That the world may be crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ a. us. And that the temptations of Satan may not overcome We pray that we may not enter into temptation b; or however, that no temptation may take us, but such as is common to men, and let the faithful God never suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but with the temptation make way for us to escape c. Put upon us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand; let our loins be girt about with truth, put on us the breastplate of righteousness, and let our feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Give us the shield of faith, wherewith we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and the helmet of salvation, and let the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, be always ready to us d. Enable us to resist the devile, as that he may fly from us; to resist him steadfast in the faith g. And the God of peace tread satan under our feet, and do it shortly h. 2. We must pray for grace to furnish us for every good thought, word and work; that we may not only be kept from sin, but may be in every thing as we should be, and do as we should do. Let Christ be made of God to us, not only righteousness, but wisdom, sanctification, and redemptioni. Let us be planted together in the likeness of Christ's death and resurrection, that as he was raised from the a Gal, vi. 14. b Matt. xxvi. 41. c 1 Cor. x. 13. g 1 Pet. v. 9. dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life a. (1.) That the work of grace may be wrought there where it is not yet begun. Lord, teach transgressors thy ways, and let sinners be converted unto theeb; and let the disobedient be turned to the wisdom of the just, and make ready a people prepared for the Lord c. Let those be quickened that are yet dead in trespasses and sins d; say unto them, Live; yea, say unto them, Live; and the time shall be a time of love e. Open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them who are sanctified g. By the blood of the covenant send forth the prisoners out of the pit, in which is no water, that we may turn to the strong holds as the prisoners of hope h. Let the word of God prevail to the pulling down of strong holds, and the casting down of the imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and let every thought be brought in obedience to Christi. 2. That where it is begun it may be carried on, and at length perfected, and the foundation that is well laid may be happily built upon. Fulfil in us all the good pleasure of thy goodness, and the work of faith with powerk. Let the God that has begun a good work in us, perform it unto the day of Christl. Perfect, O God, that which concerns us: thy mercy, a Rom. vi. 4. d Eph. ii. 1. h Zech. ix. 11, 12, / Phil. i. 6. b Psal. li. 13. e Ezek. xvi. 5, 8. c Luke i. 17. g Acts xxvi. 18. k 2 Thess, i. 11, O Lord endures for ever; forsake not the work of thine own hands a. Lord, let thy grace be sufficient for us, and let thy strength be made perfect in weakness, that where we are weak, there we may be strong b, strong in the Lord,` and the power of his might c. More particularly we must pray for grace, 1. To teach and instruct us, and to make us knowing and intelligent in the things of God. Give us so to cry after knowledge, and to lift up our voice for understanding, to seek for it as silver, and to search for it as for hid treasure, that we may understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God d. Give us all to know thee, from the least even to the greateste, and to follow on to know thee g and so to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, as may be life eternal to us h. Give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and may experience what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty poweri. Open thou our eyes, that we may see the wondrous things of thy law and gospelk. Give us to know the certainty of those things wherein we have been instructed; and let our knowledge grow up to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, even of the Father and of Christ. Deal with thy servants according to thy mercy, and a Psal, exxxviii. 8. b 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10. c Eph. vi. 10. teach us thy statutes; we are thy servants, give us understanding that we may know thy testimonies. Let our cry come before thee, O Lord; give us understanding, according to thy word a, that good understanding which they have that do thy commandments, whose praise endureth for ever b. 2. To lead us into, and keep us in the way of truth; and if in any thing we be in an error, to rectify our mistake. Let the Spirit of truth guide us into all truth c, and cause us to understand wherein we have erred d. That which we see not, teach thou us e, and enable us to prove all things, as to hold fast that which is good g. Lord grant that we may not be as children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Christ in all things, who is the head h. Lord, give us so to do thy will, as that we may know of the doctrine whether it be of Godi; and so to know the truth, as that the truth may make us free, may make us free indeed k. Enable us, we pray thee, to hold fast the form of sound words, which we have heard in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus l, and to continue in the things which we have learned and been assured ofm. 3. To help our memories, that the truths of God may be ready to us, whenever we have occasion to use them. Lord, let thy Spirit teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever thou hast said unto usn; that the word of Christ may dwell richly in us in all wisdom and spiritual understanding o. a Psal. cxix. 124, 125, 169. c John xvi. 13. n John xiv. 26. d Job vi. 24. b Psal. Ixi. 10. Lord, grant that we may give a more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slipa, and may keep in memory what hath been preached to us, and may not believe in vain. Lord, make us ready and mighty in the scriptures b, that we may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works c, and being well instructed into the kingdom of heaven, may, as a good householder, bring out of our treasure things new and old. 4. To direct our consciences, to show us the way of our duty, and to make us wise, knowing, judicious Christians. Lord, give us a wise and an understanding heart d, that wisdom which in all cases is profitable to directe; that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way g. This we pray, that our love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that we may discern things that differ, and may approve things that are excellent; that we may be sincere, and without offence unto the day of Christ, and may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God h. O that we may be filled with the knowledge of thy will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that we may walk worthy of God unto all-pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Godi. Teach us thy way, O God, and lead us in a plain path, because of our observers k. When we know not what to do, our eyes are up unto theel: then let us hear the Lord behind us, saying, a Heb. ii. 1. b Acts xviii. 29. e 2 Tim. iii. 17. |