Alas! O Lord, thou knowest that there have been secret faults in our hearts, which have been but imperfectly known even to ourselves, but which have made us to err from the way of thy commandments, and have caused thee to lift up the rod of thine anger against us. O Lord, correct us, but not in anger; chastise us, but not in hot displeasure. Let not thy wrath burn against us; for who, O Lord, could stand if thou shouldst arise in judgment? and what are we, frail and sinful creatures, that we should presume to think that we have been able to compensate for the evil that we have done? And blessed, O Lord, be thy name, that thou dost correct thy creatures in mercy; for thou, who chastisest us, dost also pour oil and balm into our wounds; and while thou takest away some of our comforts, thou art graciously pleased to compensate for these privations, by giving us other blessings which we did not expect; or by opening our hearts to sources of enjoyment, of which we were before unconscious. O Lord, enable us to appreciate, as we ought, these thy loving-kindnesses; let us never grieve as those who have no hope; but while we are humbled for our sins, may we also be thankful amidst our chastisements; and may the losses and sorrows we have sustained make us more anxious to use aright the good things that yet remain to us. Grant us, we beseech thee, humble, but not despairing hearts. Forbid, that in our grief we should venture to murmur at thy dispensations; but rather may we direct our eyes with greater earnestness to the evil of our hearts, and be more determined to make our future lives, by thy grace, a sacrifice of obedience to thy will. in Forbid, O heavenly Father, that we should fail to recognise the operation of thy providential hand any of the events that befall us. May we, on the contrary, live every day and moment of our lives with a deep impression of thy constant superintendence of all the events of life; and whether prosperity or affliction be ordained for us, may we be at all times disposed to bow with thankfulness and with resignation to thy holy will. Make us more attentive, than we have ever formerly been, to the duties of piety. May thy Sab baths be our delight, as a rest from the cares of this life, and an earnest of that eternal calm which awaits the just in the life that is to come. May thy blessed word be our comfort and support in this the house of our pilgrimage. By its promises and consolations, may we be animated and strengthened; and may our faith, in all that thou hast spoken in it, be daily increased. Grant that we may every day become more earnest and more regular in secret prayer, committing all our ways to thy disposal, and relying with assured confidence on thy fatherly protection. Unite us more and more in love with each other. Calm all angry and hasty passions within us; and may it be our constant study so to conduct ourselves to each other, that when we are called hence, we may have only peaceful recollections of that which is past, and the assured hope of a happy meeting, where all sin and sorrow shall have passed away. Help us to be charitable and forgiving to all men ; disposed to judge favourably of all actions and motives; and willing to extend a ready forgiveness to those who have done us wrong. In all things may we take the example of our blessed Lord as our model; and, remembering that he also suffered while he dwelt among us, may we commit all our ways in well-doing, and in patient endurance, to his merciful guidance. us. Forgive, O Lord, we beseech thee, any repining thoughts that may have mingled with our endurance of this sorrow with which thou hast seen fit to try Grant us thy good spirit to make all things work together for our good; and when the days of our suffering are expired, may we come from the furnace like gold that is refined, and be prepared for a purer service in all the days that may yet be permitted us in this world. Above all, grant, O Lord, that this present trial may be the means of preparing us for thy heavenly kingdom. May tribulation work patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and may our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding, even an eternal weight of glory. Hear, O heavenly Father, these our humble prayers, which we present unto thee in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom thou art al |