to please Thee, and come at last to the joy of Thy heavenly kingdom, through Thy mercy in Jesus Christ. q OUR FATHER . . . 46 Second Week THURSDAY EVENING § O Thou Brightness of eternal glory, the darkness hideth not from Thee. Thy presence fills the universe. Thou art with us as we kneel before Thee. Thy Spirit comes into our hearts as we claim Thy promises. ^ We pray to-night for the faith to lay hold on Thee. May we think of heavenly things. We know, our Father, that our thoughts are as fountains from which flow the streams of our hves, and we pray for new riches of Thy grace to keep these fountains pure. DeHver us from the subtile evil thought; save us from the seductive temptations that do so beset us. We bring the labor of this day to Thine altar, and ask Thee to accept the thoughts of our minds and the labor of our hands. Wilt Thou forgive the blemishes that mar our offering, and cleanse it from the stain of our sin, so that all we have done in Thy fear may redound to Thy glory. ^ Forgive all Thy children who have forgotten Thee and have yielded to their own weakness. Grant to all who have named Thy Name a larger measure of submission to Thee, and teach them from their very failures how helpless they are, except when they rest in Thee. Bless and strengthen all who have to-day served Thee in every walk of life, and may their labors contribute to the upbuilding of Thy earthly kingdom. Grant us these favors with the forgiveness of our sins, accord- ing to the multitude of Thy mercies in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. ^OUR FATHER • • 47 FRIDAY MORNING Secwid Week ^Adorable and all- wise Jehovah, who knowest our frame; As a father pitieth his children, so dost Thou look with com- passion upon us. We have Thy word that not a sparrow falleth to the ground without Thy notice, and that we are of more value in Thy sight than many sparrows. We know. Lord, that Thou who art greatest, dost take knowledge of us who are of the least. ^ We pray Thee to prepare us for the duties of this day. We do not know the trials, the temptations and the dangers that lie in our paths, nor do we ask to know. But we beseech Thee to go with us as a shield and protector, as guide and com- forter, as friend and helper. And we know that if Thou art with us, all will be well. We pray Thee to make us quick to learn of Thee both in Thy works and in Thy word. Teach us our duties to Thee and to one another, and give us the will and the strength to discharge them. Make us thankful for Thy mercies, penitent for our offenses, humble under Thy corrections, and faithful in Thy service. Grant us true faith, steadfast hope, abiding charity. ^ Gracious Father in heaven, all creatures wait on Thee, and thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Grant Thy children grateful hearts for all Thou hast given them; and may they accept Thy gifts as stewards who must render ac- count to their lord. Make us kind and merciful to all Thy creatures. Grant us all other needed spiritual blessings, and save us in heaven. Thy dwelHng-place, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. qOUR FATHER . . . 48 Second Week FRIDAY EVENING ^ Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or Thou hadst formed the earth, even from everlasting to everlasting. Thou art God. % Thou wast. Thou art. Thou art to be, the One altogether lovely. While Thou dost fill the earth with Thy glory, Thou dost still dwell in the human heart. We thank Thee for the many evidences of Thy love toward us, and above all for the life of Thy Son on earth, and for His death upon the cross, which has opened a new and a living way to the Father. Day by day give us larger visions of Thy love ; and as Thou hast done so much for us, may we accept Thee and Thy sacrifice, and strive to serve Thee with greater fidelity. Of ourselves, we have neither worth nor worthiness; we come pleading Thy mercy. Give us anew the sense of Thy forgiveness and of communion with Thee. ^ We pray for Thy blessing on all schools and colleges. Make teachers everywhere more worthy to represent Thee by both precept and example. Grant that the youth may be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and may rise to the stature of more perfect manhood and womanhood in Christ. Grant quiet rest this night, that we may be the better fitted for the day to follow. Hear us and bless us for our Redeemer's sake. ^OUR FATHER 49 SATURDAY MORNING Second Week ^ Lord, Thou only hast the words of eternal life; and we come with open hearts, saying: "Speak, Lord, for Thy servants hear/' Give us hearing ears and understanding hearts, that we may learn more of Thee and Thy plan for our hves. ^Forgive the failures which are behind, and may we press forward with new confidence to what lies before, even to the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. We confess our failures and weaknesses, but Thou, O God, hast promised to forgive those who are truly penitent, and to give needed strength to those who put their trust in Thee. In deep humility we pray for Thy forgiveness; in weakness we come to Thee for help. ^ We pray for Thy children everywhere. Comfort those who are in sorrow; support those who carry heavy burdens; strengthen with Thy strength any who are this day to be sub- jected to special temptation; give patience to the sick; bless those who, in a ministry of love, care for the sick or the aged or young children. Bless any who may have asked us to pray for them, or any for whom we ought especially to pray. God, the Father of all, bless our goings-out and our comings- in, that all may be done in Thy fear and to Thy glory. May Thy truth be spread abroad on the earth, and may all men come to a saving knowledge of Thee. May we who have been bought with a price come this day to a more complete sur- render to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 50 Second Week SATURDAY EVENING ^ O Lord, our God, we bow before Thee in faith, beheving that Thou wilt send into our hearts answers of peace. The labor of the week is at an end. When Thou didst complete all the work of creation, Thou didst rest from Thy labors, and we pray that we may imitate Thy Divine example. ^ Now that our week's service is done, take Thou our poor efforts, and bless them according to Thine own plan. Grant that we may be freed from all worldly cares and concerns. Refresh our lives that we may be made more fruitful to the glory of Thy holy Name. Deliver us from anything that would hinder our spiritual welfare. Say Thou to the troubled sea of our spirits, ''Be still, " and may there come to each one that calm which follows the stilling of the storm. Give us quiet hope and perfect trust in Thee, and grant that we may have such rest and refreshment as will prepare us for entrance into a Sabbath, which will be a foretaste of that endless Sabbath into which we pray that we may at last enter. - ^ Lord, as Thou didst ordain the day for labor and the night for rest, grant that all Thy children may enjoy such rest as will prepare them for another week of joyous and useful service. Grant that week by week those who serve Thee may grow into Thy likeness, and that they may rise to higher and yet higher planes of Christian experience. Forgive us that we have been such unprofitable servants, and accept of us out of Thine abundant mercy, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. ^OUR FATHER . . . 51 SUNDAY MORNING Third Week ^ Glory be unto Thee, our Father, Giver of hfe and of the morning hght, who hast brought us again to the worship and service of this holy day. We lift up our hearts unto Thee, and thankfully acknowledge Thy power over us and Thy right to us. ^ O God, who on this first of days didst begin the creation of all that our eyes behold ; We reverently adore Thee in all the beauty and law and marvel of the world. And, as on this day Thou didst finish the work of the redemption of the world through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit didst come in fulness of life upon Thy Church, help us to sanctify this day in our hearts, and dedi- cate ourselves to Thee as alive from the dead. Cleanse us from all sin, O God, and help us to walk with Thee in right- eousness and truth. We would make this a day of victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil, through the might of our blessed Lord. We would make it a day of peace and joy through faith in His abiding presence. We would make it a day of service for His kingdom, full of words of love and deeds of mercy; knowing that our most perfect rest is like that above. ^ Go with us, we pray Thee, into Thy holy house. Reveal Thyself unto all Thy people, who shall meet together to pay their vows unto Thee. Give us grace to receive Thy word with reverence, humihty, and faith; that we may increase in knowledge and love and in obedience to Thy holy will. Let Christ be magnified, and sinners be converted unto Thee. Teach the children the way of life, and preserve them from the evil of the world. And to Thy Name will be the praise. qOUR FATHER . . . 32 Third Week SUNDAY EVENING ^ Gracious Father, we gather before Thy throne to praise Thee for all our privileges and possessions in Christ Jesus. We are grateful unto Thee for home and earthly love, for food and raiment and friends. And now may the calm of the evening hour steal upon our hearts. In the midst of the dark- ness of the night give us the brightness of an inexpressible joy in Christ. ^ Thou, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; Pardon all the wandering thoughts, the unworthy words, and the misspent moments of this day. Give us to desire and seek after those things that are high and holy, noble, true, and good. Grant us, the longer we hve, to grow more holy and heavenly, that the love of the world may be rooted out of us and the love of Christ may be implanted in our souls. May the influence of this day's worship go with us through the days to come. Keep us from forgetting the sins we have confessed, the blessings we have enjoyed, and the resolutions we have made. And show us how to apply the principles of the risen Life in Christ to the daily duty for Christ. ^ Give power to the word preached to-day. Awaken the careless, the ungodly, the self-righteous, and the insincere. Fill our pastor with the power and wisdom and love of Thy Spirit, and encourage all the faithful workers of the Church in this place, and in all the world. Keep us this night in Thy love. May our very thoughts be in accordance with Thy will. Bring us in mercy to the light of a new day, and shine in our hearts with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. q OUR FATHER ... 53 MONDAY MORNING Third Week ^ Heavenly Father, Giver of all good and Fountain of all mercies; All glory, thanks and praise be unto Thee for Thine unfailing goodness; for Thy faithfulness, which is from one generation to another; for Thy mercies, which are new every morning and fresh every evening. We greet the light of this day with joy, and praise Thee for hfe and labor. ^ We bow down before Thee, and implore Thy gracious help, for Jesus' sake. We know not what this day may bring forth, and therefore we would enter upon it humble in our- selves, but confident in Thee. Prepare us for all that Thou hast prepared for us, and guard us in word and deed. Purify us in motive and judgment. Keep us in the fear of God and in the love of man. Keep us as in Thy sight from unclean thoughts and unlawful designs. Make us conscientious in our work, and unselfish in heart. Help us by Christ's power to show forth the simple virtues of reasonableness, patience, and self-control, of courtesy, helpfulness, and justice. ^ Keep all the members of this household from falUng into sin through our peculiar faults or infirmities. Defend us and all Thy people from the special trials and temptations of our callings; and, as the needful work of life is apt to steal away our hearts, give us grace, most of all, ever to remember the near presence of our living Lord. May we carry with us through the day the memory of our united prayer and the helping sense of our mutual love. We ask all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 54 Third Week MONDAY EVENING ^ Almighty and ever-blessed God, we render Thee our fer- vent thanksgiving for Thy watchful providence, which has been over us this day; for Thy gifts of food and raiment and shelter and friends; for deliverance from temptations and dangers, known and unknown; and for the grace of heart that brings us to our knees at this hour. ^ Look upon us in mercy, and pardon our offenses, for we plead the merit and mediation of our great Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Constrain us to put away all sin for His sake, and give us the power of the Holy Spirit that we may not fall through carelessness or carnality, through ignorance or self- will. Keep us from the torment of doubts and fears. Save us from the poison of worldliness and the dark cloud of dis- couragement. ^ O God, in the midst of the wickedness and sorrow and strife of the world, we look to Thee as the source of infinite love and wisdom, of power and righteousness. Order all things for the salvation of Thine elect, and the prosperity of Thy Church. Send forth laborers into the harvest. Give the heathen the knowledge of the gospel, and turn the rulers and judges of the earth to serve Christ. Fill our land with pure religion. Give us good men to rule over us. Save and teach those who instruct the children in our schools and those who guide public opinion by voice or pen. May the fruits of the nation's industry be used for the good of mankind. And now, Good Shepherd, we commit ourselves to Thee, and pray that all who are united to us in the flesh may with us be united to Thee, and kept and guided until at last we come to Thy house in everlasting peace : for Christ's sake. q OUR FATHER . . . 