PRAYERS
ADAPTED TO
FOB WHICH PROVISION IS HOT MADE IN
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
ALEXANDER V.,GRISWOLD,
BISHOP OF THE EASTERN DIOCESE.
PHILADELPHIA: WILLIAM MARSHALL & CO.
PROVIDENCE: MARSHALL, BROWN & CO.
MDCCCXXXVI.
Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1835, by
W. MARSHALL & CO. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
~~
-,.-.
BOSTON:
SUreotyped by Shepard, Oliver & Co.
PREFACE.
FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to
set forth forms of prayer to be used on various
Occasions, it will not, it is hoped, be thought
improper, that the author of this little book
should offer it to the public. Should it be
thought that what renders this attempt war-
rantable makes it unnecessary, it should be
considered, that the Prayers which have been
published, though numerous, and many of them
excellent, are so limited in regard to the occa-
sions for which they are intended, that none of
them with which I am acquainted are adapted
to all the purposes for which these are design-
ed. Many of our people, of our clergy espe-
cially, have long felt the want of a manual con-
taining prayers suitable for all the occasions on
which they are needed, and for which our
church has not made particular and full provi-
sion. We have in print many excellent forms
of prayer for visiting the sick, and for family
worship for the latter especially ; and on this
subject we have no want of more. But on
other important occasions of frequent occur-
rence we have few ; and on some, for which
IV PREFACE.
provision is attempted in this publication, we
have none. It is from a sense of this need,
and of my duty as bishop of this diocese, and
from the often repeated request of several of
my brethren, and not from a confidence in my
ability, that I have thus attempted what I view
as a difficult and important work. Should it
please God, in his merciful goodness, to make
it instrumental of some good, or of inducing
some person of more piety and wisdom to give
us something better on a like plan, I shall have
cause of thankfulness.
To avoid interference with the labors of
others, and all unnecessary addition to the price
of this manual, the offices of the church are not
inserted in it. The Book of Common Prayer
is in the hands of the most or all of those who
will use this : the price of that is now very
low ; and can be obtained of any size or con-
venient form. This is not intended as a sub-
stitute for the Prayer Book, nor considered as
worthy to be bound in the same volume with
any parts of it ; but is, at the discretion of our
people, permitted to be used when the prayers
it contains are judged to be appropriate and
fitting. My object being not to make a book,
but to supply certain prayers that are truly
needed, I have been careful not to enlarge the
work nor increase its price by the addition of
any extraneous matter.
I have endeavored to set forth such as, in
my judgment, are most needed for use and edi-
fication. That better may be prepared I have
PREFACE.
no doubt : till such appear these may be used.
They are all designed for occasions of social
worship. In private devotions forms are less
needed ; and many of these may be used by
one person in his closet, changing the plural of
the pronoun into the singular number.
Though we have, in the Prayer Book, an
office for visiting the sick, it is generally allow-
ed that something more is wanted in the per-
formance of that important duty ; and many
prayers for this purpose have been published
and used : and it is hoped that what are here
published, with some additions for other occa-
sions, will meet with the like indulgence. It
will be seen that permission is given to use
these forms ; but no one is laid under any obli-,
gation to do it, who thinks that others are bet-
ter and more appropriate.
To seek honor for ourselves in praying, or
in compiling prayers, would be highly improper
and indeed sinful. In preparing these, I seek
not the praise of originality ; but gladly avail
myself of the labors of others. Next after the
Holy Scriptures, I have preferred the language
of the Book of Common Prayer, and in many
instances I have adopted the expressions of
other writers. If we have forms of sound
words, suitable for those who would unite in
God's holy worship, by whom the words were
first used is of very little importance, the in-
spired writings excepted.
With the following prayers, it is understood
that the Lord's Prayer, and any others con-
1*
Vi PREFACE.
tained in the Prayer Book, may be used, at the
discretion of the person who conducts the wor-
ship. They are offered to the public as helps
to devotion ; and any use of all, or a part or
parts of them, which will have that effect, will
be agreeable to what the author desires.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
WITH diffidence and after long delay, was
published a manual of prayers adapted to oc-
casions of social worship, for which provision
is not particularly and fully made in the Book
of Common Prayer. That such a work was
needed appears in the call for another edition ;
and, as it is not known that any other work on
a like plan will be given to the public, the au-
thor has endeavored, by corrections throughout,
and very considerable additions, to render this
more suitable for the purpose intended. It was,
and still is his humble hope, that such a publi-
cation may, through God's blessing, be instru-
mental in causing prayer to be offered, at times,
and on some occasions, when, without suitable
forms prepared, it would be neglected; and
also in obviating the necessity of extemporary
praying, which, in his opinion, is less suitable for
social worship.
The church has set forth forms for some oc-
casions of frequent occurrence and general
need ; but some even of those contained in the
Prayer Book are, as almost all allow, defective.
Such are those for families, for the sick, and
for funerals. In the service for funerals, we
V1H PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
have no prayer appointed to be used at the
house of mourning, or in the church. And
surely on no occasions do we more sensibly
feel the need, and fitness, and comfort of unit-
ing in earnest, appropriate prayer.
The author is aware, that in the opinion of
some few of our people, no other forms than
those contained in the Book of Common Prayer
are, for any occasions, needed. But very many
are fully convinced that we should dwell with
much earnestness in united prayer for things
and on subjects which are but very briefly, if
at all, noticed in our Liturgy. That such is the
view and intention of our church is evident
from her having provided forms for some par-
ticular occasions, and given directions for pro-
viding others, according as they are needed.
The two extremes of wholly rejecting prescript
forms, and the using of none but those which
the church has already set forth, are departures
from that middle course, by which, in this, as
in other things, her wisdom is evinced. In the
author's belief no one thing has tended more to
increase the prejudice against our Liturgy, than
the using of it on occasions to which it is not
adapted, and for which it was not designed.
It is with the earnest desire that family de-
votion may be more generally practised by our
people, that so great a number of forms for
family prayer is added in this edition.
For the accommodation of those who prefer
the Collects of the Prayer Book, a few of them
are inserted for the use of Sunday schools.
. .
-.-,
.
F jfe-- * "
iX PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
Many of the prayers contained in this book
may be with fitness used by individuals, in their
private devotion, by changing the first person
of the pronoun and the verb from the plural to
the singular number. That the Lord will bless
this humble effort to the promotion of his honor
and worship, and to the salvation of mankind,
is the prayer of
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
PART FIRST.
PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY AND OTHER SCHOOLS.
Introductory Remarks, 15
A Prayer that we may be thankful for God's blessings, and have
grace rightly to use them. 17
Another, for the use of a Sunday School, IS
A Prayer to be used by a Minister, or other suitable person, for a
Sunday School 19
A Prayer suitable to be used by Sunday School Teachers in the
School or in their other Meetings, 21
Another Prayer for the use of a Sunday School, .... 23
i 'ullects suitable for opening a Sunday School, .... 25
Collects suitable for closing a Sunday School, 26
A Prayer that may be used at the Closing of a Sunday School, . 27
Directions for a larger Form of Sunday School Devotions, . . 28
A Prayer that may oe used in and for any School, .... 29
A Prayer that may be used at the Opening of any School,^ . . 31
For the Closing of any School, 33
Prayers that may be used on any occasions of Catechising Children,
or in Sunday Schools, 34
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings of Bible Classes, . . 36
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings of Bible Societies or Asso-
ciations, 39
A Prayer that may be used in a Singing School, or a Meeting to
practise Psalmody, 41
PART SECOND.
