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CLOSET

DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

For the Young;

FROM TEN YEARS OLD AND UPWARDS.

BY THE

REV. ALEXANDER FLETCHER, D.D.,

MINISTER OF FINSBURY CHAPEL, LONDON.

LONDON:

ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE AND CO.,

25, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1859.

135. d. 27.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS WORK Contains Services for the Morning and Evening of each day, to extend over a period of three months. Should the present volume meet with the approbation of pious parents, and the religious public, it will be followed by the publication of other three, containing Morning and Evening Services for the whole year.

Each Service consists,-1st. Of a selection of verses from the Sacred Scriptures; 2nd. A few verses of a Psalm, or Hymn; and, 3rd. A Prayer, enriched with the doctrines and promises of the Word of God.

Thus, at a period of life peculiarly important, the RISING RACE may have an opportunity of laying up those stores of divine gospel truth, which are so necessary, in future life, for the exercise of extemporary prayer.

The Author, for many years, has been most earnestly solicited to prepare a work of this description, which, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, may be attended, and followed, by benefits of incalculable value, and of permanent advantage,

Let it never be forgotten, that a spirit of grace and supplication, sent down from above, is the strength of families, the glory of the church, and the bulwark of nations..

The work entitled FAMILY DEVOTIONS, prepared by the same Author, has obtained in the British dominions, and in America, a circulation amounting to more than FIFTY EDITIONS, of one thousand each. It is hoped that the smiles of Heaven, which have accompanied the Work for the benefit of families, will also accompany this effort for the benefit of the rising race; then will be accomplished, to a great extent, that animating promise (Prov. viii. 17), "I love them that love me; and those that SEEK ME EARLY shall find me."

ENFIELD, NEAR LONDON,

LIST OF MISCELLANEOUS PRAYERS.

I.

FOR A MOTHER IN SICKNESS.

II.

FOR AN AFFLICTED FATHER.

III. FOR ONE'S SELF IN AFFLICTION.
IV. FOR AN AFFLICTED BROTHER.

V. FOR AN AFFLICTED SISTER.

VI. FOR A FRIEND IN THE ARTICLE OF DEATH. VII. AFTER PERSONAL RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. VIII. AFTER A MOTHER'S RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. IX. AFTER A FATHER'S RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS.

X. AFTER THE RECOVERY OF A SISTER FROM SICKNESS. XI. AFTER THE RECOVERY OF A BROTHER FROM SICKNESS. XII. ON LEAVING HOME AND GOING TO SCHOOL.

XIII. ON LEAVING SCHOOL AND ENGAGING IN SOME TEMPORAL

EMPLOYMENT.

XIV. BEFORE GOING A JOURNEY.

XV. BEFORE GOING A VOYAGE.

XVI. AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A VOYAGE.

XVII. AFTER THE DEATH OF A FATHER.

XVIII. AFTER THE DEATH OF A MOTHER.
XIX. AFTER THE DEATH OF A SISTER.
XX. AFTER THE DEATH OF A BROTHER.

TO THE RISING RACE.

BELOVED YOUNG FRIENDS, My design in writing this work is to furnish your youthful minds with materials for prayer. This ministers can do. But it is only the Holy Spirit who can teach you to pray. If an archangel were your instructor, he might tell you what to pray for; but he could not teach you to pray with the understanding, or with the heart, or in faith. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. May your minds be most deeply impressed with this truth; and may you often present the following petition to the Spirit of God:"Holy Spirit, teach me to pray!"

This work, if properly used, will never prevent extemporary prayer. It will rather prove an assistance, and, under God, an important guide, in furnishing the young with language and expressions in which to present, in the name of Christ, before the Throne of grace, their adorations, confessions, petitions, and thanksgivings. The Bible is a rich Treasury, stored with suitable matter for prayer, and clothed in language simple, appropriate, and sublime. As far as possible, the prayers in this volume are supplied with expressions taken from the Divine Treasury of the WORD OF GOD. Particularly observe that these Scripture expressions are distinguished by inverted commas, placed at the beginning and at the end of such quotations.

WHAT IS PRAYER?

To pray is to speak with God, who made the heavens, who created angels and men. What a privilege, what an honour, what a blessing!

FOUR THINGS IN PRAYER.

Prayer consists of Adoration, Confession, Petition, and Thanksgiving. When we adore God we acknowledge what God is, what he has done, and what he has promised. When a child says, in his prayer, with the heart, "O Lord, thou art merciful and gracious," he adores. When a child in prayer cays with the heart, " O Lord, iniquity, I must confess, prevails against me," he confesses. When he says with the heart in prayer, "Lord, save me; Lord, forgive me; Lord, sanctify me," he petitions. When he says with the heart in prayer, Lord, I thank thee for life, for health, but above all for Jesus, thine Unspeakable Gift," he presents thanksgiving to God.

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In conclusion, prayer must be presented in the name of Jesus, that is, pleading to be heard for what Jesus did and suffered for you.

"Holy Spirit, teach the rising race to pray. Amen.'

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