55 TUESDAY MORNING Third Week ^ Heavenly Father, upon whose care we daily depend; We would open our hearts to Thy Holy Spirit in this morning hour. We wait upon Thee with reverent love and obedience. Help us now deeply to realize that Thou art here, and that Thou seest us as we are, and hearest us always. We would not be heard for our much speaking. We rejoice in the con- fidence that Thou knowest what things we have need of be- fore we ask Thee. We would hear Thy voice in the believ- ing silence of our hearts. Speak, Lord, for Thy servants hear. Keep us ever mindful of Thy holiness, O Father, that while we truly love Thee and gratefully praise Thee as Thy true children, we may not too freely presume upon Thy won- derful and condescending love. ^ Father, who hast numbered the hairs of our heads, and seest the fall of a sparrow; Keep us in life and health, if it be Thy will, that we may serve Thee. And in all the mysteries that confront us and the surprises that await us, comfort and keep our hearts in the blessed assurance of Thy near presence and unchanging love. Help us to commit our way unto Thee, that thou mayst bring to pass what is good in all our plans. Order our steps in Thy word. Keep Thou our feet; yea, keep Thou our eyes and our tongues. ^ And as we rest our own hearts upon the thought of Thy presence and Thy love, even so we commit to Thy fatherly hand all the lives we love and all the interests of mankind. And we pray that all who need Thee may turn to seek Thee, and that all who seek may find the open way : through Jesus Christ our Lord. q OUR FATHER . . . 56 Third Week TUESDAY EVENING ^ God, our Father, Thy love to us is perfect. Thou dost never weary of our coming to Thee, nor think any of our wants too small for Thy regard. Thy hand is ever open to satisfy us, and Thine eye is ever upon us to keep and guide us. It is a comfort to tell our needs to Thee. We come to Thee as Thy children. We come to yield our wills to Thee, who hast shown us the greatness and blessedness of all Thy holy purpose for us in Jesus Christ. We come to open our hearts to the fuller entrance of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may be cleansed and refreshed and uplifted. We come to hear Thy voice in Thy word, as the sheep hear the voice of the shep- herd and follow him. ^ Blessed Spirit of love, give us the peace of God, for we are weary of the fever and fret of the world. Make us glad that we are safe in the arms of Jesus. Sustain and soothe us with an unfaltering trust in Thy power and wisdom, Thy faithful- ness and mercy. We cast our burdens upon Thee, Lord, as we have been bidden to do; they are too heavy for us, and Thou dost not mean us to bear them. We bring to Thee the problems and anxieties about ourselves and our loved ones that disturb and worry us, and the duties that confront us. ^ Pour out Thy Spirit, Lord, upon all men, that the springs of human life may be ever renewed and sanctified by Thine indwelling presence; that men may have in Thee the Foun- tain of living water springing up to everlasting life. Grant this for Jesus' sake. q OUR FATHER . . . 57 WEDNESDAY MORNING Third Weelc ^ O God, of infinite love and perfect goodness, we come to Thee with thankfulness for all Thy mercies to us; for Thy gift of life and the tokens of Thy bounty, which every day renews. ^ O blessed God, our Father, help us to-day. We bring our weakness to Thee, and plead the promise of Thine enabling grace. May the assurance of Thy presence refresh us, so that we shall go about our work with joy. May Thy word of salvation be the food of our souls, giving us the life and likeness of our Lord. Send us to the duties of this day, showing forth the light of life to those about us. As Moses, going down from Mount Sinai bore on his face the light of Thy presence, and as Jesus passed from the Mount of Trans- figuration down to a needy world, give us the knowledge of Thy glory and the grace to make it known. ^ We pra}^ for all whom we shall meet to-day. We pray for our near neighbors and our special friends; that they may know Thy grace in Jesus Christ, and do Thy blessed will. And as Thou hast bound us together in Thy wonderful love as husband and wife, and father and mother, and sister and brother, do Thou bind us together in the love of Christ and in the heavenly joy and privilege of His service. Lift the light of Thy countenance at this very hour upon those we love, and give them peace: through Jesus Christ our Lord. qOUR FATHER . . . 58 Third Week WEDNESDAY EVENING ^ God, who hast given us Thy holy word to tell us of Thy laws and Thy love; Grant us ever the help of Thy Holy Spirit that we may understand Thy word and receive it into our hearts. ^ Especially we pray that Thou wilt here reveal unto us the grace and the glory of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. O Holy Spirit, whose it is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us, give us a clearer vision of our almighty Saviour. Magnify in our minds and hearts the wonder of His earthly life and death and resurrection. We lift up our hearts with heavenly joy that we know Him by Thy grace. Unite us to Him by faith that He may dwell in us in the fulness of His power. Change us, Spirit of God, into His image as we behold His glory. Give us to know Him in His life, that the same mind which was in Him may be in us. Give us to know Him in His death, that we shall live not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Make us to know Him in the power of His resurrection, that, like as He was raised from the dead into glory by the Father, we also may walk in newness of life. Make us to know Him in His ascension glory, that we may seek those things that are above. Help us to know Him as our Judge, that we may so live as to give an account to Him at last with joy. ^ Come, O Christ, with all Thy ancient power, and heal the ills of earth. Come and rule over men and nations, through Thy truth, that they may know Thy grace and keep Thy law. We ask it in Thy Name. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 59 THURSDAY MORNING Third Week ^ Lord, Thou art in Thy holy temple; who shall not keep silence before Thee! Thou art thrice holy, the Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come. We worship Thee, whose glory no thought can comprehend. ^ We have no merit in ourselves to approach into Thy pure presence, to name Thy holy Name, or to enjoy Thy favor and fellowship. Thou knowest how often we have sinned. Thou seest all the stain of pride and passion, of sloth and self-indulgence, of unbelief and impenitence, of wilfulness and wastefulness. Forgive us, and cleanse us from all our sins, through the blood of Thy Son, our Saviour. We humble ourselves before Thee, O God, and beseech Thee to fill our hearts with Thy Spirit, that we may study to serve and please Thee only, for Jesus' sake. Keep us pure in strife and patient in trial. Deliver us from vanity and idleness. Give us grace to acknowledge Thee openly in all our ways, and to adorn by word and deed the doctrine we profess. Strengthen us to bear one another's burdens and forgive one another's faults; and to live with our fellow men in unselfish thought- fulness and kindness. May our words be godly, true, and helpful, to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. ^ God bless our beloved land. Make justice and righteous- ness and brotherly kindness to increase. Save the ignorant and those who are pouring in upon our shores. Attend with power all special agencies to save the lost in our great cities; and guard Thine own in faith and life. Waken the Church to every opportunity of extending the kingdom of Christ; that she may press forward in His Name. q OUR FATHER . . . 60 Third Week THURSDAY EVENING ^ O God, our Father in heaven, again we bow to worship Thee as a family. Thou hast kept us through storm and through sunshine, and we would praise Thee with our whole heart. ^ O God, forgive us our sins. If we have sinned by unbelief and disobedience and selfishness, pardon us, and give us a better mind. Forgive us if we have sinned in a lack of prayer- fulness or an unwillingness to suffer for the good of others, by hiding our talents or wasting our time. Pardon us if we have done aught to increase the sin or grief or unbelief of any one. f We pray Thee that Thou wilt look in mercy upon this world of sin and sorrow, and for Jesus' sake speedily spread abroad the knowledge and power of Thy gospel. Give us grace so to follow after Christ that we may help to scatter the world's moral darkness and to heal its sores. Help us to think less of our own pleasure or gain, and to find our joy in serving our fellow men in Christ's Name. In His Name and by His grace, O God, we pray that Thou wouldst overcome evil with good, and in Thy great mercy use the very wrath of man to turn the world to Thy praise. We pray for the nations of the world, that the people may be saved, and the hearts and homes, the affairs of state, and all the occupations and relationships of men may be controlled by Thy law and love. May kings and rulers know Thee and serve Thee. May busi- ness and politics in our own land be purged of selfishness and be used for Thy glory. Give us a purer patriotism, freed of vain-glory and falsehood. Save us from the worship of wealth and fame, and the snare of luxury and vanity. We ask it in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. q OUR FATHER . . . 61 FRIDAY MORNING Third Week ^ Almighty and ever-living God, we praise Thee that Thou hast kept us in life, and awakened us to the light of another day. We thank Thee for rain and for sunshine in Thy wis- dom, and for heat and cold according to season. We thank Thee for Thy bounteous providence, to which we owe all that we so richly enjoy. We thank Thee for life's discipline of body and mind, for the work Thou hast allotted us, and for all the opportunities to glorify Thee in our work. ^ Our Father, grant us the mighty help of Thy Holy Spirit to-day, that we may be kept from the assaults of temptation and enabled to walk in righteousness, meekness, and love. Send us forth, not in our own weakness, but in the strength of Christ; not in fear, but in triumphant joy, by the grace of His presence. Sanctify us to the service of our God, that we be not carnally minded, but led by Thy Spirit to know and to do all Thy revealed will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ We pray Thee to overrule our friendships, that our friends may be those of Thine own choosing; and help us to be true friends to others, for Jesus' sake. Enable us to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep; and to work together with Thee to save and bless mankind, through the truth and the power of Christ. Take each member of this family, and all who are dear to us, under Thy care. Make all Thy people faithful and earnest. Save sinners, O God; let Thy salvation be known with power among men, through the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon Thy word. Hear us for Christ's sake. f OUR FATHER . . . 