Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/172

 majesty as  is  possible  for  a creature  in  this  life. Never withdraw  from  me  thy  Holy  Spirit,  the  guide of my  voyage  towards  that  eternal  home,  where  I shall  at  length  see  thee  face  to  face.

Restore unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation, and  strengthen me with  a perfect  spirit.

Restore to  me  that  joy  and  that  assistance  which thou grantest  to  the  faithful  soul,  who  feels  herself supported and  encompassed  in  all  her  ways  by  thy protection and  thy  presence,  and  strengthen  me  in thy  spirit.

I will teach  the  unjust  thy  ways: and  the  wicked  shall  be converted  to  thee.

Then will  I teach  sinners  the  admirable  ways  by which  thou  hast  triumphed  over  my  ingratitude,  and the example  of  thy  mercy  towards  me  will  encourage them to  have  recourse  to  thee,  notwithstanding  all their disorders  and  miseries,  and  thus  shall  the wicked be  converted  unto  thee.

''Deliver me  from  blood, O God,  thou  God  of  my  salvation; and  my  tongue  shall  extol  thy  justice. ''

If I am  guiltless  of  the  blood  of  my  fellow  men, there is  an  infinitely  more  precious  blood  which  has been shed  for  my  sins. It is,  therefore,  fitting  that I should pray;  deliver  me  from  blood,  O Lord; forgive me  those  offences  for  which  the  Author  of life  has  suffered  death,  and  my  tongue  shall  extol  thy mercy with  thy  justice.

Thou, O Lord, wilt  open  my  lips; and  my  mouth  shall declare  thy  praise.

O Lord ! of myself,  I cannot  utter  a good  word. I can neither  praise  thee  nor  excite  others  to  praise thee; when left  to  myself  nothing  moves  me; nothing touches  my  heart; do  thou  then  open  my