PRAYERS FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES AND FOR OTHER OCCASIONS.
Introductory Remarks, 43
Morning Prayer, 44
Evening Prayer 46
Morning Prayer, . . 48
Evening Prayer, 50
A Prayer for Sunday Morning, 52
Xll CONTENTS.
Sunday Evening, 64
Monday Morning, 56
Monday Evening, 58
Tuesday Morning, 60
Tuesday Evening, 63
Wednesday Morning, 65
Wednesday Evening, 67
Thursday Morning, 70
Thursday Evening, 72
Friday Morning 74
Friday Evening, .... 76
Saturday Morning, 78
Saturday Evening, 80
SECOND WEEK. Sunday Morning, 83
Sunday Evening, 86
Monday Morning, . . . . 89
Monday Evening, 92
Tuesday Morning, 95
Tuesday Evening, 98
Wednesday Morning, 101
Wednesday Evening, 1 04
Thursday Morning, '. 107
Thursday Evening, 110
Friday Morning, . . . *. v " . ,'/..' > .' . .... 113
Friday Evening, 117
Saturday Morning, 120
Saturday Evening, 123
For Christmas Day " . . . 126
For Ash Wednesday or other Fast, 127
For Good Friday 123
For the Beginning or Close of a Year 129
For a Family under Afflictive Visitation, . 130
A Prayer for Persons newly married ; which, with very little alter-
ation, may be used by them, 131
A Prayer suitable to be used by Parishioners for their Minister. 133
A Prayer that may be used in Families, or by companies of Chris-
tians in Meetings for Prayer, and on other occasions, . . 1 36
Another, 139
Another, 1-42
Another, 145
For the Closing of a Religious Meeting, 147
The Lord's Prayer, Paraphrased, ISO
A Hymn to the God of Christians, .... ... 153
PART THIRD.
PRAYERS WHICH MAT BE USED IN MISSIONARY MEETINGS, AND ON
OTHER OCCASIONS.
A Prayer for the Church, 155
A Prayer for the Clergy, 156
A Prayer suitable for Associations, and other Meetings of the
Clergy, 158
CONTENTS.
( rayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting, . . . 161
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting, . . .166
A Prayer for the Success of Missionary Labors, . 171
A Prayer for Missionary Societies, and suitable to be used in their
Meetings, 173
Another for a Missionary Society, _ . _ . 174
Another Prayer suitable for Clerical or Missionary Associations, 176
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings on Charitable Occasions,
after a Sermon and Contribution, 179
Another, more general, 180
Another Prayer for the Meeting of a Charitable Society, . . 181
For Improvement in Sickness, 182-
For a Person in a Decline, 185
A Prayer for a Sick Person, when there appeareth but little or no
hope of recovery, 188
A Prayer for a Sick Person, when there is reason to hope that he is
convalescent, . 190
A Prayer for one who, from the nature of his_ sickness or other cause,
is not able to unite understandingly in it 193
A Prayer for a Sick Child, 195*
A Prayer that may be used with a Family and their Friends on a
Funeral Occasion, W
A Prayer that may be used at a Funeral, when there is not to be a
Service at the' Grave, 201
A Prayer for a Family in Affliction 204
A Prayer for a Prisoner, or Prisoners, under Sentence of Death, 206
A Prayer for Courts of Justice, 208
A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly, . ... 210
A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting, . 212
A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting, . . . . 215
A Form of Service that may be used at the laying of the Corner
Stone of a Church, 217
PART FOURTH.
OFFICES AND PRAYERS THAT MAY BE USED IN CHURCHES, OH IN PUB-
LIC WORSHIP.
A Form of Prayer allowed to be used on Days appointed by the Ci-
vil Authority as Public Fasts, 223
A Prayer to be used in Seasons of much Sickness, or Epidemic Dis-
eases, 223
A Thanksgiving for Deliverance from great Sickness and Mor-
tality, 230
An Office for the Burial of the Dead, allowed to be used when the
Corpse is carried into the Church, 231
Public Thanksgiving, 242
A Prayer that may be used on the Fourth Day of July, . 245
A Prayer that may be used on occasion of the Close" of a Year, or
the Commencement of a New Year 247
For a New Year 249
* See last page of Contents.
XIV CONTENTS.
Prayers that may be used at the Closing of a Convention, . 2fl
A Pray e* that may be used after an Evening Lecture, . . . 253
AnotLer which may be used after a Lecture, . 964
A general P"<*yer for Mariners and People at Sea, .... 255
A Thanksgiving for Escape from great Danger at Sea, . . 256
Prayers which may be used at Sea when the regular Public Service is
not performed.
A Prayer for God's Grace and Protection, that may be used daily, 268
Another, for a prosperous Voyage, and for Friends on Shore, . 260
A Prayer which may be used in Storms and other Dangers at Sea, 261
A Form of Thanksgiving at Sea for Escape from Danger, . 263
A general Prayer for the Sick, with Collects adapted to some parti-
cular Occasions, 264
PART FIRST.
PRAYERS FOR SUNDAY AND OTHER
SCHOOLS.
THE prayers used in Cunday schools should be
short, not only to give sufficient time for the other
exercises, and because such are best adapted to the
state and capacities of children and young people ;
but, chiefly, because the teachers and pupils attend
the long services of the church, morning and after-
noon, and unite in a great variety of prayers and
thanksgivings.
And for this last reason, it seems inexpedient to
take them from the Prayer Book : it is supposed
that the school have just united, or are about to
unite, with the whole congregation in the prayers
contained in that book ; and to repeat them is less
suitable than to have some short forms appropriate
to the occasion.
The prayers should also, in my judgment, be de-
signed for all the school teachers and scholars to
unite in. The minister or superintendent can pray
for the scholars in his closet. If he does it in the
school, it is his prayer rather than theirs : and
though hearing prayer is no doubt profitable, it is
more agreeable to the views of Episcopalians that
the prayers should be social ; that all present should
unite in praying. Yet some of the prayers which
follow are accommodated to the views of those who
may think differently.
16 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
The Lord's Prayer.
In some of the forms of prayer published for the
use of Sunday schools, it would seem, from the di-
rections given, that the minister and the children
are to perform the whole ; but surely the teachers
should always be supposed to bear a part, if not the
principal part in the worship. They generally feel
most interested; they can pray more understand-
ingly than the children ; and none can, more than
they, need the grace of God, and the wisdom which
is from above, to direct and sustain them in the
very important labor of love in which they are
charitably engaged. Among the prayers following
are some suitable for the teachers, when they desire
to unite in praying for those under their care.