62 Third Week FRIDAY EVENING ^ O God, we thank Thee that Thou hast brought us together again at the close of the day. We know not how often to- day Thou hast deUvered us from perils of body or of soul; but we know that our steps are ordered by Thee, and we gratefully kneel before Thee in renewed dedication of our- selves to Thee. ^ And now we pray that Thou wilt pardon us for all the wrong we have done this day. Show us how to live a day at a time, with a new trust every day in Thine infinite power and good- ness. And with each passing day, Father, that brings us nearer to the last, help us to live more for the eternal day that is alight with Thy presence. Help us to live together here as the redeemed above, in love and purity and service. Make our home a prophecy of heaven, and the very gate to it. Help us so to honor Thee that we may claim Thy promise that Thou wilt honor us. Constrain us to make Christ our King, and to take Thy word as our law; to hold the privileges and possessions of this home as trusts, and to use them in Thy service. ^ We pray that Thy blessing may rest also on all the homes that surround us; that all parents may be given special grace and a true knowledge and likeness of Thy fatherly love, for the training of their children for Thee; that the little chil- dren may be dedicated to Thy service and nurtured in Thy truth; that our youth may be kept in purity of heart and de- fended by Thy heavenly grace from the evil of the world: through Jesus Christ our Lord. f OUR FATHER . . . 63 SATURDAY MORNING Third Week ^ All Thy works praise Thee, God : day and night show forth their knowledge of Thee. All Thy redeemed people in earth and in heaven glorify Thee : and we call upon our souls to bless Thy holy Name, who forgivest all our iniquities, and crownest us with loving-kindness and tender mercies. ^ Our Father, we come to renew our vows of faith and obedience. Direct our minds now fully to Thyself. Teach us to pray, as Jesus taught His disciples. Teach us to pray so that we shall receive the things that we desire. Keep us therefore in communion with Thyself. Show us Thy will, and help us to do it joyfully. Conscious of our need of Thee, we cast ourselves upon Thee. Recall us when we err, either through ignorance or through wilfulness. Rebuke us, if, ardent for the right, we fail in judgment or gentleness. Purge out of our hearts all that leads to sin, and make us sensitive to the call of Thy Holy Spirit. We would be used by Thee to-day for Thy glory and kingdom, and to that end we ask for grace to love Thee and to yield ourselves to Thee. Keep ever in our minds that Thy Name is named upon us, and Thine honor is involved in what we say and do. ^ Graciously guide those we love into all truth, and comfort them in Christ in every time of need. Keep our Church true to her living Head, and make her more zealous of good works. Visit our community with Thy quickening Spirit, that righteousness and goodness may prevail. We ask all in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. fl OUR FATHER . . . 64 Third Week SATURDAY EVENING ^ O Lord, most gracious Saviour, we kneel to adore and praise Thee at the close of another week. To Thee we owe all that we enjoy, and most of all that wondrous gift of salvation by which we have been brought into the love and likeness of God. We thank Thee for Thine infinite and unceasing love, for Thy bitter death on the cross for us, and for all the work of grace in us, by which we have been led to know and fear God. ^ blessed Jesus, we bow at Thy feet, and confess and la- ment all our sin against Thee. Forgive us, that we should ever do aught to offend Thee or grieve Thee who hast given Thyself for us, who art worthy of all our worship and service. Pardon all the sins of this week, Lord, and prepare us now for the holy service and triumphant gladness of to-morrow. We would approach the holy day cleansed and quieted, with reverent thought and expectant faith. Sanctify and use for Thy glory what we have done this week, seeking to further Thy kingdom. ^ Almighty God, we rejoice that Thou art upon the throne of the universe, and that grace reigns over sin and death. We pray Thee to thwart the tempter and deliver the tempted. Preserve Thy Church from false doctrine and unite all Christians in the faith and practice of the gospel. Conse- crate the wealth of Thy people to the work of Thy kingdom. Preserve the sanctity of Thy holy day. Give grace to those who guide the affairs of men, and especially those who con- trol our schools and colleges. And now, as in a quiet place with Thee, O Lord, resting from the toil and fret of our lives, we open our hearts to Thy word. We desire Thee and none other to dwell in us and rule over us. Thus shall we be Thy happy servants, safely kept and richly blessed. ^ OUR FATHER . . S "65 SUNDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ Our Father in heaven, praise waits upon our Ups for Thee this holy morning. We thank Thee that it is day again, and especially that it is our day of rest, a foretaste of that unend- ing day which remaineth for Thy people. fl O Lord, if Thou wilt enable us, we will go into Thy house to-day in the multitude of Thy mercies. Make the paths straight and plain before our feet. Bring forth out of Thy word things new and old to warn, to comfort, and to renew us, and may Thy Holy Spirit bring to our hearts such things as may be most profitable to us. Let not one of us fail of his desired and sufficient blessing this day; but grant us each according to our several need, priceless possessions as we worship Thee. Be merciful to us sinners for Jesus' sake, and give us rest from ourselves in Thee. ^ Lord of all, extend the mercies of this holy day to all who are dear to us. Remember and lift them up by Thy grace. Defend all Thy children everywhere from the perils of the world. May the gospel be powerful at home and abroad to- day, that the Name of Christ may be glorified by the new obedience of His people and the conversion of sinners. Grant us, our Father, in our home, our church, and our country, that which is good for us ; and hasten the coming of Thy kingdom, in the Name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. ^OUR FATHER 66 i Fourth Week SUNDAY EVENING ^ God of heaven and earth, we kneel before Thee in thankful- ness at this holy evening hour. We offer Thee our evening sacrifice of prayer in the Name of Him whose once offering up of Himself for the sins of the people we have remembered with unspeakable peace and joy to-day. Hear us, for His sake. ^ Our Father, we confess with shame that we have not re- ceived Thy word with meekness, nor have we been altogether willing that Thy Holy Spirit should lay it to our hearts. But we thank Thee that it is a word of unfailing grace to the humble and contrite. Forgive us, and confirm within us every blessed work which Thou hast begun. Give us now peace with Thee, and may that peace stand sentinel over our hearts and minds this coming night, for Jesus' sake. ^ O Lord, hear us as we intercede with Thee on behalf of all those for whom Christ died. May Thy seeking love find all who rebel and wander; may Thy rejoicing love comfort and sustain all whom Thy love has found. Send consolations, past all understanding, into every broken heart. Keep from discouragement and the weariness of apparent ill-success all those who have ministered by word and deed in Jesus' Name to-day. Forget not those whom we can never forget because Thou hast placed them in the same families with us; be Thou the Friend of all our friends this night and for ever. We ask it all in the one Name. q OUR FATHER 67 MONDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ Thou who slumberest not nor sleepest, we thank Thee that Thou hast awakened us out of the forgetfulness of sleep to a remembrance of Thy mercies. Now we will remember Thee, and all the goodness of Thy providing care and Thy redeeming love. We thank Thee for Thy thoughts toward us which are innumerable and very precious. ^ Lord, help us as we undertake our daily tasks. Let not our cares, our labors, or our associates, entice us from the quietness and confidence which we had in Thee on our day of rest. Teach us how to rest in Thee in the very hours of work and temptation. O Thou, who dost keep company with Thy children in every way of hfe, walk with us to-day, and strengthen us within that we may walk worthy of Thee. Enable us to keep ourselves in Thy love through every hour, and to come to the evening unspotted from the world. f Bless, we pray Thee, all those whom Thou hast called out of the world to be witnesses in the world of our Redeemer. May their witness to the power of His death and resur- rection to-day be unconfused and convincing. Make all Christians true and bold, that they may show what they have learned of Jesus. Hear us interceding, in the Name of Him who died for all, for the pardon of sinners throughout the world. Be not far from any of those nearest and dearest to us, the thoughts of whom are never far from our hearts. Unite us all in Thy kingdom, for Christ's sake. ^OUR FATHER 68 Fourth Week MONDAY EVENING ^ God of all grace, Thou didst give us a new day. At evening time Thou dost crown the day with the memories of Thy faithfulness. Surely, Lord, Thou dost keep coven- ant with Thy people, and dost multiply Thy favors to them past all finding out. ^ O Lord, what have we rendered to Thee for all Thy good- ness? We are ashamed and confused when we remember Thee; but we rejoice with trembling, for Thy pardoning mercy is unfaihng. Undo, O Lord, the evil that we have done this day, and may none of it be laid, in the minds of men, to the account of our religion. Establish Thou upon us, and upon all with whom we have had to do, whatever has been good and pleasing to Thee in the work of our hands, the speech of our hps, or the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Keep us from vain-glory, and use all that is of Thy grace in us to glorify our Lord. ^ Our Father, hear, we beseech Thee, the intercessions of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself on our behalf, and on behalf of all those who come unto Thee by Him. Grant unto all who have sought to do Thy will this day rest and satisfaction in Thee to-night. Refresh the weary; lift the burdens from the heavy-laden; give the joy of the Lord to all who have done well; comfort and encourage the failing and disheartened. Make Thyself known to all as the Giver of good gifts; and, not least of all, we commend to Thee those whom Thou hast taught us to love with an intimate love. Bless and keep them, for Jesus' sake. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 69 TUESDAY MORNING Fourth Week \ ^ O God most high, we address our morning prayer to Thee in the Name of our Great High Priest. We thank Thee for the way He opened for us through all earthly things to Thee; and, coming joyfully along that way, we do now present our praises, our supplications, and ourselves before Thee, and await Thy pardon and Thy peace. ^ O Lord, so bless us in this hour that its memories may abide with us all the day. Thou knowest what cares, what trials, what temptations, the advancing hours will bring: give us, we pray Thee, the grace to escape what we cannot endure, and to endure what we cannot escape. So confirm and establish our faith that we may have victory to-day over ourselves, and may be enabled to show before the world the righteousness, the peace, and the joy in which our Lord made us to be partakers. ^ Thou God of mercy and of grace, who hast redeemed the world through Jesus Christ; Hasten throughout the world every process by which that redemption is applied to the hearts, the societies, the institutions, and governments of men. Keep the tradition of the undying gospel pure, and keep pure the hearts of all who believe the pure gospel, that sinners may be converted, Thy kingdom and Thy righteous- ness be given the preeminence in the hearts of believers, and the Name of the King be glorified. Gather and perfect in that kingdom all those whom we most dearly love, for Jesus' sake. