For Obedience in Subordinate Positions.

LORD God, I acknowledge Thy goodness and wisdom in appointing me to work for Thee in a subordinate position. I desire not to mind high things, but to give my full strength to little things, to the details of my daily duty. I come to Thee now, O Lord, for Thy merciful help in this, to do it well, and cheerfully, and gladly. Give me the special gift of helping the higher offices. Make me most punctually obedient to those whom Thou hast set over me; and while I endeavour to lighten their cares by ready sympathy, give me grace to be thankful that my responsibility is less weighty. Help me to serve Thee patiently and hopefully, as one of the less honourable members, so that abasing myself here, I may be exalted hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

S

For Temperance.

UFFER me not, O Lord, by any folly of mine to turn Thy bounty into unlawful indulgence; but give me the spirit of temperance and sobriety, that in eating or drinking my appetites may be satisfied, not gratified, and that my table be not a snare unto me; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Zeal.

LMIGHTY God, Who by Thy holy Apostle

Ahast taught us that it is good to be zealously

affected in a good thing, inspire me, I beseech Thee, with such a love of Thy truth, and such a zeal for Thy honour, that Thy service may

become perfect freedom, and the labour assigned to me by Thee may be my chosen rest. Give me boldness manfully to confess Thee before men, and to contend earnestly, when need arises, for the faith once delivered to the Saints. And let me not be daunted or dismayed by opposition or hostility, knowing that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Yet grant me withal, O blessed Lord, the spirit of Christian charity, that I may count no man as an enemy (except when he fights against Thee), but may speak the truth in love, and behave with meekness towards those that oppose themselves, lest I hinder Thy work by my sin, and forfeit Thy blessing: and this I beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

For Patience.

LORD Jesus Christ, God of patience and consolation, I desire humbly of Thee that I may possess my soul in patience. I know that I need it sadly in things great and small, in everyday wants (in the aching of sickness), (in the decay of age), (in the contempt of those who do not like me), (in hopelessness of efforts), (in ), and especially in every failure of self-control, in every repulse which I undergo in working out purposes of godliness. But I desire, O Lord, to keep the word of Thy patience, to think of Thee under all provocations and irritations. Thou knowest all my troubles and trials, be they ever so petty. Thou knowest every pang of my heart, every sharp word I have to endure, every disappointment in my work, every difficulty and delay which chills me; and I know that Thou lovest me. I beseech Thee to stretch forth Thy hand to save me when I totter, to raise me when

I fall, that my tribulation may work patience, and that every failure may be a step to bolder and wiser efforts. And when tribulation is working on me, then, I beseech Thee, strengthen me to endure all for the sake of Thy love, for the sake of approving myself as united to Thee, and to Thy consummate patience. Keep me then under the shadow of Thy long-suffering love; keep me still and motionless, that I offend Thee not by any impatience, that I may be content to work on in hope, only desiring to glorify Thee in running the race that is set before me. And this I ask through Thy merits. Amen.

For Sobriety and Chastity.

LORD, our heavenly Father, to Whom our inmost thoughts are known, and Who hast warned us that without holiness we shall never behold Thee; defend me, I beseech Thee, both in body and mind, from every taint and stain of fleshly sin. Set a watch before my eyes, and seal my ears, so that neither sight nor sound may enter in to pollute me. Oh, let Thy blessed Spirit descend upon me, and preserve me chaste and temperate, sober and spotless, clean and undefiled, that my body may be a holy temple, and my soul a sanctuary fit for Thee to dwell in. Kindle the holy fire of Thy love in my heart; cleanse me, and sanctify me, and make me wholly Thine, that I may glorify Thee in my body and in my spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Perseverance.

ETERNAL and unchangeable Lord God,
Who are the name yesterday, to-day, and

for ever; be pleased to communicate some small ray of that excellency, some degree of that stability, to me, Thy wretched creature, so light and inconstant, and turned about with every blast. Thou well knowest, O Lord, how my understanding is weak and easily deceived. Oh, establish it in Thy truth; keep me from the snares of seducing spirits, that I may not be led away into error. Thou well knowest, O Lord, how irresolute and wavering my will is. Oh, make it steadfast in following Thine! Keep me from the contagion of worldliness, that I may never be shaken from my duty to Thee. Lord, Thou seest my weakness, and the number and strength of my temptations. Oh, guide me and strengthen me in the struggle, that I be not faint-hearted, or double-minded, or lukewarm. But make me, I beseech Thee, resolute to do Thy will, steadfast, immovable, in the path Thou hast pointed out to me; that I may abound in Thy work, and patiently continue in Thy service; through the merits of my Saviour and Captain, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Mortification and Self-denial.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Whose

only-begotten Son was pleased to be made perfect through sufferings, and did command us, if we would come after Him, to deny ourselves, and take up the cross daily; mercifully grant unto Thy servant the spirit of mortification and self-denial, that being delivered from the bondage of corruption, I may obey Thee with a willing mind, and find delight in Thy commandments. Give me power over the desires and affections of the flesh, and grace to put from me the

love of earthly pleasure, ease, profit, and honour. Enable me to exercise a wise abstinence from things lawful, that I may not be brought under the power of creatures, and may have the strength to withstand when tempted. Accustom

me to prefer Thy ordering to my own choice, even as I am taught by the holy example of Thy dear Son; that having watched with Him the one hour of this mortal life, and being crucified with Him to sin, I may be raised to live again with Him in glory everlasting; for His sake. Amen.

For Contentment.

MAKE me contented, I most humbly pray

Thee, O God; contented with my outward circumstances, with my inward gifts; contented with all, save myself and my own unprofitable service. Give me such a sense of my own undeservings, of the merits of others, and above all of Thy most loving and accurate care for me, in guiding all the circumstances of my life to train me best for the place and office which Thou dost prepare for me hereafter, that I may cast all my care upon Thee, and cheerfully apply myself to show forth my thankfulness in my life. Keep me from restlessness and covetousness, that in quietness and confidence I may live out my life here, and not be ashamed on my deathbed of vain and foolish hankerings after change. Keep me from envy of others, and from the ingratitude of desiring more of this world's gifts than Thou hast in Thy wisdom entrusted to my responsibility; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.