Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/587

 merit to  behold,  with  him  and  all  the  angelic  host,  the  glory of Thy  countenance  in  the  heavenly  country. Who livest and reignest,  world  without  end. Amen.

MOST faithful  companion,  appointed  by  God  to  be my  guardian,  my  protector,  and  defender,  and  who never leavest  my  side;  how  shall  I  thank  thee  for  thy  faithfulness and  love,  and  for  all  the  benefits  which  thou  hast conferred upon  me? Thou watchest  over  me  while  I  sleep; thou comfortest  me  when  I  am  sad;  thou  liftest  me  up  when I am  down;  thou  avertest  the  dangers  that  threaten  me; thou warnest  me  of  those  that  are  to  come;  thou  withdrawest me from  sin,  and  excitest  me  to  good,  thou  exhortest  me  to penance  when  I  fall,  and  reconcilest  me  to  God. Long ago should I  have  been  thrust  down  into  hell,  unless  by  thy prayers thou  hadst  turned  away  from  me  the  anger  of  God. Leave me  not,  nor  forsake  me  ever,  I  beseech  thee;  but  still comfort me  in  adversity,  restrain  me  in  prosperity,  defend me in  danger,  assist  me  in  temptations,  lest  at  any  time  I fall  beneath  them. Offer up  in  the  sight  of  the  divine Majesty my  prayers  and all  my  works  of  piety,  and  make me to  persevere  in  grace  until  I  come  to  everlasting  life. Amen.

Ant. GOD hath  given  His  angels  charge  of  thee,  that they keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways. Amen.

O Lord,  open  Thou  my  lips,

And my  tongue  shall  declare  Thy  praise.

O God,  incline  unto  my  aid.

O Lord,  make  haste  to  help  me.

Glory be  to  the  Father,  etc. Alleluia.

LORD, permit  us  here  to  raise  our  voice. And waft  before  Thy  throne  our  feeble  praise, And thank  Thee  for  those  angels  whom  Thy  choice

Hath lent  our  weakness  to  direct  its  ways, And free  us  from  the  envious  foes  that  lurk To spoil  the  beauty  of  Thy  cherished  work.