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 70 Fourth Week TUESDAY EVENING ^ Our heavenly Father, we bless Thee as the shadows fall on this day. We confess, with thankfulness, that goodness and mercy have followed us from morning till evening; and we pray, in humble dependence upon Thee, that goodness and mercy may follow us from evening till morning again. ^ Our Father, what goodness and mercy overtake us now as we pray to Thee in the Name of Christ! Weary and over- borne, we come to hide the failures and sins of the day with Christ in Thee. Grant us peace in His cross, O Lord. Help us to go from faith to faith in Him ; and from grace to grace in ordering our lives according to His Spirit. Make our bodies to dwell in safety and our souls in quietness as we lay ourselves down to sleep. If the hours of the night are wake- ful, teach us how to employ them in thoughts of Thee; for, awake or asleep, we are Thine, and Thou carest for us. ^ O God most merciful and most mighty, may the Spirit of our Redeemer be abroad in this dark night. May He light the candle of patience for those who walk in ways which they cannot understand. May the deeds of those who walk with Christ in the light overcome the deeds done in darkness by those who know not our Christ. Especially do we pray for the missionaries who uphold the light in the dwelling places of cruelty. May the light of Christ dawn on the souls that are lost in the night ; and may it shine more perfectly on our loved ones: for Christ's sake. ^ OUR FATHER 71 WEDNESDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ Our Father in heaven, Thy children upon earth approach Thee in this early hour. We quiet our hearts before Thy throne of infinite majesty and grace. With earnest expecta- tion we await the still, small voice which shall reassure us of Thy eternal purposes and Thy everlasting love. ^ Our Father, Thou knowest that we must rise from this place of prayer, and make our way in the world; as Thou dost visit us now, leave us not, neither in any wise forsake us during this day. Give us now that which shall keep us true to Thee in the hours when the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, shall arise against us to draw us away from Thee and from our solemn vows to be Thine. Help us throughout the day to feel Thee near us, to look to our Saviour for constant salvation, and to Thy Holy Spirit for guidance, comfort, and strength. ^ Lord, we lay before Thee the needs of the whole world, confessing that, though they are too many for us to under- stand, they are not too great for Thee to satisfy. Bring, we pray Thee, all the citizens of the world into the citizenship of heaven ; and to that end keep all the citizens of heaven sub- missive to Thy will, and true, in every trial, to the spirit and power of their citizenship. Dispense the benefits of the kingdom to all mankind, and give most especially to those whom we peculiarly love, peace and joy in believing in Thee to-day: through Jesus Christ our Lord. f OUR FATHER 72 Fourth Week WEDNESDAY EVENING ^ We thank Thee, God, that Thou art not far from any- one of us, but that heaven and earth are full of Thee. Our hearts are lost in wonder and praise when we remember the nearness of the communion which we have with Thee through Christ. ^ Our Father, Thou knowest us, how frail we are. Out of a changing, passing world, we cry unto Thee who art unchange- able. Work in us, who change and pass, that work of grace which grows from more to more. Blot out of Thy remem- brance all our unfaithfulness this day. Wherein we have not redeemed our time, do Thou redeem our time and us; and help us to learn, with meekness, how we may best employ our length of days in the work of the everlasting kingdom of Christ. May the angel of Thy presence carry us safely through this night, and all nights and days, until the day wherein we shall know Thee as Thou knowest us. ^ Thou living and true God, work a work of grace among men in our day. Disclose to those who know Thee not what a separation from Thee sin is. Reconcile the children of men to Thee through Christ. Supply the ministers of reconcilia- tion throughout the world with the Spirit of Christ, that His kingdom may come in the hearts of men, and the blessings of the kingdom be known in all of human life. May no con- dition or circumstance cause us or our dearest ones to fall from our faith in Thee, our love to Thee, or our hope in Thee; for Jesus' sake. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 73 THURSDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ Giver of all, for what a continuing stream of mercies we have to thank Thee this morning. Truly all Thy promises have been yea and amen to us in Christ. And now, at this early hour, we set our praises, our purposes, and our desires in order before Thee, that Thou.mayest breathe through them Thy righteousness and Thy peace. ^ Our Father, we believe in Thee and in Thy Son. Let not our hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Help us to go boldly out to serve Thee in our several places and rela- tionships. Make us distrustful of ourselves, but altogether trustful in Thee. Protect us every hour from ourselves and from the world, that through us the world may know what it means to have Christ for a Redeemer and a King. May we be salt and light in a corruptible and darkened world, that at home or away from home we may bring honor to Him whom we love because He first loved us. ^ O Lord, we thank Thee that, as our Saviour intercedes for us, we may intercede with Thee for all. Bring all to that knowledge of Thyself which we have in the cross of Jesus Christ. Bring them by the walk and conversation of those who confess themselves crucified with Christ; bring them by the persuasion of Thy word; bring them by every agency that owes its being to the Spirit of Christ, that depends upon Christ, that hopes against hope in Christ. And may none whom we love fail to be brought to Christ, or to be kept by Christ until the day of His triumphant kingdom: for His Name's sake. ^OUR FATHER , . . 74 Fourth Week THURSDAY EVENING ^ Almighty God, we confess that it is by the Spirit of Thy Son in our hearts that we cry, Abba, Father, to Thee. We thank Thee that we are united to Christ by faith, and that it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. Hear us, for His sake. ^ Our Father, forgive us wherein we have not lived by faith in Christ to-day. Forgive the actions that have not been ChristUke, the speech that has not been seasoned with His spirit, and those things within our hearts which have defiled us in His sight. Break our bondage to all our besetting sins, and dehver us from every relationship in which we are not able to make Thy will our law. Renew and estabhsh the mind of Christ in us. Teach us a more humble and complete dependence upon Him for all things, as we depend upon Him for peace and safety this night. ^ Bless, our Father, all conditions of men. May the rich and great be not uphfted in the conceit of their power, nor the poor and lowly hardened by their lot. May rich and poor, great and small, be enabled to work together for the just distribution of the increase of human toil and for the common enjoyment of the blessings of life. Show all men the vanity of earthly things, and unite the hearts of all to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Thee, O God; to whose especial care we commend those of our immediate circle: in the Name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. qOUR FATHER . . . 75 FRIDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ Ever-present God, we close our eyes before Thee that we may shut out those visible things which too much possess us, and that we may be possessed by Thee, who art the King, eternal, immortal, invisible. ^ O Lord, give us such communion with Thee and with the things that cannot be shaken, that no experience of the power of evil within or without shall be able to shake our faith in Thee, or in the progress and triumph of Thy king- dom. Help us to endure all things as seeing Thee who art invisible, and as being once for all committed to the invisible things of the spirit. Enable us to do all that our hands find to do, and to estimate and control every desire and emotion in the ministering spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Use us to-day in the world for the advancement of the eternal king- dom of Christ. ^ Our Father in heaven, bless the Church which Thou hast set up in the world. Cleanse and purify her, that she may not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord, her Head. Open the hearts of all who forget Thee, and of all who despise and contemn Thee, doing the works of selfishness, unright- eousness, and ruin, that they may receive Christ, their righteousness, their peace, their joy, and be found in Him now and at the last day. Bless all the members of our family and our friends, for Christ's sake. ^OUR FATHER 76 Fourth Week FRIDAY EVENING ^ Our Father, we thank Thee that the darkness and the hght are both ahke to Thee. Make the Hght of Thy presence shine about us hke the day, that, at this evening time, it may be hght for us who pray to Thee in the Name of Christ. ^ Send upon us now Thy Spirit of truth to teach us how we cannot do without Thee Show us now the unknown or forgotten ways in which Thou hast kept us from harm to-day. Enhghten our eyes that we may see what temptations Thou hast dehvered us out of, as being too great for us. Instruct us in the ways of Thy redeeming love, that we may be able to discover how all things have been working together for oiu* good. May we not fail to repent of every sin; to learn from every experience; to rejoice in every sure and glorious hope, as we commend ourselves to the continuance of Thy care through the night. ^ Our heavenly Father, Thou hast ordained every human re- lationship. Bless family life, that fathers and mothers may set before their children examples of purity and peace. Bless those organizations of men which do the world's work, that they may not put the meat above the hfe. Bless all associa- tions and societies of men for the discovery of truth, that they may not fail to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Bless the governments of men, and particularly our own govern- ment, that righteousness and peace may be united in them. Bless Thy Church, O God, the pillar and ground of the truth; bring all men into it, and estabhsh in it all those in the closest human relationships with us, for Jesus' sake. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 77 SATURDAY MORNING Fourth Week ^ O God, our Maker and Preserver, we come to Thee at the beginning of this day. We thank Thee for the morning's hght, for all light, and particularly for Christ, the Light of the world. We praise Thee that Thou hast raised us up out of the darkness of sin into the light of Thy goodness in Christ. ^ O Lord, help us to walk as children of the light to-day. Make us merciful to our fellow-men with that long-suffering mercy that Thou hast shown us. May we not uncharitably condemn any, nor unfaithfully give up any to unrighteous- ness, but may we hope all things, believe all things, and under- take all things by faith working through love. Bless us in every relationship of this life ; and help us to turn every rela- tionship at home and among men to the account of our growth in grace and to the advantage of Christ's kingdom. ^ O Thou, whose grace is sufficient, suffer none of Thy chil- dren, for any cause, to depart from the faith this day. En- courage and strengthen them, that they may commend the gospel to the world. Bless all those throughout the world who follow Jesus in going about doing good ; teach the world who their Example is, that Christ may draw all men to Him by His sacrifice and death, and by the continual sacrifice and daily deaths of those who follow Him. May Thy love rule in the hearts of all our friends, and in the hearts of all their friends, that all may be friends of Christ : for His sake. qOUR FATHER 78 Fourth Week SATURDAY EVENING ^ Our Father who art in secret, hide us, we beseech Thee, secretly in Thy paviKon from the pride of men and the strife of tongues. We seek Thee now by our prayers; help us to find Thee, and to rest in Thee, through Christ. ^ Our Father, we lay before Thee the week which Thou didst give us. If we have loved and sought corruptible things, O Lord, forgive us. Set our affections on things above, that we may not weigh any earthly gain or loss against our incor- ruptible and undefiled inheritance with Christ. We believe that Thou dost order our lives; help us to see Thy love in everything, or to trust Thee where we cannot see. Make us and all Thy children willing partakers of the joy that comes by pain and sacrifice; and prepare us to meditate to-morrow on all the benefits purchased for us by the sacrifice of Christ. ^ O Lord, turn the thoughts of all men to Thyself. May all sinful and dying men be able to look to Thee in an acceptable time. Restore the joy of Thy salvation to those who have lost it. Comfort and sustain with heavenly comfort all those who suffer from earthly ills. May the world be as- tonished by the boldness of those who shall preach good ti- dings to-morrow. May all alms, whether of earthly substance or of that which is from within, be given in the Name of Christ, and used to lead the world to Christ. May all those who belong to us belong to Christ now and for ever. In His Name. ^OUR FATHER 79 SUNDAY MORNING Fijth Week ^ Glory be to Thee, O God ; Giver of the morning Ught, 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 Sab- bath 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 wor- ship 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 crea- tion and perfect peace in Thee, according to the teaching and the example of Thy Son, our living Saviour, Jesus Christ. ^ As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, O God, our souls do thirst after Thee, that we may see Thy power and Thy glory, as we have seen them in the sanctuary, and be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house. Lead us and guide us unto Thy holy hill, and bring us together with sweet con- verse to the place of prayer, to hear Thy word of truth in the spirit, to offer the sacrifices of joy with Thy people, and to make melody in our hearts with the songs of Zion. Pre- pare us, we beseech Thee, for a true entrance into the secret of Thy tabernacle; and bless Thy churches everywhere this day with the clear shining of Thy presence; that the Holy Spirit may descend on many hearts, and multitudes may be brought from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. qOUR FATHER . . . 