When a clergyman visits and prays in a common
school, it is not generally expected that the scholars
will take a part in the worship ; it is his prayer for
the school.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 17
A Prayer that we may be thankful for God's blessings.
A Prayer that we may be thankful for God's blessings, and have grace
rightly to use them.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all who
need, the Giver of all spiritual grace, and the Au-
thor of everlasting life, with humble hearts and
sincere devotion, we implore thy favor and blessing
upon us, thy sinful creatures. Unable of ourselves
to help ourselves, unworthy to appear before thee,
and trusting not in our own righteousness, but in
thy mercy through Jesus Christ, we beseech thee,
for his sake, to pardon our sins, to sanctify our
hearts, and to hear our prayers. To thee alone be-
long mercy and forgiveness ; to thee alone it apper-
tains to forgive sins. Blot out, we beseech thee,
our manifold transgressions, and renew a right spirit
within us.
Great, O Lord, is thy goodness ; unnumbered are
the benefits which thou art daily bestowing on
mankind. We adore thee for thine infinite perfec-
tions ; we bless thy holy name, for thy unspeakable
goodness vouchsafed to our sinful race, and espe-
cially for the religious privileges which we enjoy.
We give thee thanks for the weekly return of thy
holy day^.for all the means of grace, and for the
hope of life immortal. We desire, O God, with
thankful hearts, to acknowledge thy goodness, in
causing the Holy Scriptures to be written for our
learning, and for giving us various means of know-
ledge and helps to religious improvement ; for the
establishment and increase of schools and semina-
ries of learning throughout our country ; and espe-
cially of those schools and associations, which have
for their object the instruction of children and of
others, in the knowledge of thy word, in the doc-
trines of Christ, and the duties of religion. We
2* B
18 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another, for the use of a Sunday School.
bless thee, O God, that many are willing, with pa-
tient diligence and pious zeal, to devote a part of
the Lord's day to the instructing of the rising gene-
ration in the rudiments of gospel truth ; beseeching
thee, O God, to increase their numbers, to enlarge
their hearts, to strengthen their hands, and reward
their labor of love. Give us hearts, O Lord, we
humbly beseech thee, to be duly thankful for these
thy mercies, and give us grace to use them to thy
glory, and to the promotion of our own and others'
salvation. May we remember the Lord's day, to
keep it holy; may it, by all thy people, be reli-
giously devoted to thy holy worship, and to teach-
ing, and learning, and practising the truth and pre-
cepts of the blessed gospel. And may thy truth be
so grafted inwardly in our hearts, as to establish us
in a right faith, and bring forth in us the fruit of
good living, to the honor and praise of thy holy
name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Another, for the use of a Sunday School.
O LORDJ our heavenly Father, almighty and
everlasting God, who hearest the prayers of those
who believe and trust in thee, look down, we be-
seech thee, with thy favor and blessing, upon us
thy servants, here assembled to teach thy truth and
to learn thy will. Give us grace to love thy law,
and thankfully, and with faithful diligence, to apply
our hearts to the teaching, and to the attainment
of whatever is most profitable for doctrine, for re-
proof, for correction, and for instruction in right-
eousness. Open our understandings, that we may
understand the Scriptures ; and give us grace, in an
honest and good heart, to receive that instruction
which will make us wise unto salvation. Preserve
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 19
A Prayer to be used by a Minister.
us, O merciful Lord, from all sinful vanities ! may
we love the things which thou commandest, and
desire, above all other things, them which thou
hast promised to those who love and fear thee. Do
thou, who alone canst rule the hearts of sinful men,
graft in ours such love of thy truth, that what is
our duty may be our chief delight. O, may those
of us present who are still in childhood or youth,
remember our Creator, and gladly devote our hearts
and lives to God who made us, and to him who
has redeemed us with his blood : and may we all
so number our days, and so truly consider the short-
ness and the uncertain continuance of this present
life, that we may gladly apply our hearts to thy
holy, heavenly wisdom : as we advance in age,
may we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
Him, who is the way, and the truth, and the life.
Give thy blessing, we beseech thee, to this school,
and to all and each of us who are present, whose
hearts and whose wants thou knowest. O give us
thy blessing, according as we need. Preserve us
from sin, awaken us to righteousness, and help us
daily to proceed in all virtue and godliness of liv-
ing; so that we may serve thee faithfully in this
world, and finally attain to everlasting life : which
we ask and hope, only through the merits of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer to be used by a Minister, or other suitable person, for a Sunday
School.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Father of our
spirits, and the Giver of every good thing, merci-
fully behold and bless this school, here assembled
in thy presence to teach and to learn the precepts
and truths of thy holy word, and the principles of
20 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer to he used by a Minister.
the doctrine of Christ. Without thee nothing is
holy, nothing is good : except the Lord build the
house, they labor in vain who build it. May thy
blessed Spirit direct and aid them in their humble
effoits to know and do thy will : may they receive
with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to
save their souls. Give thy heavenly benediction
to the teachers of this school, who make a free will
offering of their labor and care in this pious work.
Remember them, O Lord, for good. Give them
wisdom and patience and grace to persevere ; that
they may not be weary in well doing ; and may be
assured that in due time they shall reap if they
faint not. May these hours charitably devoted to
the benefit of others, be sanctified to their own
temporal good and eternal gain.
And wilt thou, O gracious God, open the tender
minds of these children and youth, that they may
understand thy word, and love thy law, and delight
to do thy will. Preserve them from the sinful vani-
ties which easily beset the youthful mind. Graft
in their hearts the love of righteousness and truth :
increase in their minds all holy affections, and nou-
rish their souls with the bread of eternal life : and
of thy great mercy keep them steadfast in the ways
of thy laws and in the works of thy command-
ments. May they be trained up in the way that
they should go, and never depart from it : may they
be so sanctified and renewed, that they may be
truly members of Christ, children of God, and heirs
of his heavenly kingdom.
Direct, O Lord, with thy heavenly wisdom, and
bless the care and watchful oversight of all parents,
masters, and guardians, in their endeavors to bring
up children in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. Grant, if it be consistent with thy unerring
wisdom, that the lives of these children and youth
may be prolonged upon the earth ; that they may
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 21
A Prayer suitable to be used by Sunday School Teachers.
fill and discharge, with honor to themselves and
usefulness to society, the several stations and duties
of life to which thou shalt - call them. And when
they shall have served thee in their generation, may
they be received into heavenly habitations, and en-
joy an endless Sabbath of happiness and rest from
sorrow, labor, and care. Hear us, O thou God of
mercy, hear and bless us all, for the sake of thy
Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen,
A Prayer suitable to be used by Sunday School Teachers in the School
or in their other Meetings.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, and
accept our humble supplications and prayers.
