I. Prayer of Invocation. ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, being assembled to present to Thee our praises and our prayers, and to hear Thy word; we beseech Thee, that, according to the promises which Thou hast made to hear us when we call upon Thee in the name of Thy Son, it may please Thee to regard us in Thy mercy, and so to raise our thoughts and desires to Thyself, that we may this day render to Thee an acceptable service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Confession. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, Thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. O Lord our God, eternal and almighty Father, we acknowledge and confess before Thy holy majesty, that we are miserable sinners; born in iniquity, prone to evil; unable of ourselves to do that which is good; transgressing daily, and in many ways, Thy holy commandments, and by Thy just judgment deserving of condemna tion and death. But, O Lord, we are deeply grieved for having offended Thee. We condemn both ourselves and our sins with unfeigned penitence. We seek refuge in Thy mercy, and humbly entreat Thee to help us in our misery. Be pleased then, O most gracious God, Father of mercies, to have compassion on us, and for the sake of Jesus Christ Thy Son, to pardon all our sins. Grant unto us also, and increase in us from day to day, the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that acknowledging and bewailing more and more our iniquities, we may renounce them with all our hearts, and may bring forth the fruits of holiness and righteousness, which are well-pleasing in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. For Pardon and Peace. Blessed be Thy name, O Lord, that according to the comforting assurance of Thy grace promised in the Gospel, Thou dost forgive in heaven, the sins of all who truly repent, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are resolved to walk in newness of life. Grant, we beseech Thee, to all such here present the full assurance of pardon and reconciliation, and the peace which passeth all understanding; through Jesus Christ our Lord. D Supplications. Give ear, O Lord, unto our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Save us from any dangers that may beset us. Deliver us from our sins; preserve us from every wicked thought, from pride, impiety, hypocrisy, and everything that is contrary to Thy will. Direct us always by Thy grace, O merciful God, and lead us continually by Thy Spirit. Give us at all times good and holy thoughts, pure, gentle, and peaceable dispositions, an entire resignation to Thy providence, an ardent love to Thee, and a sincere charity towards all mankind. Wean our hearts from this vain world, and give us grace to have them always lifted up to heaven where our treasure is; so that watching and praying without ceasing, and living in temperance, righteousness, and piety, we may pass our days in peace, waiting for the glorious return of our Saviour; and that when He shall come to judge the world, we may appear before Thee without confusion, and without fear. Almighty God, our Father and Preserver, who of Thy goodness hast watched over us during the past night, and brought us to this day, strengthen and guard us by Thy Spirit, we beseech Thee, that we may spend it wholly in Thy service, seeking Thy glory, and the salvation of our fellow-men. And even as Thou sheddest now the beams of the sun upon the earth to give light unto our bodies, so do Thou illuminate our souls with the brightness of Thy Spirit, to guide us in the paths of holy obedience. Here may be introduced any other subject for O God hear us; reject not the supplications of Thy servants, but grant us the good things we have asked of Thee, and all others which are necessary for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with Thee the Father and the Holy Ghost, be the glory, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Here, and at the end of all the other Prayers, the Then are read the Lessons from the Old and New Testaments; and a portion of the Psalter may be read or " sung. Before reading the Lessons may be said: 'Hear, with reverence, the word of God, as it is written in the chapter of the Book of at the verse;" and at the end of the Lessons, "The Lord bless to us the reading of His Word, and to His name be the glory and praise. Amen." Then may be sung a Psalm or Hymn; after which the Minister says LET US PRAY. II. The Thanksgiving. LORD, open Thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. O God, Thy glory is great in all the Churches, and the praises of Thy name resound in the assemblies of Thy saints. We, Thy servants, would humble ourselves before Thee: we worship Thine infinite majesty; we celebrate Thy wisdom, power, and goodness, that shine forth in the works of creation and redemption, through Jesus Christ our Lord. We bless Thee for all temporal and spiritual good that we continually receive at Thy bountiful hands; but more especially, with all Thy people assembled this day, we praise Thee that thou didst send into the world Thy Son to save us; and having delivered Him for our offences, didst raise Him up again for our justification, and through His glorious resurrection hast given us the blessed hope of everlasting life. Here may be introduced any other subject for O Lord, may these our thanksgivings come up with acceptance before Thy throne. Make us worthy at the last day to have part in the |