80 Fifth Week SUNDAY EVENING ^ Confirm, Lord, we pray Thee, the hearts of Thy children, and strengthen them with the power of Thy grace ; that they may both be devout in prayer to Thee, and sincere in love for each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ Send Thy peace into our hearts, O Lord, at the evening hour, that we may be contented with Thy mercies of this day, and confident of Thy protection for this night; and now, having forgiven others, even as Thou dost forgive us, may we have a pure comfort and a healthful rest within the shelter of this home; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. ^ Almighty God, we praise Thee for the mercies which Thou hast bestowed upon us as a household, and we beseech Thee to bless all the famihes of earth with a Father's blessing. Look mercifully upon the solitary and the lonely, the weary and the heavy-laden, 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 com- mend 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. ^OUR FATHER 81 MONDAY MORNING Fifth Week ^ Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ^ 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 labors, 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 wilhng and a cheerful mind; and defend us all, by Thine almighty power, both from inward evil and from outward harm; so that, when the day is ended, it may not leave us in sorrow, strife, or shame, but in true unity and thankful rest, through Thy merciful favor and Thy forgiving love, in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^ We remember before Thee, O Lord, our brethren who are tried with sickness: entreating Thee to increase their faith and patience, to restore them to health, if it be Thy will, and to give them a happy issue out of all their troubles. Have pity on all widows and orphans; succor all who are in danger by sea and land, all prisoners and captives, and all who are oppressed with labor and toil. Have mercy on those who are tempted, and on those who are in darkness and per- plexity, and strengthen them with Thy Holy Spirit. Be present with those who are dying, and grant that they may depart in peace, fearing no evil, and live before Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom, through Christ our Lord. ^OtR FATHER . . , 82 Fijth Week MONDAY EVENING ^ Almighty God, who alone gavest us the breath of hfe, and alone canst keep alive in us the breathing of holy desires; We beseech Thee for Thy compassion's sake to sanctify all our thoughts and endeavors, that we may neither begin any action without a pure intention, nor continue it without Thy blessing; and grant that, having the eyes of our understand- ing purged to behold things invisible and unseen, we may in heart be inspired with Thy wisdom, and in work be upheld by Thy strength, and in the end be accepted of Thee, as Thy faithful servants, having done all things to Thy glory, and thereby to our endless peace. Grant this prayer, O Lord. ^ O Lord, support us all the long day of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in Thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. f O Thou who art the God of all the families of the earth; We beseech Thee to bless all our friends and kindred, and to grant that we may ever be knit together in the bonds of mutual love, and, above all, that we may be members to- gether of the mystical body of Christ. ^ OUR FATHER 83 TUESDAY MORNING Fifth Week ^ Eternal and ever-blessed God, we bow down before Thy Divine majesty, adoring Thee, the Lord of heaven and earth, of whom and through whom and to whom are all things; unto whom be glory for ever and ever. ^ Lift upon us the light of Thy countenance, O God, that we may rejoice and be glad in Thee; and send into our souls the purifying gift of Thy pardon, that our sins may be utterly removed from us, and we may go forth with a clean spirit, a joyful courage, and strength sufficient for our needs, to meet whatever Thou hast appointed for us during this day. And grant, O most merciful Lord, that we may neither forget the precepts and the promises of Thy holy word, nor depart in thought, or word, or deed from the obedient faith of Thy true children in Jesus Christ. ^ God, most merciful, who healest those that are broken in heart, and turnest the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; Let Thy fatherly goodness be upon all that Thou hast made. Especially we beseech Thee to remember in pity such as are this day destitute, homeless, or forgotten of their fellow men. Bless the congregation of the poor. Uplift those who are cast down, mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all discouraged and unhappy people, and by Thy heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose penury tempteth them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they be perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of Him who for our sakes became poor. Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. f OUR FATHER . . . 84 Fifth Week TUESDAY EVENING ^ O Thou, who art the true Sun of the world, evermore rising, and never going down; who, by Thy most wholesome appear- ing and light dost nourish, and make joyful all things, as well that are in heaven, as also that are on earth; We be- seech Thee mercifully and favorably to shine into our hearts, that the night and darkness of sin, and the mists of error on every side, being driven away. Thou brightly shining within our hearts, we may all our life long go without any stumbling or offense, and may walk as in the daytime, being pure and clean from the works of darkness, and abounding in all good works which Thou hast prepared for us to walk in. ^ Lord, perfect, we beseech Thee, the faith of us who be- lieve, and sow the good seed of faith in their hearts who as yet lack it ; that we all may look steadfastly unto Thee, and run with patience the race that is set before us. Give us grace to show our faith by our works ; teach us to walk by faith, having respect unto the promises: which of Thy mercy make good to us in Thine own good time, O our most gracious Lord God and Saviour. ^ O Lord, our heavenly Father, bless and keep, we pray Thee, our kindred, friends, and benefactors, and graciously watch between them and us while we are absent one from another, that in due time we may meet again to praise Thee, and here- after dwell together in heavenly mansions; through Christ our Lord. f OUR FATHER 85 WEDNESDAY MORNING Fifth Week ^ Almighty God, the Fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech Thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot, ask, vouchsafe to give us in the fulness of Thy love and grace, which Thou hast made known to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ Grant, O Lord, that this day which Thou hast given unto us in mercy, may be returned unto Thee in service : As Thou hast guarded us during the helpless hours of sleep so do Thou guide us during the appointed hours of labor; that all our tasks may be gladly and faithfully performed, as in Thy sight; that our burdens may not be too heavy for us, because Thine aid and comfort are with us continually; and that in nothing may we displease Thee, or injure one another. But if in anjrthing we fail or come short, through ignorance or weakness, O God, let Thy fatherly wisdom correct us, and Thine infinite mercy forgive us, and Thy divine love amend our fault; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. ^ O God, who hast taught us to keep all Thy heavenly com- mandments by loving Thee and our neighbor; Grant us the spirit of peace and grace, that we may be both devoted to Thee with our whole heart, and united to each other with a pure will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. qOUR FATHER 86 Fifth Week WEDNESDAY EVENING ^ Let the prayers of Thy suppHants, O Lord, come up to the ears of Thy mercy; and that we may obtain what we ask, make us ever to ask what pleases Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ Ahnighty and most merciful Father, in whom we live and move and have our being, to whose tender compassion we owe our safety in days past, together with all the comforts of this present life, and the hopes of that which is to come; We praise Thee, O God, our exceeding Joy, who daily pourest Thy benefits upon us. Grant, we beseech Thee, that Jesus our Lord, the Hope of glory, may be formed in us, in all humihty, meekness, patience, contentedness, and absolute surrender of our souls and bodies to Thy holy will and pleas- ure. Leave us not, nor forsake us, O Father, but conduct us safe through all changes of our condition here, in an un- changeable love to Thee, and in holy tranquillity of mind in Thy love to us, till we come to dwell with Thee, and rejoice in Thee for ever. ^ Hear our prayers, O Lord, and consider our desires. Give unto us true humility, a meek and quiet spirit, a loving and a friendly, a holy and a useful manner of life; bearing the bur- dens of our neighbors, denying ourselves, and studying to benefit others, and to please Thee in all things. Grant us to be righteous in performing promises, loving to our relatives, careful of our charges; to be gentle and easy to be entreated, slow to anger, and readily prepared for every good work. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 87 THURSDAY MORNING Fifth Week fl Lord, lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us : let Thy peace rule in our hearts; and may it be our strength, and our song in the house of our pilgrimage. We commit ourselves to Thy care and keeping this day; let Thy grace be mighty in us, and sufficient for us, and let it work in us both to will and to do of Thine own good pleasure. Keep us from sin; give us the rule over our own spirits; and keep us from speaking unadvisedly with our lips. May we live together in peace and holy love, and do Thou command Thy blessing upon us, even life for evermore. Prepare us for all the events of the day; for we know not what a day may bring forth. Give us grace to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow in the steps of our Lord and Master. ^ O Thou who dwellest in heaven, mercifully regard all Thy sorrowful and afflicted children upon earth, we beseech Thee. Draw near to them with the comfort of Thy love, and sus- tain them by the right hand of Thy power. Grant us a heart to sympathize with them in their distress, and give us both the opportunity and the will to help those who are in any trouble, for Jesus Christ's sake. f Lord, make us to love Thee, and each other in Thee, and to meet before Thee to dwell in Thine everlasting love. q OUR FATHER 88 Fifth Week THURSDAY EVENING ^ God most merciful, Light eternal in the darkness shin- ing, by whom the night of sin and the blindness of om* hearts are driven away: Since Thou hast appointed the day for labor and the night for rest ; grant unto us, we beseech Thee, that our bodies may repose in peace and quietness, that afterward they may be able to endure the toil which Thou hast laid upon us in Thy service : Temper our sleep that it be not dis- orderly, and keep us spotless both in body and in soul, that our very rest may be to Thy glory, renewing the strength of our hearts and our joy in Thee: Enlighten the eyes of our understanding that we may not sleep in death, but obtain deliverance, through faith and hope, from all fear of this misery: Defend us against all assaults of our enemies, and take us into Thy holy protection. And although we have not passed this day without greatly sinning against Thee, we beseech Thee to hide our sins with Thy mercy, as Thou cover- est all things on earth with the darkness of the night, that they may be blotted out from Thy remembrance, and we may abide in Thy presence and Thy favor, both now and for evermore. Relieve and comfort, with Thy fatherly goodness, all who are afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate: Protect and prosper, with Thine almighty pOwer, our country and our rulers, the whole Church of Christ on earth, our home, and all that we hold dear and sacred: Be pleased to guard and help those whom we silently remember before Thee: [here let there be a moment of prayer in silence:] Bless us and keep us, watch over us and save us, God in whom Wc trust; through Jesus Christ our Lord. lUR FATHER 89 FRIDAY MORNING Fifth Week ^ God, who by Thy word hast given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; Encoiu-age us by Thy Spirit to a confident expectation of all good things from Thee; that we may abide and labour in the cheerfulness of a godly hope. ^ We praise Thee, O God, with the morning light, and in the brightness of a new day we bless Thy holy Name. For all Thou hast bestowed upon is with the gift of hfe, making us in Thine own image, and granting us to share as children in Thy knowledge and Thy love, in Thy work and Thy joy; we thank Thee, heavenly Father. For all good things in the world, for food and raiment, for home and friendship, for useful tasks and pure pleasures; we thank Thee, heavenly Father. For all spiritual blessings, for Thy holy word, for the Christian fellowship, for the good example and blessed memory of Thy saints, for the secret influence of Thy Spirit; we thank Thee, heavenly Father. And above all we praise and bless Thee for the life and death of Thy dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. ^ O Lord, grant that our hearts may be truly cleansed, and filled with Thy Holy Spirit, and that we may arise to serve Thee, in entire confidence and submission to Thy will, ready to do and to endure whatsoever Thou hast appointed for us. Let us live for the day, not overcharged with worldly cares, but feeling that our treasure is not here, and desiring truly to be joined to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom, and to those who are already gone to Thee. Lord, save us from sin, and guide us with Thy spirit, and keep us in faithful obedience to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. q OUR FATHER . . . 