Page:The pastor in his closet.djvu/29

 O Lord, I could for hours pray Thee to give me the true spirit of prayer; I am so dull, so easily carried back to the world; so often dwelling upon worldly affairs, so grovelling in my thoughts; and when men think me devout, then oftentimes I most need that very thing which I am supposed to have.

Assist me, heavenly Father, for Thy dear Son’s sake, especially in the more solemn parts of my ministrations. Assist me, most merciful Saviour, especially when I administer Thy blessed Sacraments, those mysteries whereby we are new-born, or renewed in the spirit of our minds.

When I administer Holy Baptism may I do it with a devout will, with faith, with sincere prayers. Though my unworthiness or absence of mind hinders not the reception of grace, yet it were a thing most sinful, most hurtful to my own soul, if, while the Holy Ghost was descending, I was wandering afar off; if, while He were present, I were absent in spirit. Let me consider how many thoughtless god-parents in these times speak solemn words lightly, and so may I be moved to pray as though none beside myself were praying; make me to look upon all children dedicated to Thee as mine for Thy sake. If the prayers of their kindred be lacking at that time,