Trusting in the word and in the merits of our bles-
sed Savior, who has taught us to ask in his name
that we may receive ; to seek of thee our heavenly
Father for wisdom and grace, that we may know
and do thy will, we beseech thee to behold, with
thy favor and blessing, thy dependent, unworthy
creatures, who humbly desire, with penitence and
prayer, to bow before thee. Help us to know and
to do thy will : direct us in all our doings with thy
most gracious favor, and further us with thy con-
tinual help, that all our works and all our desires
may be to thy glory, and to the good of our fellow-
men. Help us especially to be useful in our gene-
ration, by imparting to children and youth the
knowledge of thy word and will, and directing
them in the way in which they should go. If such,
O Lord, be thy gracious will, make us instruments
of nourishing the tender mind with heavenly wis-
22 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable to be used by Sunday School Teacheis.
dom; of instructing the rising generation in the
paths of righteousness and truth ; of implanting in
the minds of those who are or shall be intrusted to
our guidance and care, the principles of the doc-
trine of Christ, and the duties of moral and reli-
gious life. Do thou, O God, who alone art suffi-
cient for these things, and whose strength is made
perfect in the weakness of thy servants, behold us
with compassion forgive our sins, and uphold us
with thy free spirit. Preserve us from every mo-
tive and desire which is not according to thy holy
will. Defend us from all error ; and help us rightly
and truly to understand the language 01 thy word,
the doctrines of Christ, and the duties of life. In-
spire our hearts with Christian love, and with a
holy desire to promote thy glory, and the salvation
of ourselves and others. Make us apt to teach.
May we not be weary in well doing ; but follow
the example of him, our blessed Lord, who express-
ed his love for children, and spent his life in doing
good.
And behold, O God, we beseech thee, with thy
favor and blessing, the children and youth of our
Sunday schools. Open their understandings and
dispose their minds to receive instruction, to delight
in the paths of wisdom, to love the things which
thou commandest, and desire those which thou dost
promise. Sanctify to them the instructions of their
teachers, and all our humble efforts to enlighten
their minds with true wisdom : incline their hearts
to virtue and godliness, and raise their affections
from the world to thee. Awaken in their minds,
we beseech thee, a just and lively sense of the vast
importance of early piety and religious knowledge.
Give them ears to hear, and hearts to' understand,
and wills to obey the things of thy law ; desiring
the sincere milk of thy word, that they may live
nnd grow thereby. Grant that they fall into m
GRISWOLD'S PRATERS. 23
Another Prayer for the use of a Sunday School.
sin, neither run into any danger of soul or body ;
but that all their doings, being ordered by thy go-
vernance, may be righteous in thy sight. Grant
that they may be useful in their generation, a com-
fort to their friends, a blessing to their country ; and
finally, that they may be inheritors of thy everlast-
ing kingdom. These things, and whatever else
thou shalt see fitting for us and for all men, we
humbly ask, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Another Prayer for the use of a Sunday School.
O GOD, who art the strength of all who put their
trust in thee, and the helper of all u-no flee to thee
for succor, mercifully accept our prayers ; and be-
cause, through the weakness of our mortal nature,
we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the
help of thy grace, that in keeping thy command-
ments we may please thee, both in will and deed*
Keep us under the protection of thy good provi-
dence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and
love of thy name. Increase and multiply upon us
thy mercy. Direct us in what we do by the sure
guidance of thy Holy Spirit : may all things in this
school be done decently, in order, and to edifying.
Grant to us, O Lord, the spirit to think and to do
always such things as are right; to love the ways
of thy laws, and the works of thy commandments,
and to be ready to every good work. Grant unto
us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running
the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy
gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy
heavenly treasure. Pour down upon us the abun-
dance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things,
wherein we have displeased thee, and giving us
those good things, which we are not worthy to ask,
24 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another Prayer for the use of a Sunday School.
but through the merits and mediation of Jesus
Christ, thy Son our Lord.
Thou hast taught us, O heavenly Father, by thy
holy apostle, that all our teaching, all our faith, and
all our doings, without charity are nothing worth :
give us, we beseech thee, that spirit which was in
our Savior Christ, that we may follow after that
charity which is the bond of peace, and love one
another, as thou hast given us commandment. May
we love others as we love ourselves, and do unto
all men as we would have them do unto us. And
wilt thou hear our intercessions, O God, for the
whole family of mankind'? Let the light of thy
gospel shine upon all the nations of the earth, and
grant that they who have received it may live -as
becomes it. Keep thy church and household in thy
true religion. Grant that all Christians may be so
joined together, in unity of spirit, and in the bond
of peace, that they may be a holy temple accepta-
ble unto thee. And especially, O Lord, to the con-
gregation of thy people, with whom we are accus-
tomed to assemble, give the abundance of thy grace;
that with one heart they may desire the prosperity
of thy holy apostolic church, and with one mouth
may profess the faith once delivered to the saints.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all the ministers
of thy gospel, of every grade, that they may, both
by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and
lively word, and rightly and duly administer the
holy ordinances of Christ's religion.
And to thee, the Father of mercies, we would add
our humble and hearty thanks for thy unnumbered
mercies bestowed upon thy sinful creatures, who
are unworthy of the least of thy favors. Chiefly
we adore thy goodness in the gift of thy Son to be
our Savior, and that thou hast called us to a know-
ledge of thy grace and faith in him. We bless thee
for all the means and opportunities of religious im
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 25
Collects suitable for opening a Sunday School.
provement which we enjoy. Though we are un-
worthy, through our manifold sins, to offer thee any
sacrifice of praise or prayer ; trusting in thy pro-
mise to give to those who ask in the name of Jesus
Christ, we beseech thee to accept our adorations
and praise. Behold with thy favor and blessing
the occasion of our present meeting before thee.
Guide and prosper our feeble efforts to teach and to
learn the ways of righteousness and truth. To
those who teach, give wisdom and patience and the
spirit of love. Open the* minds of those who are
taught, that they may receive instruction, and know
to refuse the evil and choose the good, and, like the
child Jesus, grow in wisdom, as they increase in
years, and in favor with God and man. Give thy
blessing to all those who have the care of educating
youth : may they so train them up in the way that
they should go, that afterward they may not depart
from it. Direct us, O Lord, in all we do, with thy
most gracious favor, and prosper us with thy con-
tinued help. Dispose our ways towards the attain-
ment of everlasting salvation, that among all the
changes and perils of this mortal life, we may ever
be defended by thy most gracious and ready help,
through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Collects suitable for opening a Sunday School.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hatest nothing
that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all
those who are penitent, create and make in us new
and contrite hearts, that we, truly lamenting our
sins and acknowledging our unworthiness, may ob-
tain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
3
26 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For closing a Sunday School.
and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O almighty God, who alone canst order the
unruly wills and affections of men, grant unto us
and to all thy people, that we may love the things
which thou commandest, and desire that which
thou dost promise, that so, among the sundry and
manifold changes of the world, our hearts may
surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be
found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Direct us, O Lord, in all we do, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and
words we humbly pray :
Our Father, who art, &c.
For closing the School.
