Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/243

 Give unto us that earnest desire for charity that our love to our neighhour may increase, and that it may be so sincere as to prove that we are Thy disciples, by having love towards each other. Instruct us by Thy truth, that we may delight ourselves in Thy law, and have respect unto Thy commandments, and observe all Thine ordinances, and do them.

O strengthen by Thy truth the things that remain and which are ready to perish. Assist us to keep in view the period of our nataral existence, and amidst all the conflicts, temptations, and trials to which we are exposed, let the angel of Thy presence go with us to defend us; and may the prospect of our glorious reward keep us stedfast to our duty, and stimulate us to a faithful performance of it. Lord, let Thy blessing descend upon all the families of the earth. Visit with Thy divine consolation the sons and daughters of affliction. Extend Thy healing hand to those who are diseased in body, and let Thy holy influence enter into and minister to the mind diseased. All these mercies we ask for Thine own name's sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, amidst all our backslidings Thou only art careful for us, and Thy gracious dispensations are ever exercised, that we may be brought to a proper sense of our danger while time is afforded us to repent of our evils.

O gracious Father, make us sensible, we beseech Thee, of all Thy loving-kindness. May the blessings of this day call forth our devout gratitude. May a reflection of Thy fatherly care render us more dutiful and obedient, and may the trials which have been permitted to assail us tend to alienate our affections from the world and purify our hearts from evil.

In our anxiety to receive from Thee the blessings of natural existence, may we never be unmindful of our fellow ercatures, of those who cannot, and of those who will not pray. While we enjoy health ond sanity, we would offer our humble supplications in behalf of those who labour under the grievous affliction of minds diseased. O gracious Father, mitigate, we beseech Thee, their heavy affliction, and restore them to a knowledge of themselves and of Thee, and be Thou the consoler of the afflicted; and unto all that are oppressed with disease let Thy healing hand be extended. Hear us. O Lord, for Thy name and mercy sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

E that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing thet is evil. We pray, O Lord, that the feelings of celestial love may be enkindled within us, so thet we may be as fruitful trees. May spiritual wisdom continue to increase, that our understandings may grow as the cedar in Lebanon. May all the good of charity be so fully developed in our souls as to fill every natural affection and desire with the charity which thinketh no evil. As the winged fowl fly in the midst of heaven, so may