that I may not be overcome by it and deliver me from evil of every kind; especially the evil of sin and pain. 1. For thine is the kingdom, ["The Lord God omnipotent reigneth :" (Rev. xix. 6.) May I be a most grateful subject of his kingdom here, and be daily preparing for a residence in it hereafter; "having a good hope "through grace." (2 Thess. ii. 16.)] Thine is the power. [May I trust in this power to supply all my wants, (spiritual and temporal) so far as may finally be best for me; and may I be supported by it in life and in death.] Thine is the glory for ever and ever. [The glory of creation, providence, redemption, and of all thine attributes. May it be my constant endeavour to magnify thee in all these respects; and to cause others to do likewise; and do thou, O Lord, bless all such endeavours!] Amen. [So may it be! I most sincerely and earnestly desire, that thou, O my God, mayest be glori fied; and that my petitions for the welfare of myself and my fellow-creatures, may be heard and accepted, through the mediation of Jesus Christ. May I therefore rise from my knees comforted, and rejoicing in hope.] N. B. It will be very proper and beneficial to finish our devotions with these important words of the Apostle (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) as they contain a summary of all the inestimable blessings which we have been imploring; and of all which constitutes the happiness of a Christian. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communication of the Holy Spirit be with me (and with all, whom it is my duty to remember in my prayers) this day, [or night] and for ever more, Amen. How reviving the consideration, that sinners may approach the throne of grace in the name of Christ, hoping for mercy! How animating the thought, that "Christ is the same, "yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" (Heb. xiii. 8.) and that his power and grace are the same to me, as they were to my forefathers, and will be the same to my children: for, as it was in the begining, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. An evening Prayer which may be used by the sick, or others. Thanksgiving. O Lord, our heavenly father, I a polluted miserable sinner, bow down before thy sovereign majesty to bless thy holy name, and to thank thee for all thy mercies; particularly for having preserved me this day from those dangers, to which the weakness of human nature is liable; and for not having dealt with me according to my deserts. Confession and petition for pardon.] Most merciful God, pardon, I beseech thee, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, all the sins, which I have committed this day, or at any other time before; and enable me to believe in him to the salvation of my soul, For Assistance.] Grant me the aid of thy Holy Spirit, that for the time to come I may not offend thee, as I have done, but may walk before thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. For Rest and Protection.] Protect me during this night, give me such moderate rest, as may refresh my frail and wearied body. When I lie down may I have a comfortable sense of thy peace in my conscience: enable me to commit myself, and all that I am and have, into the hands of thy gracious providence; "and may I cast all my care upon thee, believing that thou carest for me. (1 Pet. v. 7.) For an easy and happy Death.] Above all do thou fit and prepare me for my last great change; and remove from me the slavish fear of it. Whenever death shall come, may I be found watching; and may I know, and rejoice, that his sting is taken out by Jesus Christ; that so I may meet him not as a king of terrors, but as a messenger of peace. For a favourable Hearing.] Hear, O Lord, hear me, and answer these my humble petitions for thy mercy's sake in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. In whose prevailing name and_expressive words I further call upon thee, Our Father, &c. See page 182. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. See page 185. A Prayer to be used by one who is sick, morning and evening. Adoration. O LORD God Almighty, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and all my powers of body and mind were produced, and are supported by thee." Thou woundest, and makest "whole." Confession and petition for Pardon.] I humbly own, and reverence thy hand in my present affliction. I acknowledge that thou art righteous in all that befals me, for I have sinned, and thou chastenest me less than mine iniquities deserve. In punishment thou shewest mercy, continuest to me many comforts, and givest me hope of that pardon, which I so much want, and at this time. earnestly implore. Petition for Improvement in sickness.] I desire to search and try my ways, and turn unto the Lord with deep humility, sincere repentance, and a lively faith in the great Redeemer; and may the fruit of this, and every affliction be, to take away sin, and make my heart better. For the restoration of Health.] I beseech thee, O Lord, to direct me to means for the removal of my disorder, and for the establishment of my health, and render those means beneficial to me; that I may yet he capable of glorifying thee in my station, and relations, and, by further services for thee on earth, be fitter for immortality. For a right Temper of Mind.] Support me, gracious God, that "my soul may not be cast "down, and disquieted within me. Assist me to cherish penitent, believing, serious thoughts, and affections. Grant me such resignation to thy will, such patience, and meekness towards men as my divine master requireth, and as he himself manifested, whilst he was a sufferer on earth. May I learn from what I now feel, to pity all, who are sick, in pain, or otherwise afflicted, and do all in my power to assist and relieve them. For preparation for Death.] If by this affliction thou intendest to bring me down to the grave, prepare me by thy grace for my removal hence, and an entrance on the unseen, eternal state; and may all the sufferings of the present life be the means appointed to procure me a crown of glory; which is weighty, inconceivably valuable, and See 2 Cor. iv. 17. eternal. For the Morning. [I bless thee, O Lord, that thou art giving me another day. Grant me such measures of ease and comfort, that I may improve it diligently by conversing with thee, and my own heart, in meditation and prayer, and be capable of enjoying the blessings, which thou art pleased still to grant me.] For the Evening. [I thank thee, O Lord, for any degree of ease and comfort which I have this day enjoyed. Grant me this night such refreshing rest, that I may be better able to discharge thé duties and bear the burdens of another day, if thou shalt be pleased to add another day to my life. If my eyes should be kept waking, may my meditations on thee be comfortable and useful to me. Most gracious God, and heavenly Father, have compassion on what I now endure, my great weakness and frequent pain, and hear my imperfect petitions, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was once 66 a man of sorrow," and is still "touched with the feeling of our infirmities ;" to whom, as our merciful High Priest, be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord's Prayer scripturally illustrated. Our Father, (Isai. Ixiii. 16.) [By right of creation. Mal. ii. 10. By bountiful provision. Ps. cxlv. 16. By gracious adoption. Ephes. i. 5.] Which art in heaven, Isai. lxvi. 1. 1 Peter i. 4. Isai. vi. 1.] |