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scrip-
tures to be written for our learning, grant that we
may in such wise hear them, and read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that by patience and
comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and
ever hold fast the blessed hopes of everlasting life,
which thou hast given us in our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that
what has now been read, and heard, and taught
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 27
A Prayer that may be used at the Closing of a Sunday School.
from thy holy word, and according to thy will, may,
through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our
hearts, that it may bring forth in us the fruit of
good living, to the honor and praise of thy name,
through Christ, our blessed Redeemer. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used at the Closing of a Sunday School.
ADORABLE and everliving God, through whose
merciful goodness we are again permitted to enjoy
the comforts and the privileges of thy holy day of
rest, give us hearts to be thankful for these and for
all thy favors. Grant that the truths of thy holy
word may be grafted inwardly in our hearts, and
bring forth in us the fruit of pure and undented re-
ligion. Accept the prayers which have been offered
before these, and pardon us wherein they have been
defective. May thy blessing be upon all the mem-
bers of this school, and upon all its exercises. May
the doctrines of the gospel be deeply impressed up-
on our minds, and be made the rule of our conduct.
Work in us that repentance for our sins past which
is not to be repented of, and that faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ which renews the heart, worketh by
love, and overcometh the world. Help us to love
thee with all our heart, and with all our soul, and
with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as we
love ourselves. Grant that what is taught us on the
Lord's day may be so blessed to the improvement
of our hearts, as to influence our life and practice
through the week and while we live. Strengthen
us by thy Spirit, and guide us in all things by thy
28 GRIS WOLD'S PRATERS.
Directions for a Larger Form of Sunday School Devotions.
heavenly wisdom, that we may do our duty in the
state of life to which it shall please thee to call us.
Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, may we
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world ; and when we shall have served thee in our
generation, may we be admitted into those man-
sions of peace and rest which thou hast prepared
for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ ; in whose
name we offer up these our imperfect prayers.
And to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only wise God, be honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen.
Directions for a Larger Form of Sunday School Devotions.
The person who conducts the worship may first address the school in
the following, or other words suitable to COM their attention to the sub-
ject of their dependence upon God, and the importance of asking in
prayer for his aid and benediction.
BELOVED brethren and youthful friends, through
the Lord's merciful goodness we are here assem-
bled, on his holy day, and in his presence, to give
and to receive instruction and knowledge, especially
instruction in God's word, and the knowledge of
our salvation in Jesus Christ. But we are not able
to know the Holy Scriptures, except God shall open
our hearts that we may truly understand them ; nor
can we keep his commandments, nor do any good
thing, without his grace assisting. We ought,
therefore, daily and at all times, to ask in prayer
for the direction and aid of his Holy Spirit, and
humbly and earnestly to call upon him for what we
need. Let us now, with humble minds and sincere
devotion, unite in beseeching him to behold us with
favor on the present occasion, to bestow his blessing
upon this school, and that he will direct and aid us
in all our endeavors to teach and know and do his
will.
GRISWOLD'S PLAYERS. 29
A Prayer that may be used in and for any School.
Then may be used any of the preceding Prayers, or a Selection of
Collects from the Prayer Book. Afterwards a suitable Psalm, or portion
of the Psalter, may be named and used; he who conducts the service
reading- one verse, and the rest who are present reading- alternately ; and
after the Psalm, the Christian Doxology. The service may end here ;
or there may be read for a lesson the portion of the Scriptures at that
time to be explained: and after the lesson, what follows :
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scrip-
tures to be written for our learning, grant that we
may in such wise hear them ; read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them ; that, by patience and
comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and
ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which thou hast given us in our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Then may be named and sung a Hymn or Psalm in metre ; and then :
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all, evermore. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used in and for any School.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, we beseech thee to pardon our
sins, to sanctify our hearts, and mercifully to assist
us in these our supplications and prayers. We
ador ( e thee as a holy and merciful God, whose right-
eous providence orders all things in heaven, and on
earth ; and from whom all holy desires, all good
counsels, and all just works do proceed. Without
thee nothing is strong, nothing is holy, nothing
good. Except the Lord build the house, they labor
in vain who build it; except the Lord keep the
city, the watchman waketh in vain. We beseech
thee to direct and bless us in what we do. Give
3*
30 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used in and for any School.
us wisdom to choose, and grace to perform, what-
ever is according to thy holy will. Preserve us
from every sin, protect us in every danger, and
grant that all our doings, being ordered by thy go-
vernance, may be righteous in thy sight. Dispose
all our ways towards the attainment of immortal
life ; that, amidst the manifold perils of our earthly
pilgrimage, our conversation may be in heaven.
Make us sensible, O blessed Lord, of thy great
goodness, and thankful for all thy mercies. We
render thee humble and hearty thanks for blessings
daily bestowed upon us, and upon all men, tempo-
ral and spiritual. We bless thee especially for the
means of knowledge and mutual improvement so
bountifully bestowed on this our favored country.
And we humbly ask for thy blessing upon all our
schools and seminaries of learning. Give wisdom
and patience to those who teach, and a meek and
teachable disposition to all who learn. Defend
them from pride and a vain confidence in them-
selves, and incline their hearts to such things as
are truly profitable. May we never forget that the
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and
that the most important knowledge is, to know thee
the only true God, and ourselves as unworthy sin-
ners, and Jesus Christ as the only Savior. Give
thy blessing, O Lord, to this school and to all who
are engaged in its instruction and concerned in its
support. May the children and youth who are
here present be partakers of thy heavenly benedic-
tion; may they be members of Christ and heirs
through hope of thy everlasting kingdom. Do
thou, their Father who art in heaven, take them
under thy holy care and keeping. Incline their
hearts and open their minds to the light of truth
arid the attainment of useful science. Imprint up-
oh their hearts an early and thankful sense of thy
goodness in giving them abundant means of intel-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 31
A Prayer that may be used at the Opening of any School.
lectual improvement. Preserve them from the
snares of sin and all the perils of youth, and con-
duct them safely through the journey of life. Help
them continually to mortify their evil and corrupt
affections, and daily to proceed in all virtue and
godliness of living. Make them happy and useful
as members of society, and an honor and comfort
to their relatives and friends, and prepare them for
thy heavenly kingdom. Guide and bless the care
and patient labor of those who instruct them in
what is good and useful ; remember them for good,
and reward their labor of love. To all who are
engaged in the important business of instructing
youth, give wisdom and grace, both by precept and
example, to teach such things as will best promote the
good of their pupils in this world, and in the world
to come. Help them to rear the tender thought
to ripened wisdom, and to conduct the youthful
mind, in all its growth, to manly virtue. To all
who are present, give thy heavenly grace ; that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we may
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
life ; and finally be prepared to dwell with thee in
thine everlasting kingdom. For thine is the king-
dom and the power, and thine be the glory forever
and ever. These things we ask, O heavenly Fa-
ther, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Savior. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used at the Opening of any School.