90 Fijth Week FRIDAY EVENING fl[ We beseech Thee, Lord, to behold us with favor, gathered together in the peace of this roof, weak men and women sub- sisting under the covert of Thy patience. Be patient still; suffer us yet a while longer — with our broken purposes of good, with our idle endeavors against evil, suffer us a while longer to endure and (if it may be) help us to do better. Bless to us our extraordinary mercies; if the day come when these must be taken, brace us to play the man under afSiction. Be with our friends, be with ourselves. Go with each of us to rest; if any awake, temper to them the dark hours of watch- ing; and when the day returns, return to us, our Sun and Com- forter, and call us up with morning faces and with morning hearts — eager to labor — eager to be happy, if happiness shall be our portion — and if the day be marked for sorrow, strong to endure it. ^ God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and mul- tiply upon us Thy mercy, that, Thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we may finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O Lord, most merciful, for the sake of Thy dear Son, our Saviour. ^ Almighty and everlasting God, the Comfort of the sad, the Strength of sufferers; Let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come unto Thee; that all may rejoice to find Thy mercy present with them in their aflaictions; through Christ our Lord. ^ OUR FATHER . . . 91 SATURDAY MORNING Fifth Week ^ 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 labor for the life that now is, ever to have regard unto that heavenly hfe which Thou hast promised Thy chil- dren. Defend us in soul and body from all harm. And see- ing it is a small thing to have begun well, except we also per- severe, take us, 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: [here let there he a moment of prayer in silence:] 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. >UR FATHER Fifth Week SATURDAY EVENING ^Almighty God, the Father of our spirits; Meet with us at close of day, and grant unto us, Thy children, the peace which the world cannot give. May no unhallowed thoughts or cares disturb the quiet of this evening hour. Deliver us from the vain things which have such power over us. May we learn wisdom, receive strength, gain hope, feel the in- fluence of things unseen, and find rest in God. ^ God, who hast commanded us to be perfect, as Thou our Father in heaven art perfect; Put into our hearts, we pray Thee, a continual desire to obey Thy holy will. Teach us day by day what Thou wouldest have us do, and give us grace and power to fulfil the same. May we never, from love of ease, decline the path which Thou pointest out, nor, for fear of shame, turn away from it. ^ Almighty God, we commend to Thee our families and our children. Dwell in our homes, we beseech Thee; protect our dwellings from all evil, both outwardly and inwardly, and fill them with peace and holiness. We pray for all who are dear to us, that they may be delivered from all the dangers of this present life, and kept by Thy grace unto salvation. And O, most loving Father, we remember with undying affec- tion those whom death has taken, and who sleep in Jesus. United in one household of faith and love, may we five in the blessed hope, that when the day dawns and the shadows flee away, we shall meet with them and all Thy redeemed, in Thy presence, where there is fullness of joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^OUR FATHER . . . 93 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS NEW YEAR'S DAY ^ O Thou who art from everlasting to everlasting, without beginning or end of days; Replenish us with heavenly grace, at the beginning of this year, that we may be enabled to accept all its duties, to perform all its labors, to welcome all its mercies, to meet all its trials, and to advance through all it holds in store for us, with cheerful courage and a constant mind. O Lord, suffer us not to be separated from Thee, either by joy or sorrow, or any sin or weakness of our own; but have compassion upon us, and forgive us, and keep us in the strong confidence of Thine eternal love in Jesus Christ: that as Thou hast called us to immortality through Him, so we may pass the residue of our years in the power of an end- less life; and to Thy Name shall be all the praise. FOR WASfflNGTON'S BIRTHDAY ^ O God, who of old didst raise up leaders of Thy people and captains of Thy host, and didst not withhold the same good providence from our fathers in their need; We gratefully celebrate before Thee this day the singular excellence and the illustrious services of Thy servant, George Washington. And we pray that so long as this nation endures, his memory may abide in the hearts of all its citizens, and may shine steadfast in the places of their government, as a light which the hand of the Lord hath kindled. GOOD FRIDAY ^ 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 re- demption; Mercifully grant that this mind may be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, that we may both follow the example of His hmnble obedience and patient suffering, and 94 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS 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. EASTER DAY ^ Almighty God, who hast brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the glorious Prince of salvation, with ever- lasting victory over hell and the grave: Grant us power, we beseech Thee, to rise with Him to 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. THE FOURTH OF JULY ^ Almighty God, who on this day didst direct and inspire the hearts of our fathers to set forth the independence of these United States; We give all glory and praise to Thee, the Author of our liberty, and the sure Defense of our safety. We pray that by Thy grace we may be enabled to build wisely upon these foundations of freedom and of peace : that we may hold our liberties in due subjection to Thy law, and in all things seek that righteousness which exalteth a nation. Kindle in our hearts the pure flame of sacrifice to our country's needs; and grant that the fires of our patriotism may shine as beacon lights upon Thy holy hills, O God, and may point the ways of men toward that universal brotherhood, when the nations of the world shall be one in Jesus Christ our Lord. LABOR DAY ^ O God, who didst give over Thy Son to the toil and bur- dens of our human lot; We pray that all who earn their daily bread by the labor of their hands may enter into fellowship with Him, who came to do Thy will. Strengthen our hands, 95 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS encourage our hearts, and grant us the reward of our labor in all reasonable comfort for our families. Regard the well-being and prosperity of our farms and foundries, our factories and work-rooms, and all places of honorable industry. EstabUsh there Thy kingdom, we beseech Thee, in social righteousness and mutual good will. So govern men's hearts that the love of man may subdue the love of gain; that all occasions of strife may cease, and the counsels of selfishness be turned to seek the common good. For Christ's sake. THANKSGIVING DAY AND HARVEST HOME ^ Most high and mighty Ruler of the universe, by whom our Nation hath been established in freedom and preserved in union; We praise Thee for Thy favor shown unto our fathers, and Thy faithfulness continued unto their children: for the rich land given us for an inheritance, and the great power entrusted to the people : for the fidehty of men set in authority, and the peace maintained by righteous laws: for protection against our enemies, and deliverance from in- ward strife: for an honorable place among the nations, and the promise of increasing strength. Lord, Thou hast not dealt so with any people: Keep Thou the Commonwealth beneath Thy care, and guide the State according to Thy will : and Thine shall be the glory and the praise and the thanks- giving, from generation to generation. § O almighty and everlasting God, who hast blessed the labors of the husbandman, and given unto us the fruits of the earth in their season; Grant us grace to use the same to Thy glory, to the relief of those that are needy, and to our own comfort; through Jesus Christ, who is the Living Bread which Cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS CHRISTMAS EVE ^ Lord Jesus, for whose sake all motherhood is holy, and since whose coming the little children are first in the kingdom of Thy Father; Come to every household and family that loves Thee on this Christmas Eve. Speak comforting things to the heart of every mother, and take the httle children into Thine arms, O Christ. Let every Christmas gift be a reminder of Thee, and let Thy Name be spoken softly in every home. Lord Jesus, hear; Lord Jesus, come; and light this home with Christmas love. CHRISTMAS DAY ^ Father in heaven, whose mercy we praise in the yearly re- membrance 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 grati- tude, in unselfish love and cheerful service, that our keeping of Christmas may be a blessing to our souls, a memorial of Christ, a benefit to our fellowmen, and a thanksgiving unto Thee for Thine unspeakable gift of the Saviour. THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR ^ We call to remembrance, God, Thy loving-kindness through the year that is past. Thy tender mercies that have been ever of old. We thank Thee for anything we may have been enabled to do to Thy praise, and pray Thee to forgive our manifold offenses and shortcomings, and to remember them no more against us. Make us deeply sensible of the passing of the years and the uncertainties of our mortal life, that we may do with all our present strength such duties as Thou hast intrusted to our hands. And grant that, in humble 7 97 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS sincerity and cheerful hope, we may serve Thee more faithfully through such years as may remain : through Jesus Christ our Lord. A DAY OF HUMILIATION ^ most mighty God, King of kings and Lord of lords, with- out whose care the watchman waketh but in vain; We im- plore, in this our time of need, Thy succor and blessing in behalf of our rulers and magistrates, and of all the people of this land. Remember not our many and great transgressions ; turn from us the judgments which we feel, and the yet greater judgments which we fear; and give us wisdom to discern, and faithfulness to do, and patience to endure, whatsoever shall be well-pleasing in Thy sight; that so Thy chastenings may yield the peaceful fruits of righteousness, and that at the last, we may rejoice in Thy salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. IN TIME OF DEARTH AND FAMINE ^ God, heavenly Father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, and the earth bring forth her increase; Behold, we be- seech Thee, the afflictions of Thy people; increase the fruits of the earth by Thy heavenly benediction; and grant that the scarcity