5.

Almighty God, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ didst give commandment to the holy apostles that they should go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; grant to us whom Thou hast called into Thy Church a ready will to obey Thy Word, and fill us with a hearty desire to make Thy way known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Look with compassion upon the heathen that have not known Thee, and on the multitudes that are scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. O heavenly Father, Lord of the harvest, have respect, we beseech Thee, to our prayers, and send forth labourers into Thine harvest. Fit and prepare them by Thy grace for the work of their ministry : give them the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; strengthen them to endure hardness ; and grant that by their life and doctrine they may show forth Thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

For our Fellow-Countrymen in Heathen Lands.

O Lord, who hast commanded us by Thine apostles to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, and as we have each received Thy gift, so to minister the same one to another; grant to all who are baptized into Thy holy name, and especially to our fellow-countrymen who sojourn in distant lands, that they may show forth Thy praises, who hast called them out of darkness into marvellous light. Preserve

them, we beseech Thee, from the sin of offending Thy little ones who believe in Thee, and from causing Thy Word to be blasphemed among the heathen. Make them as the salt of the earth, and as a light in the world; that so, beholding their good works, and won by their holy life, multitudes may be turned to Thy truth, to glorify Thee in the day of visitation, who art our Saviour and our God, blessed for ever.

Amen.

For the Young.

O gracious Saviour, who lovest little children, and didst take them into Thy holy arms and bless them bless now, we pray Thee, the children in this parish. May they grow up in Thy fear and love. May they live ever as members of Christ, children of God, and heirs of heaven. May they give their hearts to Thee, and remember their Creator in the days of their youth; that so they may be Thine for ever, and at length enter the heavenly inheritance which Thou hast purchased for them, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God evermore.

Amen.

Before Election of Elders or Deacons.

Almighty God, the Giver of all good gifts, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ hast appointed diverse administrations for the edifying of His Body in truth, holiness, and charity, mercifully look upon Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed, and at this time so guide

and govern them that they may faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve before Thee in Thy Church. And to those who shall be appointed to any holy function, give Thy grace and heavenly benediction, that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth Thy praises, and set forward the salvation of all men, to the glory of Thy great name, and the benefit of Thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

For the General Assembly during their Session.

O almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the first Assembly of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, and dost still inhabit the whole company of the faithful; mercifully regard, we beseech Thee, Thy servants chosen and gathered before Thee at this time, as a chief court and council of Thy Church. Shed down upon them all heavenly wisdom and grace; enlighten them with true knowledge of Thy Word; inflame them with a pure zeal for Thy glory; and so order all their doings through Thy good Spirit that unity and peace shall prevail among them; that truth and righteousness shall flow forth from them; and that, by their endeavours, all Thy Ministers and Churches shall be established and comforted, Thy Gospel everywhere purely preached and truly followed, Thy kingdom among men extended and strengthened, and the whole body of Thine elect people grow up into Him who is Head over all things to the Church, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

IX.

Collects and Prayers for Special Occasions.

For the Season of Holy Communion.

1.

GOD, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who dost,

in Thy good providence call us to draw near to Thee in Holy Communion, look graciously, we beseech Thee, upon Thy servants who are about to seek Thy grace in this most sacred ordinance. Give unto them true and hearty sorrow for past sins, power to confess the same unto Thee, grace to seek Thy mercy and forgiveness, and an earnest desire to walk before Thee in newness and holiness of life; and mercifully grant that we, with all those who shall come to Thy Holy Table, may be filled with Thy Spirit in the inner man; that drawing near with penitent hearts and lively faith, we may receive the Holy Sacrament to our present and everlasting comfort through Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

2.

O God, who art the fountain of all holiness, we beseech Thee for the help of Thy continual grace; that, partaking of this Thy Holy Table, as strangers and pilgrims here on earth, we may be advanced to partake of the heavenly feast in the general assembly of all Thy saints in the day of Thy kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

Amen.

3.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who in Thy last supper with Thy disciples didst ordain in the blessed Sacrament a perpetual memorial of Thy passion until Thy coming again; grant unto us, we beseech Thee, such discernment of Thy holy mysteries, that we may continually receive the full fruition of Thy redeeming love; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

Amen.

The Incarnation of our Lord.

1.

Most merciful God, who hast so loved the world as to give Thine only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life; vouchsafe unto us, we humbly pray Thee,