ADORABLE and everliving God, the Author of our
being, and the Giver of all good, we beseech thee
in mercy to pardon our sins, to hear our prayers,
and to give us thy blessing. Without thee nothing
32 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used at the Opening of any School.
is strong, nothing is holy, nothing good. Except
the Lord build the house they labor in vain who
build. We humbly ask for thy guidance and pro-
tection, beseeching thee to direct us in all we design
or do with thy most gracious favor, and to prospei
us with thy continual help. Look down with thy
favor and blessing upon this school now present be-
fore thee, and upon all who convene in this place
for the acquirement of knowledge. Preserve them
from evil and error, and from all things which
would be hurtful to them, in body or mind. In-
cline their hearts to truth and righteousness, and
help them, we beseech thee, to receive such instruc-
tion as shall fit them to be useful members of so-
ciety in this world and heirs of thy heavenly king-
dom. Inspire them with that fear of the Lord,
which is the beginning of true knowledge. May
they be duly respectful to their parents, teachers,
and others in authority over them, inclining their
ears to wisdom, and applying their hearts to under-
standing. Wisdom is the principal thing ; help us,
O Lord, to get wisdom, and to walk in thy com-
mandments. We are blind, and weak, and sinful,
and need, O heavenly Father, thy mercy and thy
care. By thy Spirit and thy providence, be thou,
we beseech thee, our Teacher and Guide. May we
strive for knowledge, and lift up our voice for un-
derstanding. Give thy blessing to parents and
masters, and to all who have the care and the tui-
tion of the rising generation. Endue them with
wisdom and patience, with kindness and love. May
the children under their care be so trained up in the
way that they should go, that when they are old
they will not depart from it. Behold with thy
blessing and favor all our schools and seminaries
of learning. May they be instrumental in promot-
ing righteousness and truth ; and may knowledge
and happiness, and pure and undefiled religion, be
ORIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 33
For the Closing of any School.
spread and increased throughout our land. These
things, and whatever else thou shalt see to be good
for us, for this school, and for all mankind, we
humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior. Amen.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with us now and evermore. Amen.
For the Closing of any School.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, in whom we live
and move and have our being, we humbly desire
to render thee our thanks and praise for all thy
daily mercies ; and especially for the favors and
blessings which have been vouchsafed to us this
present day. We thank thee, O God, for the
means and opportunities of acquiring useful know-
ledge, which are bountifully bestowed upon us, and
upon the people of this our country, beseeching
thee to give us grace rightly to use them, to the
promotion of thy honor, and of our own best good.
Grant us a right judgment in all things, and guide
our steps in the paths of heavenly wisdom. May
we love the things which thou commandest, and
desire those which thou dost promise to them
who love and serve thee. Take us, we beseech
thee, and all that appertains to us, under thy holy
care and keeping. Preserve us from sin and wick-
edness, and 'from every danger of soul and body.
Help us in the performance of every duty, and
every work which our hand findeth to do. Give
us grace to be humble and meek ; to be respectful to
all to whom respect is due, and just and charitable
to all our fellow-men. May we be kindly affec-
tioned one to another with brotherly love ; in honor
preferring one another; and as much as lieth in
C
34 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used on any occasions of Catechising Children.
us, may we live peaceably with all men. In all
the business of our several occupations, direct us,
O Lord, and give us thy blessing. Preserve us
from an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from
thee, the living God. May we set the Lord always
before us ; be thou on our right hand, that we may
not be moved from our steadfastness, nor neglect
any duty which we owe to ourselves, to our neigh-
bors, or to thee. Vouchsafe, O Lord, we beseech
thee, to sanctify and govern both our hearts and
bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works
of thy commandments, that through thy most
mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be
preserved, in body and soul, through our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name and words we
offer and conclude our humble supplications :
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come : thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread ; and forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The two following may be used on any occasions of Catechising Chil-
dren, or in Sunday Schools.
ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, the
author of all good and the giver of all grace, with-
out whose blessing and aid our designs and labors
are fruitless and vain, look down, we beseech thee,
with thy favor and heavenly benediction, upon
these children and youth who are here before thee,
desirous to learn the rudiments of religion the
first principles of the doctrine of Christ. We be-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 35
To be used on any occasions of Catechising Children.
seech thee, O God, in thy merciful goodness, to
open their tender minds, that they may know thy
truth, and understand and receive the doctrines of
eternal life in Jesus Christ. Help them to receive
with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able
to save their souls ; and to become in heart and
life members of Christ, children of God, and in-
heritors of the kingdom of heaven. Grant them
repentance, whereby they may forsake sin ; and
faith, whereby they may steadfastly believe the
promises of God, made to those who are baptized
into Jesus Christ. Direct, sanctify, and govern
their hearts and their lives in the ways of thy laws,
and in the works of thy commandments; that,
through thy most mighty protection, they may ever
be preserved from all danger, and that they may
live and grow in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. Direct and bless the care and the instruc-
tion of their parents, teachers, and others who have,
and may have, the oversight of their morals and
their education, to their temporal and eternal good.
May they all be under thy holy care and keeping:
may they live to thy glory here on the earth, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life,
through the merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all who
need, the helper of all who flee to thee for succor,
the life of those who believe, and the resurrection
of the dead, we humbly call upon thee in behalf of
these children and youth now present before thee.
Behold them with thy favor and blessing. Open
their understandings, that they may receive the in-
structions of thy word, and be established in the
first principles of thy true religion, and that, like
young Timothy, they may from childhood know
the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make them
36 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Meetings of Bible Classes.
wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in
Christ Jesus. Graft in their hearts the love of thy
name ; implant in their minds true religion ; nou-
rish them with the bread of life ; help them to re-
nounce all sinful vanities and all the lusts and pride
of life, to believe all the articles of the Christian
faith, to keep thy holy will and commandments,
and to walk in the ways of thy truth all the days
of their life. Help them to love thee, their hea-
venly Parent, with all their heart and soul and mind,
and to do unto all men as they would that others
should do unto them ; to submit themselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, and to live
soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world. Receive, O Lord, and bless them as thy
children; as thou hast promised by our Savior
Christ, give now unto us who ask ; let us who seek,
find ; open unto us who knock, that these children
may enjoy the benediction of thy heavenly grace.
Let thy Holy Spirit lead and guide them through
this sinful world in holiness and righteousness all
the days of their life ; may they be instruments of
thy glory, by serving thee in their generation ; so
that finally, by thy mercy, they may attain to ever-
lasting life, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord
and Savior. Amen.
In Meetings of Bible Classes may be used the following Prayer, or any
other in this book that may be thought convenient.
