PRAYERS,
&c.

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James iv. 8.

"Let prayer or reading be your assiduous employment: sometimes speak to God, at other times hear Him speak to you; let Him instruct you by His precepts, let Him regulate you: whom He hath made rich, none shall make poor."

St. Cyprian, iii. Cent.

MORNING PRIVATE PRAYER.

tion.

IN the name of the Father, Introduc= and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Our Father, which art in Heaven, I desire with humil

Invocation.

ity and contrition to offer Thee my continued, earnest, unwearied, morning sa

crifice of prayer, lifting up holy hands; looking to Thy promise of acceptance through the only one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Confes=
sion.

O Lord, who art everywhere, and at all times pre

sent, I confess my unworthiness of acceptance, and my need of an All-wise, All-powerful Being, to cleanse and sanctify my sinful heart, and renovate my depraved nature. O Holy God, I have abused my Christian privileges, visible and invisible; and I acknowledge with penitence, that I have not listened to the still small voice of God, speaking to me in my election, regenparticular eration, and promise of reomission or newal. Lord, have mercy

* Here recall

sins of

commission. upon me, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, for Jesus Christ His sake. Amen.

O Lord, my Lord, whose prayer for nature and property is ever Absolution. to have mercy and to forgive, absolve me from my sins, accepting Thy dear Son's sacrifice, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God for me, that I might be regenerated, renewed, cleansed, and pardoned. God, I penitently implore that my sins may be forgiven, and my good accepted, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Supplication to the Father.

O God, who forsakest us not, if not forsaken by us, have mercy upon me, and incline my heart to keep thy laws; sanctify my body, soul, and spirit, my desires, designs, conversation, and actions; examine my mind, and search out my conscience; teach me the means by which to avoid difficulties, temptations, and dangers: O search me and see if there

be any wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, for Jesus Christ His sake. Amen.

To the Son.

O Lord Jesu Christ, the adorable author and finisher of my faith, and only perfect model of my conduct, have mercy upon me, and grant that the perfect sacrifice of Thyself may be as acceptable to me, as it is efficacious; Thy laws as binding upon me, as they are holy, just, and good; and Thy doctrines as readily embraced, as Thy promises are sure. O have mercy upon me, and give me Thy spirit of love and purity, to carry on and perfect Thy good work. Amen.

To the Holy O Holy Spirit, One in Ghost. essence and dignity with the Father and the Son, have mercy upon me, continually renewing and sanctifying that nature which Thou hast

5

graciously regenerated, rectifying my affections, quickening my understanding, inclining my will to obedience; O baptize me with the precious blood of Christ, that I may be purified from my actual transgressions, as I have been from my original sin. Amen.

O Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Three Persons and One God, have

To the Trinity in Unity.

mercy upon me, and make me to feel Thy claim on my love, and Thy title to my worship and adoration; that humbling myself before the unsearchable Godhead, I may worship Thee in Spirit and in Truth. Amen.

Petition.

O God, who art above all, and through all, and in us all, may I receive a suitable and competent supply of my daily bread from the hand that has so liberally nourished and sus