OUR Father, which art in heaven, hal lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and the love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst us, and remain with us always. Amen. FAMILY PRAYERS. FIRST WEEK. SUNDAY MORNING. O THOU Lord of the Sabbath, who hast set apart this day for Thyself, and hast commanded us to keep it holy to thy Name, look down upon a family of sinful creatures, who are assembled together to acknowledge thy goodness in bringing us to see it. We adore thee for thy patience and forbearance in not dealing with us according to our deserts, nor rewarding us according to our iniquities. And we beseech Thee to pour down upon us the abundance of thy grace; that we may rest this day, according to thy commandment. Let not thy Sabbath be a weariness to us, but our delight. Let us honor Thee, by not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words. Bless us, O Lord, with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus: bless us, we pray Thee, in turning away every one of us from our iniquities. Wash us in the fountain of that blood which cleanseth from all sin. Clothe us with the robe of that righteousness, which is, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe. Prepare us for the various duties which are now before us. Sanctify unto us thy appointed means of grace. Send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead us; let them bring us to thy dwelling-place, and to thy tabernacle. May we go with the multitude to thy house of prayer, with the voice of joy and praise, with the multitude that keep holyday. There may we give thee the glory which is due unto thy Name, and worship Thee in the beauty of holiness. May we see thy power and thy glory, so as thy servants see them in the sanctuary; and be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy y temple. 7 Grant, O Lord, that the Scriptures, which Thou hast caused to be written for our learning, may be applied to our hearts in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power. May we in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life. Hear our prayers, O God, for all Christian Ministers; especially for Him whom Thou hast appointed over us;] and endue them with thy heavenly grace. Give unto them the spirit of love, and of power, and of a sound mind. Make them able ministers of the New Testament, faithful stewards of thy mysteries. Help them to take heed to themselves and to their doctrine, and to continue in them; that so, according to thy promise, they may both save themselves, and those who hear them. We beseech Thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all they, who do confess thy holy name, may agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love, and may numbers be added to it, every Sabbath-day, of such as shall be saved. Look in mercy upon all who have hitherto neglected thy Sabbaths. Teach them to improve those that remain; and so to redeem the time which they have lost, that they may be numbered among thy true people. Remember for good as many as, through sickness, or any other lawful impediment, may be prevented from attending the ordinances of thy house, and the habitation which their soul loveth. Let thy presence be with them in their private meditations, even as with those who shall assemble together in the place where thy Honor dwelleth. We pray Thee, also, to have compassion upon those who as yet belong not to thy visible Church. |