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Directions for Prayer.

daily let the fruits of righteousness appear more abundantly in me, which are through thee, my Lord and Saviour, to the praise and glory of God. [Thou knowest my wants and my barrenness, how weak and feeble are my graces, how cold my love, how doubting my faith, how lukewarm my zeal, how negligent my fear, and how imperfect all. Lord, strengthen me with might in the inner man, fashion my soul after thine own blessed image, and daily out of thy fulness give me to partake of the abundance of thy grace.]

Here follow petitions for particular graces. First, FOR FAITH. 1. Under the Accusations of Guilt. 2. Under the Workings of Corruptions. 3. Under Temptations. 4. Under Afflictions. As you most need to exercise it under either of these views, you will find here assistance.

I. A PRAYER FOR FAITH.

1. Under a Sense of Guilt.

O most merciful and gracious God, strengthen my faith in thy promises, that I may, without all doubt, cast my care upon thee, assured that thou carest for me. The remembrance of my past sins is grievous, [particularly, and my heart sometimes is ready to fail.] Lord, enable me to believe that thou dost in Jesus abundantly pardon. May I see more of his all-sufficiency, that fear may be cast out, and that I may rejoice in the assurance that thou hast received me, and cast all my sins behind thy back. Yes, Lord and Saviour,

Directions for Prayer.

dare not dishonour thee more than I have already done by distrusting thee. I know thou art able to save to the utmost; thy blood can atone for all; I believe, help thou mine unbelief.

2. Under the Workings of Corruption.

I am oppressed with corruption; a body of sin and death compasses me round about. [Deep alleth unto deep, and I am ready to say I am cast ut of thy sight; particularly-, against which I ave strove and prayed, and over which I have hourned, returns with new violence, and brings me almost to despair.] See, Saviour, my helpess soul at thy feet! Oh raise me up, support me, enable me to lay hold of thy strength, and to trust, that I may not be confounded! Oh give me faith, that I may overcome! Lord, I know it is my unbelief which makes my bondage; break thou the chain, and set my soul at liberty.

3. Under Temptations.

Temptations beset me sore; they thrust at me, that I should fall; but in thee is my help. [Thou seest, Lord, how my path is compassed about; and how, through the violence of the attack, the corruption of my own vile heart, and my unbelief, iniquity prevails against me.] [*It did so at such

* I mention here the prevalence of temptation, because I fear there are few real Christians who have not cause to lament their falls, as well as to ask strength to keep them from, falling. Spreading out temptations openly before the Lord, and expressly mentioning the circumstances of them, is of especial use to the tempted.

Directions for Prayer.

a time-, in such a place, in such company—, under such circumstances—; and though, Lord, from the bottom of my soul thou knowest it is my burden, yet how shall I stand !] Let thine everlasting arms be under me, lift up these hands which hang down, let my eye be fixed on thee, strengthen me, fulfil thy promises, confirm my heart to trust that thou wilt support me under my temptations, or make a way for me to escape from them.

4. Under afflictions.

My worldly trials are heavy! [I am afflicted in my person by-, sickness in my family, injuries from others, loss or reproach-, unkindness from those who are so near and dear-, disappointments, &c.] Lord, thou canst make them work together for my good! May my heart stand fast in thee! Enable me to believe thy kind intentions towards me, that I may not only submit with patience, but rejoice in hope.

II. A PRAYER FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

Enlarge my affections towards thee, O thou chief of ten thousand, and altogether lovely! What hast thou done to engage my heart! ungrateful as I have been; may I be so no more! May my soul be inflamed with love unfeigned towards thee; beholding thy love, may it kindle mine; and daily as I receive fresh instances of it

* Particulars must be mentioned.

Directions for Prayer.

from thee, may my returns of gratitude be more abundant. [Open my eyes to see more and more the love wherewith thou hast loved me; make me to know more of its height, and length, and breadth, and depth: make me to see more of my own baseness and vileness, that thy dealings with me may more abundantly impress and constrain my heart.] Oh that I might love thee with a perfect heart! Lord, may I be increasing in love, till seeing thee as thou art, I shall love thee as I ought.

III. A PRAYER FOR FEAR.

Lord, put thy fear into my soul; be thou ever sanctified in me; let me ever tremble before and dread to offend thee. May the sense of thy omniscience and nearness ever overawe my soul; when sin would tempt, may I remember that thou art present; may my fear be as my love, filial; may thy displeasure be more grievous to me than the punishment; and may I hate to offend thee, because thou art my good and gracious Father, more than because thou art withal the just and righteous Judge!

IV. A PRAYER FOR CHARITY.

God of all mercy! whose nature and name is love, and who hast taught, in amazing manifestations of it in thy Son, what are thy regards towards the children of men, teach me to love others, as thou hast loved me. Oh give me bowels of mercies, kindness, gentleness, meekness! Alas! for this selfish heart of mine! it is so ready to kindle under provocation, to resent unkindness, and to

Directions for Prayer.

be unfeeling towards others' weakness and wants. [Such a person particularly my vile heart is ready to dislike, &c. *Lord, take this uncharitable spirit from me.] Enable me to forgive, as thou for Christ's sake hast forgiven me. [May my censures all fall upon myself, where they are most due, that I may have none to cast on others.] Incline my heart to excuse the faults of others, to think no evil, and to hope all things favourable for them. According to the ability thou hast given me, may I readily communicate thy gifts according to the necessities of my brethren. [Make my heart more tender to them, and sympathizing with their distresses, whether of body or soul +.] May their sins grieve me more deeply, and call forth my prayers and my tears over them! Lord, give them repentance who know thee not, [particularly- who are so near and dear to me.] [May I not suffer sin upon them unrebuked; and may my conduct as well as my conversation be reproving and exemplary !] Give me a mouth to comfort the afflicted. May whatever talents thou hast lent me of knowledge or utterance, be employed, so as may be most subservient to the good of men's souls, and particularly of those with whom I am more immediately concerned! May my hand be § opened to relieve the indigent according to my

*Nothing serves more effectually to subdue our resentment against any particular person, than praying for them by name. + Men's souls are the greatest objects of charity.

Unconverted friends and relations should never be forgotten by us.

§ Though alms-giving be but a branch of charity, we must see that we abound in the exercise of it, if we are indeed in the

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