and dearth which we now suffer, may through Thy goodness be mercifully turned into plenty; that we, receiving Thy bountiful liberality, may use the same to Thy glory, the relief of those that are needy, and our own comfort; for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. IN TIME OF PESTILENCE ^ Holy and mighty Lord, who didst turn back the angel of the plague from the dwellings of Thy people; We beseech Thee to hear our cry for those who are suffering and dying, [here, if any place be specially afflicted, let it he named,] under 98 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS the visitation of disease. Mercifully bless the means which are used to stay the spread of sickness, strengthen those who labor to heal and comfort the afflicted, support those who are in pain and distress, speedily restore those who have been brought low, and unto all who are beyond heahng, grant Thy heavenly consolation and Thy saving grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AFTER A GREAT DISASTER ^ Almighty God, who art a very present help in time of trouble; Let not the heart of Thy people fail when fear com- eth, but do Thou sustain and comfort them until these ca- lamities be overpast : and since Thou knowest the cause and reason why this grievous disaster [of fire, flood, earthquake, shipwreck, or other trouble,] hath fallen upon men, so do Thou heal the hurt and wounded, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deUver any who are still in peril, for Thy great mercy's sake. IN TIME OF INSURRECTIONS AND TUMULTS ^ O almighty Lord God, who alone riddest away tyrants by Thine everlasting determination, and stillest the noise and tumult of the people; Stir up Thy great strength, we beseech Thee, and come and help us; scatter the counsels of them that secretly devise mischief, and bring the dealings of the violent to naught; cast down the unjust from high places, and cause the unruly to cease from troubling; allay all en- vious and malicious passions, and subdue the haters and the evil-doers; that our land may have rest before Thee, and that all the people may praise Thee, our Help and our Shield, both now and evermore. IN TIME OF WAR f almighty God, supreme Ruler and Governor of all things, who art a strong tower of defense to them that fear 99 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN TIMES AND SEASONS Thee, and whose power no creature is able to resist; Unto Thee do we cry in the hour of our country's need. To Thee it belongeth justly to punish sinners and to be merciful to those who repent. Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech Thee, from the hands of our enemies; abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices; that we, being armed with Thy defense, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify Thee, who art the only Giver of all victory; through the merits of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ^ O Lord God of infinite mercy, we humbly beseech Thee to look down upon the nations now engaged in war. Reckon not against Thy people their many iniquities, for from the lusts of our own hearts come wars and fightings amongst us. Look in mercy on those immediately exposed to peril, con- flict, sickness, and death: comfort the prisoners, relieve the sufferings of the wounded, and show mercy to the dying. Remove in Thy good providence all causes and occasions of war; dispose the hearts of those engaged therein to modera- tion; and of Thy great goodness restore peace among the nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. IN TIME OF PEACE RESTORED ^ O eternal God, our heavenly Father, who alone makest men to be of one mind, and stillest the outrage of a violent and unruly people; We bless Thy holy Name tHat it hath pleased Thee to appease the tumults which have been lately raised up among us; most humbly beseeching Thee to grant to all of us grace, that we may henceforth obediently walk in Thy holy commandments; and, leading a quiet and peace- able life in all godliness and honesty, may continually offer unto Thee our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for these Thy mercies toward us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 100 PRAYERS FOR CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF FAMILY LIFE AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD ^ God, who art the Author and Preserver of Ufe; We thank Thee for Thy good providence which watches over us, and especially for Thy mercy vouchsafed in the birth of this Httle child. We would receive him as a trust from Thy hand, to be named with Thy Name and trained for Thy service. We commend him to Thy gracious fatherhood, beseeching Thee to protect him from all harm, both of body and soul. Come down, Holy Spirit, into this child's heart; awaken him to hfe and love; replenish him with Thy grace; keep him from the evil of the world, and guide his feet unto life eternal; for Christ's sake. ON THE DAY OF A CHILD'S BAPTISM ^ O God, who by Thy Son hast established in Thy Church the sacrament of Baptism as a sign and seal of our engrafting into Christ; Take this child, we beseech Thee, into Thy fatherly tuition, that he may abide in Christ for ever. Give us faith to hear Thy covenant, in simple trust that Thou wilt receive and keep the child whom we commit to Thee; and give to those who make answer for him grace to fulfil the solemn vows they make in Thy Name. Let Thy Holy Spirit come upon us, and sustain us with the breath of life; and Thy hand guide us beside the still waters of Thy peace; for His sake who is the good Shepherd of Thy sheep, Jesus Christ our Lord. ON A BIRTHDAY ^ O God, who art eternal and unchangeable, but who gavest Thy Son to be born of woman and to numl^er His sinless years; We thank Thee for the days of the Son of Man, as over against them we measure our own. And we pray Thee that on this day, and on every birthday celebrated in this household, the light of Christ may rise with healing in its wings; that it may 101 CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF FAMILY LIFE lift from the heart the shadow of past sins; and may shine anew upon those paths which once were trodden by His blessed feet. Lord, give us grace to follow Him. We ask it in His Name, who hallowed by His presence our human festivals; who shared our human sorrows and infirmities; and bore our human sins in His own body on the tree; even Jesus Christ our Lord. AT THE OPENING OF SCHOOL ^ O Lord, who art ever beside us, alike in our work and in our play; Grant that whatever our hands find to do, we do it as unto Thee. Bless this household as we come to the open- ing of the school year. Make us mindful of every oppor- tunity, obedient to every duty, eager to learn, and ready to be trained for Thy service. Implant in our hearts the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, and fill them with love, apart from which all knowledge is vain. Help us to pure thoughts and unselfish conduct; guide us in all our choices, whereby character is built, especially in choosing our friends: and make us to be a help to all our companions; that we and they may become good scholars in the school of Jesus Christ our Lord. ON ENTERING A NEW HOME ^ O God, who setteth the solitary in families and givest habi- tations to those who else were homeless; We pray Thee to meet us at the door of our new home. We enter its gates with praise, and here erect again the altar of our family worship. Receive, O God, anew the vows of our dedication of ourselves and all that we have, and consecrate this house by Thine indwelling here, that it may become a happy home and a temple of the Holy Spirit. Encircle our household with the love that hath been ever of old and yet is ever new: and 102 CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF FAMILY LIFE protect us by the might that is the same in all places of Thy dominion: for Christ's sake. BEFORE GOING TO THE LORD'S TABLE ^ Wherewithal shall we come before Thee, O God, or bow ourselves before Thy presence? Thy sacrifices are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Thou preparest a table before us in the presence of our enemies. We will go in the strength of the Lord God, we will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only. We will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. We will pay our vows unto the Lord, now in the presence of all Thy people. We will offer ourselves to Thee as the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and to Him who knocketh we will open the door of our heart, that He may come in and feast with us and we with Him: even Jesus Christ our Lord. AFTER RECEIVING THE LORD'S SUPPER ^ Almighty and ever-living God, we most heartily thank Thee for Thy rich mercy and invaluable goodness, vouchsafed to us in this sacred Communion, wherein we have assurance that we are very members of the mystical body of Thy Son, and heirs through hope of Thine everlasting kingdom. And, as we have been made partakers of Christ, so enable us to hold fast that which we have received, that no man may take our crown. Help us, we beseech Thee, to bear about with us continually the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the hfe also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal body; and grant that we may remain alway in the holy fellowship of all faithful people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. UPON THE COMING OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD INTO FULL COMMUNION WITH THE CHURCH ^ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty thanks and praise that Thou hast not withheld Thy loving- 103 CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF FAMILY LIFE kindness from this Thy servant, but hast given him shelter within the covenant of Thy peace, and makest him to sit down at Thy Table. We entreat Thee of Thy great mercy to perfect in him th*e good work Thou hast begun; that he, being defended by Thy fatherly hand, and strengthened with power through Thy Spirit in the inward man, may be en- abled to keep this covenant without spot, unrebukable, until the day of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. AFTER THE DEATH OF A CHILD ^ O Father, who gave us this child to be our very own, and hast now called him into the secret of Thy presence; We pray Thee to give us grace to lay up the treasure of our love in heavenly places, and to lay our suffering hearts upon Thine altar as the sacrifice of our thanksgiving that Thou wilt keep for ever that which Thou hast called us to commit unto Thy trust; in Jesus Christ our Lord. AFTER THE DEATH OF A PARENT ^ Heavenly Father, the Fountain of all pure love, in whose own Name and likeness our earthly parents have stood as the heads of this family and the bulwark of this home; Have mercy upon this stricken household. Like as a father pitieth his children, and even as one whom his mother comforteth, so may it please Thee to pity and to comfort us. Protect us by Thine almighty power, and guide us by Thy counsel. Strengthen us for the duties that have fallen to us, and ac- custom our feet to untried ways. Above all, we beseech Thee for grace to keep our eyes uplifted unto the eternal hills, whence cometh our help; and where they who served Thee while on earth walk with Thee in white garments which are washed in the blood of the Lamb. And as they followed Christ through the valley of this mortal life and are ascended 104 CERTAIN OCCASIONS OF FAMILY LIFE now to Thy right hand in glory, even so may we follow them in the darkness till the shadow shall lift and the morning dawn; and they and we together shall be for ever with the Lord. We ask it for Jesus' sake. AFTER A DEATH IN THE FAMILY ^ Almighty and most merciful God, the Consolation of the sorrowful, and the Support of the weary, who dost not will- ingly grieve or afflict the children of men; Look down in tender love and pity, we beseech Thee, upon Thy bereaved servants, whose joy is turned into mourning; so that, while they mourn, they may not murmur, or faint under Thy rod ; but, remembering all Thy mercies. Thy promises, and Thy love in Christ, may resign themselves meekly into Thy hands, to be taught and disciplined by Thee. Convert them wholly to Thyself, and fill their desolate hearts with Thy love, that they may cleave more closely to Thee, who bringest life out of death, and who canst turn their grief into eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. IN TIME OF DISTRESS ^ O God, most wise and loving and faithful Redeemer; Thou hast permitted us to come into this present trial, [here the affliction may be named or silently remembered,] in order that we may learn obedience by the things that we suffer, and turn to Thee, our Helper in the time of trouble. Grant, therefore, that there may be