FOR PROTECTION. ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ALMIGHTY Lord and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech 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. INTO Thy hands we commit ourselves, O God. We say of the Lord: Thou art our refuge, our present help in time of trouble; our hiding-place from the wind and covert from the tempest; our God, in Thee will we trust; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR ANYTHING DESIRED ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. LORD, if it be Thy will, let this come to pass: Lord, if it be for Thy glory, so be it in Thy Name. Lord, if Thou seest this is well for us and useful, then grant it unto us to use for Thine honour: But if Thou knowest it to be harmful and of no profit, then take from us the longing. Lord, Thou knowest in what way it is better: Let this or that be as Thou wilt. Give unto us what Thou wilt, how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Do with us as Thou wilt, put us where Thou wilt, deal freely with us every day. We are in Thy hand: Behold, we are Thv ser vants. We would not live unto ourselves but unto Thee: O that we could do so worthily and perfectly; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FOR GRACE TO LIVE. GOD, who, by the example of Thy dear Son, hast warned us that we should work Thy works while it is day, before the night cometh, when no man can work; Keep us from sloth and idleness, and from the misuse of those talents which Thou hast committed to our trust. Enable us to perform the several duties of our state and calling with such care and diligence that our work may never be reproved in Thy sight; and forasmuch as the needful business of this life is apt to steal away our hearts from Thee, give us grace to remember that we have a Master in heaven, and to do everything in singleness of heart, as unto Thee and not unto men, that of Thee we may receive the reward of the inheritance which Thou hast promised in Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. GOD, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly; Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what Thou wouldest have us to do; that the Spirit of Wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in Thy light we may see light, and in Thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FOR GRACE TO DIE. GOD, who holdest our souls in life, and hast appointed unto all men once to die; Grant that when our last hour cometh, and the time of our earthly sojourn is ended, we may neither be troubled nor dismayed; but being satisfied with Thy goodness and mercy, we may commend our spirits to Thy care; and firmly trusting in the merits of Thy Son, our Saviour, we may obtain a peaceful death and a happy entrance into glory. And this we beg for the sake of Him who died for us that we might live with Thee for ever. Amen. THE PSALTER. SELECTION 1. PSALM 1. 1 BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners: nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment: nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. PSALM 18: 25-35. 7 WITH the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful: with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright; 8 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure: and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward. 9 For thou wilt save the afflicted people: but wilt bring down high looks. 10 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 11 For by thee I have run through a troop: and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 12 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 13 For who is God save the Lord: or who is a rock save our God? 14 It is God that girdeth me with strength: and maketh my way perfect. 15 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. 16 He teacheth my hands to war: so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 17 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. SELECTION 2. PSALM 19. 1 THE heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech: and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language: where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world: In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber: and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors: cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight: O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. SELECTION 3. PSALM 20. 1 THE Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary: and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3 Remember all thy offerings: and accept thy burnt sacrifice; 4 Grant thee according to thine own heart: and fulfil all thy counsel. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. 6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed: he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call. PSALM 23. 10 THE Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. 11 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 12 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 13 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 14 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 15 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. |