be taught by Thy Holy Spirit. Save me from vainglory and self-righteousness. May I be stirred to supply the needs of others by deeply feeling my own need of help and guidance; and grant, O Lord, that my intercourse with sinful souls, and the sight of the misery which sin has brought into the world, may ever make me cling closer to Thee, and be more truly thankful for Thy Gospel. Grant this, O Father, through Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for a Deaconess.

No. I.

LMIGHTY God, Who didst call Phoebe

And other holy women to help Thy Church,

and hast called me to a like ministration, I give Thee most humble thanks for the honour Thou

hast put upon me. Fill me with all Christian graces, that by my labour and good example I may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy Name, and the good of Thy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O Lord, Who hast laid upon me the duty of ministering to the poor, the sick, and the ignorant, and of helping the ministers of Thy Word and Sacraments, pardon my indolence, and neglect, and faultiness in the performance thereof, and enable me by Thy help to do it ever more and more diligently and lovingly. Forgive my imperfect obedience to those who have been over me in the Lord; help me to accomplish henceforward whatever service shall be appointed to me cheerfully, faithfully, and acceptably; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

No. 2.

ALMIGHTY God, I pray Thee to look upon me, to whom Thou hast intrusted divers duties in Thy Church. O grant me abundant supplies of Thy grace to strengthen my weakness, and to fit me for the exercise of so great an office. Suffer me not to lower it by lightness, or by want of zeal or diligence. Let no failing or infirmity of mine hinder Thy work, or put a stumblingblock in the way of others. Give me patience, and constancy, and resolution to endure all things for Thy sake, and especially in ministering to the poor, the sick, and the needy. And give me power to act consistently with my profession, and to lead a spotless and holy life. Make me to abound in Christian love towards my fellow-workers, and towards all men; and that, loving Thee above all things, I may love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

No. 3.

ETER, Creator both of man and woman,

ETERNAL God, Father of our Lord Jesus

Who didst replenish Miriam, and Deborah, and Anna, and Huldah with the Spirit, Who didst not disdain that Thine only-begotten Son should be born of a woman; cleanse me by the power of the Holy Ghost from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, that I may worthily accomplish the work committed to me, to the glory of Thy Name. Make me meet both for skill in womanly ministrations, and for godly life and conversation, to exercise this office. Help me diligently and lovingly to minister to the

poor, the sick, and the ignorant; and in all humility and godly submission to set aside all unwomanly usurpation of authority in the Church, and to help the ministers of Thy Word and Sacraments. Help me to be obedient to them who are over me in the Lord, and cheerfully and faithfully to perform the service that shall be appointed to me. Give me a steadfast purpose to grow more efficient in all parts of this office, and to continue in it perseveringly and bravely, unless manifestly called out of it by the unmistakable voice of Thy holy will. And make my calling to this place and dignity in Thy Church a means and help to my own eternal salvation and closest unity with Thee, both now and hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for Members of Religious
Communities.

No. I.

GOD, Who hast appointed divers ranks and orders amongst mankind, and hast made discipline and subordination to be necessary when we are banded together for Thy sake; give unto all of us grace to submit ourselves one to another in Thy fear. Grant that those who are in authority may govern and direct with courtesy and gentleness, and that those who are to obey may do so with cheerfulness and goodwill; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

No. 2.

LMIGHTY, everlasting God, I beseech
Thee to pour Thy continual blessing upon

this society, and upon every member thereof, both present and absent. Pardon and remove all coldness, divisions, and ill-temper.

Knit our hearts in gentleness, and forbearance, and brotherly love, after the example of Thy Saints. And grant that vital religion, industry, discipline, and abundant charity may here flourish and grow, to the glory of Thy Name, the comfort of Thy members, and the salvation of our own souls; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

No. 3.

We fully upon this society, and to give us

E beseech Thee, O Lord, to look merci

severally such a measure of Thy grace as may fit us for our respective duties. Make us respectful and obedient to our superiors, friendly to our equals, kind, and considerate, and attentive to our inferiors. Make us so to live according to Thy Word that our society may be a means of keeping alive and promoting the spirit of pious and active service in this Church; for Thy dear Son's sake. Amen.

No. 4.

LORD, I venture humbly to pray that a

Lotion Of Thy Spirit may be shed

forth upon the heads of all institutions in our Church. Give them such wisdom, and judgment, and discretion, that they may order all things prudently and successfully. Make them patient, laborious, and zealous, so that by their example we may be stirred up to more earnest devotion and self-denial. And especially I pray for Thy servant . . . under whom I now work

for Thee. Be with him in all his troubles, assist kim in all his difficulties, cheer him with a most comfortable assurance of our sympathy and goodwill. Fill his heart with love and hope, prosper all his designs, and enable me, O Lord, to support, and second, and help him to the best of my power, with all loving obedience and cheerful self-sacrifice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

as

No. 5.

LORD, I approach Thee with especial earnestness on behalf of my fellow-members in this community. I desire to ask for them that which shall seem good unto Thee most expedient for them, and do Thou supply all that I fail to ask. Give them earnestness and self-control, gravity and gentleness, prudence and discretion, modesty and humility, and unfeigned kindness to all. Give them forbearance, and self-denial, and brotherly love. Let them not seek to please men, but do all things as unto Thee. Give them grace to love Thee and Thy service, and Thy holy Word and Sacraments, above all earthly treasure; to watch continually unto prayer, and to glorify Thee by purity and holiness of body, soul, and spirit. Recompense them for their affection to me, especially. .. Strengthen them against their peculiar temptations. Be Thou their Protector and Defender, their Comfort in sorrow and disappointment, their Refuge in doubt and difficulty, their Support and Stay in all time of sickness, and in the hour of death. And be Thou, O Lord, their exceeding and eternal great Reward for evermore. Amen.