O ETERNAL God, whose wise and unfailing provi-
dence orders all things in heaven and on earth ;
who hast compassion on the sinful sons of men, and
hast graciously promised to hear the prayers of
those who ask in the name of Jesus Christ, behold
us in mercy and hear our prayers. We desire to
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 37
To be used in Meetings of Bible Classes.
come before thee, not in our own name nor trust-
ing in" our own righteousness, but in the name of
Jesus Christ, and trusting in thy mercy through
him. May thy Holy Spirit direct and aid our de-
votion ; open thou our lips, that we may show forth
thy praise, and ask for such things as shall please
thee. Make us deeply sensible of our fallen, sinful
state ; and work in us that repentance which is not
to be repented of ; that broken and contrite heart
which thou wilt not despise. Make us thankful
for thy goodness in preserving our lives from day
to day, and from week to week; and in giving us
frequent opportunities of social worship, of reading
and hearing thy holy word, and talking of thy mer-
cies revealed in Jesus Christ. Thy law is undefil-
ed, converting the soul ; thy testimony giveth wis-
dom unto the simple. May thy righteous statutes
rejoice our heart, and thy pure commandment give
light unto our eyes. O teach us thy statutes, and
help us to talk of thy commandments, and to walk
in thy ways. We thank thee, O God, that thou
hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning : may we in such wise read and hear
and understand and receive them, that we may em-
brace and ever hold fast the blessed hopes of im-
mortal life. While we search those Scriptures
which are the word of life, may we never forget
that they testify of Christ, May we give such heed
to the sure word of prophecy and its fulfilment in
him, that we may say, in the fulness of our hearts,
Lo ! this is our God, we have waited for him, and
he will save us : this is the Lord ; we have waited
for him ; we will be glad and rejoice in his salva-
tion. Accept, O Lord, of our humble and hearty
thanks for the unspeakable gift of a divine Savior;
that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us :
and that he has put away sin, by the sacrifice of
himself. We thank thee for all the means of grace
4
38 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Meetings of Bible Classes.
and for the hope of glory. We bless thee for the
weekly return of thy holy day of rest. We adore
thy goodness in giving us frequent opportunities of
communing as Christian brethren and friends, of
meeting in thy presence, of uniting in prayer, of
searching the Scriptures, of talking of thy goodness
and declaring the wonders that thou dost for the
children of men.
Thou art still calling us to the knowledge of thy
grace and faith in thee. Increase this knowledge,
and confirm this faith in us evermore ; help us to
receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is
able to save our souls, and to live in all things ac-
cording to the precepts of thy holy word. Wilt
thou, O Lord, reveal thyself to us as thou dost not
to the world? Give us that lively faith in Jesus
Christ which renews the heart and overcomes the
world. May thy word be our study and our de-
light ; and may thy Holy Spirit dwell within us,
and so sanctify our thoughts and govern our wills,
that we may present ourselves a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable, unto thee, which is our rea-
sonable service. As he who hath called us is holy,
so may we be holy in all manner of conversation.
Give us grace, O Lord, to make a right improve-
ment from these opportunities of meeting in love,
uniting in prayer, and searching for the truths of
thy holy word. Grant that what has been or shall
be now read or heard, may be duly impressed
upon our hearts, and fruitful in our lives. And
may we show our thankfulness for these favors
not only with our lips but in our lives, by giv-
ing up ourselves to thy service, and walking be-
fore thee in holiness and righteousness, to thy honor
and praise, and to our comfort and salvation in
Jesus Christ. And may the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with us evermore. Amen.
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 39
To be used in Meetings of Bible Societies, or Associations.
~
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings of Bible Societies, or Associa-
tions. |^ *i
O HOJ.Y, just, and merciful God, unto whom all
hearts are open and all desires known, and who art
always more ready to hear than we to pray, grant
unto us, thy sinful creatures here before thee, par-
don and peace. Forgive those things wherein we
have transgressed against thee, and for the sake of
thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, give us those
good things which we are not worthy to ask, but in
his prevailing name. Sanctify our affections, and
renew a right spirit within us. We bless thy holy
name, that thou didst so love the world as to send
thine only begotten Son, not to condemn the world,
but that all who believe in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life ; and that thou hast made
that same Jesus who was crucified both Lord and
Christ. We bless thee, that after he had made per-
fect our redemption, by dying for our sins and rising
for our justification, he gave commission to his apos-
tles, and commanded them to preach his gospel of
salvation to every creature. We bless thee that
thou gavest the word, and great was the company
of the preachers; and that thou art still calling
many to the like ministration and labor of love.
Make us duly thankful for these thy inestimable
benefits, and work in us a holy and earnest desire
to promote the salvation of ourselves and others.
Grant that thy name may be known through the
earth, thy saving health among all nations.
We humbly beseech thee, O God, to guide and
to bless the humble and pious efforts of thy people
to extend the knowledge of thy word and the doc-
trines of Christ to those who are in ignorance and
error. Do thou, the giver of all grace, increase
40 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Meetings of Bible Societies, or Associations.
their zeal, enlarge their means and strengthen their
hands. May all Bible Societies, and all who asso-
ciate for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures to
those who are destitute of thy written word, with
all who contribute to their funds and aid this pious
work, be under .1hy paternal pare ^n4. holy keeping.
O stablish thoifthe work 'of their nands^ufioTi them,
and remember them for -good. May thy word have
free course and^run swiftly, and the earth be full
of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover
the sea. Let thy blessing and the aid of thy Spirit
be with those missionaries and evangelists who la-
bor in word and doctrine to spread thy saving truth
in foreign lands. Accept, O Lord, of our interces-
sions for the perishing souls among whom they
labor ; and also for all sorts and conditions of men,
that thou wouldsr be > pleased to make thy ways
known unto them, thy saving health unto all na-
tions. Hear our prayers, we humbly beseech thee,
for thy holy church universal, that it may be so
guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all
who profess and call themselves Christians may be
led into the way of truth, and hold the faith hi
unity of Spirit, in the bond of peace, and in right-
eousness of life. Give grace, O heavenly Father,
to all Bishops and other ministers of Christ, that
they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth
thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly ad-
minister the ordinances of the gospel. Open to
them an effectual door of usefulness, and bless the
word spoken by their mouth, that it may be good
to the use of edifying, and minister grace to the
hearers. And do thou, the Lord of the harvest,
send into it laborers, able ministers of thy word,
whose meat and drink it shall be to do thy work.
Accept, O Lord, of these our supplications and
prayers, and dispose all our ways towards the at-
tainment of everlasting salvation. May we live to
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 41
.* A Prayer that may be used in a Sinking School.
thy glory in this world, and in the world to come
enjoy life everlasting. These things, and whatever
else thou seest to be good an.d fitting for us, and for
any and all for whom we oHght to pray, we hum-
bly ask in the name and through the mediation of
Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used in a Singing School, or a Meeting to practise
Psalmody.
ADORABLE and- everliving God, we humbly and
devoutly look unto thee, as the Author of our being,
and the Giver of every good thing. Let thy merci-
ful ears be open to our humble supplications ; and
that we may obtain our petitions, help us to ask for
such things as shall please thee. Thou knowest,
Lord, our hearts and our wants, and the imperfec-
tion of our sincerest prayers. We beseech thee to
have compassion upon our infirmities, and to give
us those good things, which we are not worthy to
ask but in the name of Jesus Christ.