no bitterness in our sorrow, no despair in our submission, and no doubt of Thee in our perplexity of heart. But do Thou teach us to face our trial manfully, and cause even the dark things of hfe to work together for our good, and bring us speedily out of our distress, that we may praise Thee with a jo3^ul heart, in Christ Jesus our Lord. 105 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS AND OC- CASIONS FOR OUR COUNTRY ^ Almighty God, King of kings, and Lord of lords, from whom proceed all power and dominion in heaven and earth; Most heartily we beseech Thee to look with favor upon Thy servants, the President of the United States, the Governor of' this State, and all others in authority. Imbue them with the spirit of wisdom, goodness, and truth; and so rule their hearts, and bless their endeavors, that law and order, justice and peace, may everywhere prevail. Preserve us from pub- lic calamities; from pestilence and famine; from war, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; but especiall}^ from national sins and corruption. Make us strong and great in the fear of God, and in the love of righteousness; so that being blessed of Thee, we may become a blessing to all nations, to the praise of the glory of Thy grace; through Jesus Christ. FOR THE CHURCH ^ Thou who hast founded a Church for Thyself, and hast promised to dwell in it for ever; Enlighten and sanctify it, we beseech Thee, by Thy word and Spirit; endue all pastors and ministers with Thy grace, that they may with joy and assurance guard and feed Thy sheep, looking to the great Bishop and Shepherd of souls. Bless all who serve Thee in the rule of Thy Church; in the care of Thy poor; in the ministry of Thy praise; and in the teaching of the young. Strengthen them in their labors; give them courage to witness a good confession; and cause Thy Church to increase more and more, that every knee may bow before Thee, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. FOR MISSIONS ^ Lord, who didst come to seek and to save the lost and to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth; Hear the prayers of Thy Church for those who, at Thy command, go 106 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS forth to preach the gospel to every creature. Preserve them from all dangers; from perils by land and perils by water; from the deadly pestilence; from the violence of the perse- cutor; from doubt and impatience; from discouragement and discord; and from all the devices of the powers of darkness. While they plant and water, Lord, send Thou the increase; gather in the multitude of the heathen; and convert in Chris- tian lands such as neglect Thy great salvation; that Thy Name may be glorified, and Thy kingdom come, O Saviour of the world; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. FOR EVANGELISTIC WORK ^ Increase, God, the faith and the zeal of all Thy people, that they may more earnestly desire, and more dihgently seek, the salvation of their fellow-men, through the message of Thy love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Send forth a mighty call unto Thy servants to preach Thy word, and multiply the number of those who labor in the gospel; granting unto them a heart of love, sincerity of speech, and the power of the Holy Ghost, that they may be able to persuade men to forsake sin and turn unto Thee. And so bless and favor the work of Thine evangelists, that multitudes may be brought from the kingdom of evil into the kingdom of Thy dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. FOR THE YOUNG ^ Eternal Father, who out of the mouths of babes and suck- Ungs has ordained strength; Reveal Thyself unto our chil- dren, we beseech Thee, and grant them an entrance into Thy heavenly kingdom; that, being born again of the Spirit and taught by the Lord Jesus, they may grow up before Thee in purity of heart and innocency of life, until they come imto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. 107 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS ^ O God, our Father, in whose image all the children of men are made; Most heartily we beseech Thee to bless the Sun- day-schools of the Church, that the young may be instructed in Thy word, and that Thy likeness may be renewed in their hearts, through the knowledge of Thy dear Son, our Lord. Open the Holy Scripture, both to those who teach and to those who learn, that the difficulties of the letter may not hide the light of the Spirit. Make all the scholars ready to be taught and willing to obey, that they may find joy and peace in the way of Thy commandments. Enrich the teachers with patient faithfulness and loving wisdom, and send out more laborers into this part of Thy vineyard, that the young and tender plants may be nourished and trained to bring forth fruit unto everlasting life. Finally we beseech Thee, O most merciful Father, for all Thy little children who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of the evil that is in the world; that it may please Thee to have pity on them, and to gather them, by the kindly hand of Thy true servants, into the light of the Christian fold, that they may sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. So let Thy truth be manifest from generation to generation, and the whole family of man- kind rejoice together in Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES ^ Thou only wise God, our Saviour, with whom are all the treasures of heavenly understanding; Illuminate all schools and colleges and universities with the light that cometh from above; that those who teach may be taught of Thee, and those who learn may be led by Thy Spirit; and grant that by the increase of knowledge Thy truth may be confirmed, and Thy glory manifested; through Jesus Christ, Thy Living Word. 108 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS FOR A SICK PERSON ^ Most wise and loving Father, look down from heaven, be- hold, visit, and relieve this Thy servant. Look upon him with the eyes of Thy mercy, give him comfort and sure con- fidence in Thee, defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR A SICK CHILD ^ almighty God, our Father in heaven, have pity upon the young child, [N.] now lying upon the bed of sickness. Spare the Ufe which Thou hast given, and relieve the pains of the helpless: direct the ministry of healing for his recovery, and revive his spirit, that the frailty of the body may pass away: renew his strength both inwardly and outwardly, and grant unto him many years on earth, to serve Thee faithfully by doing good in his generation. Nevertheless, Father, what- soever Thy will may be concerning this child, we know that he is in Thy keeping, and we pray that his soul may be Thine, for ever and ever, in Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR ONE WHO IS NEAR TO DEATH ^ Eternal God, to whom belong the issues of life and death; We implore Thy mercy for Thy servant, [N.], whose time of departure seemeth to be near at hand. With Thee there is nothing impossible, and Thou canst raise him up even yet, and prolong his earthly pilgrimage, if it be Thy will: but if not, O God, be gracious unto him, and prepare his heart to return to Thee. Give unto him sincere repentance, true faith, abundant forgiveness, and a heavenly hope ; suffer him. not, in the last hour, for any pain or fear of death, to fall away from Thee; but let Thine everlasting arms be underneath himj and grant him a peaceful departure, and a happy en- trance into eternal rest ; through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ our Saviour. 109 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS FOR ONE RESTORED FROM SICKNESS ^ O God, who art the Giver of Ufe, of health, and of safety; We bless Thy Name, that Thou hast been pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness Thy servant, who now desireth to return thanks unto Thee, in the presence of Thy people. Gracious art Thou, O Lord, and full of compassion to the children of men. May his heart be duly impressed with a sense of Thy merciful goodness, and may he devote the resi- due of his days to an humble, holy, and obedient walking before Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR DEPARTING FRIENDS AND TRAVELLERS ^ Most merciful Father, we beseech Thee to protect and pros- per on his intended journey. May the Angel of Thy Presence be with him wherever he may go, and may all his steps be ordered of Thee in wisdom and love; so that he shall travel with Thee as his guardian and his guide, and arrive in safety at his desired haven. Lord, bless his going-out and his coming-in, from this time forth and even for evermore. FOR A PERSON, OR PERSONS, GOING TO SEA ^ eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; We commend to Thy al- mighty protection Thy servant, for whose preservation on the great deep our prayers are desired. Guard him, we beseech Thee, from the dangers of the sea, from sickness, from the violence of enemies, from every evil; and conduct him in safety to the haven where he would be, with a grateful sense of Thy mercies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR OUR ENEMIES ^ Lord Jesus Christ, who hast commanded us not to return evil for evil, but to pray for those who hate us; Enable us by Thy blessed example and Thy loving Spirit, to offer a true 110 INTERCESSIONS FOR SPECIAL OBJECTS prayer for all our enemies, [and especially for those persons known to Thee, who have wrought us harm.] If in anything we have given just cause of offense, teach us to feel, and to confess, and to amend our fault, that a way of reconcihation may be found. Let not their anger burn against us, but de- liver them and us from the power of hatred, so that we may be as ready to grant forgiveness as they to ask it, and the peace of God may rule in all our hearts, both now and ever- more. FOR BENEFACTORS ^ Almighty God, by whose good Spirit the minds of men are inclined to deeds of love and kindness ; We thank Thee for all the help and comfort which we have received from friends and benefactors, [and especially from those whose bounty we now remember and record.] As they have been mindful of us, so be Thou ever mindful of them: as they have freely given, so may they freely receive at Thy hands abundant mercies and blessings. Do Thou have regard unto all their necessities, and reward all their good deeds, that in this life the comfort of grateful thoughts may follow them, and in the life to come Thy love may welcome them to an everlasting habitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR THE ABSENT ^ Almighty God, who art not far from any one of us; We commend into Thy fatherly care and keeping , to whom our hearts go out in absence. Let these our loving thoughts come up before Thee as prayers and supplications; defend our beloved from all danger and harm, in body and in soul; enrich him with all blessings both for this life and for that which is to come ; and grant that we may soon meet together, with joy and not with grief, to thank Thee for all Thy mercies, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ill FORMS OF GRACE BEFORE MEAT ^ The Lord make us grateful for all His mercies, and add His blessing, for Christ's sake. Amen. ^ Almighty God, who providest for us, nourish our souls with the Bread of Life in Jesus Christ. Amen. ^ Bless us, O Lord, in blessing Thee, as we receive Thy gift of daily bread. Amen. ^ The Lord bless this food to our use, and us to His service. Amen. ^ Lord, help us to receive all good things as from Thy hand, and to use them to Thy praise. Amen. ^ Heavenly Father, make us thankful to Thee, and mindful of others, as we receive these blessings, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ^ Father in heaven, sustain our bodies with this food, our hearts with true friendship, and our souls with Thy truths for Christ's sake. Amen. ^ Lord Jesus, be our holy Guest, Our morning Joy, our evening Rest; And with our daily bread impart Thy love and peace to every heart. Amen. 112 ^v^N^>^^x.^vs^.N-.^^ss^^sss^^^^s^sv^^^sN^^^^^^^^^\v^y■^^^\^^xss^\s\^^k'^^^^^ m ' ," kv^■;w^w.k^^j,■,^>.w-:WJ-k^'^■^!!.^'k^'^^','^ik^'- ^??;^ t.ikmw^".^'m'.■ ..a.a . .....u..u... ..-. ■■.... ' - -""^ '"'"-""""^ .vi.^km'->!-Nkkkk'Ak.k,^v'u^A^.v.,,m'.v^.^v.v.uM...^^^ .sv^kkUAAk4km'ii.au -^|^^Lll^s,,sJ.^k■J^M^,,.,J^uJ.^wkAuk^kkmu^^ ^ ==^ L....uu..WM...uu.a.u..u^.wu.u...M a.uuu.a a U.K.... - vV"'^^'^ vni..j;ia c^^i llll >S!g^ ■■■?'■' k..kw ,rkY^kUkv.v...^-';.k-'.',k.k>-.s.x.ss..ssr- Luu..... . ..... '^ I ' , ' .k ' . ' .u. ' '.w..k-.i.ksww.^m...sk ..,.v...,v ',Au....,,A,.sv.vkv..vk» ...J A ■ ,., .!^?ts;;tst!:; Ill ^i)J}W>)'MWMW'^'W'W>WkW.^»,Wt^wy^)«)l!S!«v^yMWy..!^^. ^.....muww....j.^k^k^k'-m.kkk^'-^-v^^^^^ .mmkk....^.v..,.-.'v, --iii-,i^^vni^ Princeton Theological Seminary-Speer Librar 1 1012 01114 2405