Thee in baptism; and when, through our own wilfulness and negligence, we have failed in fulfilling the baptismal vow which was upon us, Thou in thy mercy hast not forsaken us, but hast graciously invited us to repentance. O righteous Lord, who hatest iniquity, we confess that we have done the things which Thou forbiddest, and left undone the things which Thou commandest. In thought, word, and deed, we have trangressed against Thee. O pardon our sins for Jesus Christ's sake. Look upon us in thy Son, our blessed Savior, and for the merit of his sufferings blot out our transgressions and receive us into thy favor. For his sake also, renew and purify our hearts that we may become new creatures in Christ Jesus, utterly forsaking every evil way, and living in a constant course of obedience to thy commandments. We are not able of ourselves so much as to think a good thought; we therefore beseech Thee, by thy spirit, to work in us both to will and to do according to thy good pleasure. Enlighten our minds that we may know Thee, and let us not be barren nor unfruitful in that knowledge. May we be thankful for thy mercies, humble under thy corrections, and devoted to thy service. Put into our hearts a true faith, a purifying hope, and an unfeigned charity; and let no christian grace be wanting in us. Give us meekness, humility, and contentedness of mind. in our duty, watchful against all temptation, and temperate in our most lawful enjoyments. Grant unto us grace Make us diligent to perform all parts of justice, yielding unto every man, whatsoever, by any kind of right, becomes his due; and put also into our hearts such mercy and compassion that we may be ever ready to do acts of charity both to our friends and enemies, according to the commandment and example of our blessed Savior. O Lord sanctify us throughout, that our whole spirits and souls and bodies may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Give us O Thou whose mercy is over all thy works, we beseech Thee to have pity upon all men. Look with thy tenderest compassion upon our country and our churches. all grace to repent of those sins which have provoked thy judgments. Bless all in authority over us. So rule their hearts and strengthen their hands that they may want neither will nor power to punish wickedness and vice, and to maintain thy true religion. Have pity on all who are in affliction; be a father to the fatherless, and plead the cause of the widow. Comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, heal the sick, relieve the needy, defend the oppressed, and be gracious to all according to their several necessities. Let thy special blessing rest upon those who are near and dear to us, and grant them whatsoever Thou seest necessary either to their bodies or their souls. Reward such as have been good to us, and pardon those who have done or wished us evil, and make us all acceptable in thy sight through Jesus Christ. O Lord, pardon the wanderings and coldness of these petitions, and deal with us not according to our prayers or deserts, but according to our needs and thine own rich mercies in Jesus Christ, in whose blessed name and words we conclude these our imperfect prayers. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; hy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those 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. 26* FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD. AI MIGHTY and most merciful Father, we give Thee humble thanks for the light of thy gospel. Make us more grateful for this thy mercy, and more zealous for the salvation of all mankind. Look with pity on every Christian land. Take away all darkness and superstition and worldliness of spirit from the Christian churches, that they may arise and shine, and show that their light is come, and the glory of the Lord risen upon them, O Lord bless thy servants who are labouring among the heathen! The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few. O Thou Lord of the harvest, send forth labourers into thy harvest! Raise up, we beseech Thee, in greater numbers, humble, self-denying, and holy men. Fill their hearts with love to Thee and to the souls of the heathen. Let them have this grace given unto them, that they may preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ! Make them diligent and skilful in learning the languages of the heathen. Let them be active, devout, and dead to the world. Guard them from sickness and pain. Keep them from the snares of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Deliver them from all evil. Comfort their hearts, strengthen their hands, and make them wise to win souls; and give unto all around them ears to hear and hearts to understand! Take away blindness from the Jews. Let them receive Thee, O Jesus, as their Messiah, and proclaim thy saving name among the Gentiles ! Deliver all Mahomedans from the delusions of the false Prophet. O Thou True Prophet of thy church, enlighten them by thy Holy Spirit, and bow them down at the foot of thy cross. Pity blind idolators who are kept in cruel bondage by the good of this world. Turn them from idols that they may serve the living and true God! Bring al. the heathen throughout the world from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God! O let the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ! Bless all the children in the schools among the heathen; and make many of them, when they grow up, to become wise and faithful preachers of the gospel to their own countrymen! Bless all who labour in every nation to make known thy holy word in the languages of the people; yea, so bless them, that every man may soon read in his own tongue wherein he was born, the wonderful works of God! Unite as one man all who are truly labouring for Thee. Let all Christian Societies live in harmony and love. Give them wisdom in all their plans, and grace to choose fit persons to serve Thee among the heathen; and cause all missionaries to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! Disappoint the designs of Satan. Make perfect thy strength, Almighty Saviour, in the weakness of thy servants! O Thou, who by the right hand of God art exalted, and hast received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, shed forth his light and grace on this dark world! Thou hast ascended on high-Thou hast led captivity captive-Thou hast received gifts for men-yea, even for the rebellious. 0 pour down those gifts on all thy servants, that the Lord God dwell may among them! Cause all Christians, we beseech Thee, to sow bountifully, that they may reap also bountifully. O Thou that lovest a cheerful giver, let all grace abound toward them, that they may minister liberally of their substance to the making known of thy name! Pour out on all Christian ministers and people a spirit of grace and supplication; and enable them to plead in faith the glorious promises of thy holy word! With these our humble prayers, we join our praises and thanksgivings for what Thou hast done, in making thy saving health known to the perishing heathen. Perfect thy work, O Lord, con cerning them Thou hast said that from the rising to the setting of the sun thy name shall be great among the Gentiles; and that in every place incense shall be offered to thy name and a pure offering. Thou hast said that all the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. And Thou hast commanded us to give Thee no rest, till Thou establish, and till Thou make thy Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Hear us then O God of our salvation and let us meet in heaven with multitudes from the East, and West, and North, and South, who shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of our Father! We ask these mercies for the glory of thy name, through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and would ascribe to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all honour and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. |