Give us hearts, O Lord, to be thankful for thy
manifold goodness to us, and to all mankind. Help
us to come before thee with thanksgiving, to show
ourselves glad in thee with psalms, and heartily to
rejoice in the strength of thy salvation. While we
worship and fall down and kneel before thee, may
our souls magnify thee, O Lord, and our spirits re-
joice in God our Savior. May we praise our God
while we have our being. Direct, O Lord, and
bless our humble efforts to set forth thy praise and
to honor thy holy name. Help us to obtain such
knowledge of psalmody and the art of sacred music,
that the songs of Zion may be performed devoutly,
in due order and to edifying ; and that the voice of
melody may be heard in thy sanctuary, and in a
42 GRISWOLD'S PBAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used in a Singing School.
manner worthy of thy exalted perfections. May
we, through thy grace, sing with the spirit and
with the understanding; and make melody, not
only with our voices, but in our hearts, to the Lord.
Fill our hearts with grateful affections, and cause
our souls to unite and harmonize in love. May we
feel and say with the holy Psalmist, Praise the
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise
his holy name ; bless the Lord, O my soul, and for-
get not all his benefits. Defend us, O Lord, from
all vain thoughts and worldly affections. May we
not desire to honor ourselves, nor seek the praise
of men ; as thine is the kingdom and the power,
may thine forever be all glory and praise. Make
our offerings acceptable to thyself. Let our prayer
be set forth in thy sight as the incense, and the lift-
ing up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. And
give us grace to set forth thy praise, not only with
our lips, but in our lives, walking according to thy
word, and doing all things to thy glory. And may
we at length, through thy mercy and our Savior's
merits, join the holy, happy choir of saints above,
who sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Blessing
and honor and glory and power be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever
and ever. Amen.
PART SECOND.
PRAYERS FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES
AND FOR OTHER OCCASIONS.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
THOUGH we have in print a great variety of
Prayers for the use of families, and many of them
excellent; that this publication may be complete
for the purpose intended, a few are here offered to
the public. In compiling them the author, as will
be seen, has made much use of the Prayer Book,
and some use of the prayers published by others,
preferring those which are most common and, by
our people, most approved. What is aimed at is to
prepare some forms suitable for family worship.
They who have better forms, or who can pray bet-
ter without any, will of course find these of little
or no use. If such facilities for the performance of
a very essential duty shall be, through God's bles-
sing, the means of introducing prayer into some
families in which it is now neglected, we shall have
much cause to rejoice and bless his holy name.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
44 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Morning Prayer.
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the
glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
Morning Prayer.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whom we live
and move and have our being, we, thine unworthy
creatures, offer thee our humble thanks and praise
for thy manifold goodness to us, and to all man-
kind. We thank thee, O Lord, especially for the
preservation of the past night. To thy watchful
providence we owe it, and to thy goodness we
thankfully acknowledge it, that we are brought
[under circumstances of comfort and peace] to see
the light of another day. Give us hearts to be duly
thankful for all thy mercies, and give us grace to
show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but
in our lives, by a holy and obedient walking before
thee. As we advance in age, may we grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sa-
vior, Jesus Christ.
Do thou, O Lord, who knowest the frailty of our
nature and the temptations which assail us, support
us by the aid of thy Holy Spirit; sanctify our
hearts, restrain us from sin, and excite us to the
performance of every duty to ourselves, to our
neighbor and to thee. Imprint upon our hearts
such a fear of thy judgments, and such a thankful
sense of thy goodness to us, that we may live so-
berly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
GUIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 45
Morning Prayer.
And keep in our minds a lively remembrance of
that great day of the Lord, when we must render
an account of our conduct in this world, and be
judged according to our works.
Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy grace
and protection this day, and whilst we live. Keep
us temperate in all things, and diligent in our seve-
ral callings. Grant us patience under any afflic-
tions which it may seem good to thee to lay upon
us, and minds always contented with our present
condition, and resigned to thy holy will. Give us
grace to be just and upright in all our dealings ;
quiet and peaceable ; full of compassion, and ready
to do good unto all men, according to our abilities
and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways ; pros-
per us in the lawful business of our several stations.
Defend us from all dangers and adversities ; and be
graciously pleased to take us, our relatives and
friends, and all that is near and dear to us, under
thy merciful care arid protection ; that we may be
thy people, and that thou mayest be our God.
[This is the day which the Lord hath made ;
may we rejoice and be glad in it. Let thy Holy
Spirit go with us to the place of thy public wor-
ship ; make us devout and humble, and attentive
to the duties of thy sanctuary. May we worship
thee, our God and Savior, in spirit and in truth,
and receive with meekness the ingrafted word,
which is able to save the soul.]
And do thou, O God, the fountain of all wisdom,
mercy and grace, who knowest what we need be-
fore we ask, and the imperfection of our sincerest
prayers, have compassion upon our infirmities ; and
whatever good things thou shalt see to be fitting for
us and for thy church, and for all mankind, we
humbly ask, through the merits and mediation of
thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
46 ORIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Evening Prayer.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
be with us evermore. Amen.
Evening Prayer.
MOST gracious God, who hatest nothing that thou
hast made, and hast promised forgiveness to those
who confess and forsake their sins, we come before
thee, humbly acknowledging our manifold trans-
gressions of thy holy laws. Behold us, O Lord, in
mercy ; pardon our sins ; sanctify our hearts ; and
give us repentance unto life, for the sake of Jesus
Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior.
Without thee, O God, nothing is strong and no-
thing is holy ; grant us, we beseech thee, the aid
and direction of thy Holy Spirit. Reform whatever
is amiss in the state and disposition of our minds.
Preserve us from envy and malice and all uncha-
ritableness. May we never suffer the sun to go
down upon our wrath ; but go to our rest in peace,
charity, and good- will, with a conscience void of
offence towards thee and towards men; and be,
through thy grace, preserved in thy faith and fear,
unto the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
And accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all
mankind. May the light of thy gospel shine upon
all nations ; and they who have received it, live as
becomes it. Be gracious unto thy church, and
grant that every member of it, in his vocation and
ministry, may serve thee faithfully. Bless those in
authority over us, and so rule their hearts and
strengthen their hands, that they may not bear the
sword in vain. Send down thy blessings, temporal
and spiritual, upon our relations, friends and neigh-
bors ; may they who are dear to us be dear to thee,
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 47
Evening Prayer.
and under thy holy care and keeping. Reward
those who have done us good, and give us hearts
to be duly thankful. If any have done or wished
us evil, give to them pardon and better minds, and
to us the spirit of mercy and forgiveness. Be mer-
ciful, O Lord, to those who are in trouble, sorrow,
need, sickness or any other adversity ; and do thou,
the God of pity, comfort and relieve them, accord-
ing to their several necessities, for his sake who
went about doing good, thy Son, our Savior, Jesus
Christ.
And we desire, O gracious God, to render thee
our humble and hearty thanks for all thy mercies.
We bless thee for the gifts of life and reason ; for
our health and friends ; our food and raiment ; and
for all the enjoyments of this present life. Above
all, we adore thy mercy in sending thy only Son
into this world to redeem us from sin and eternal
death, and for giving us the knowledge and sense
of our duty towards thee. We bless thee, O God,
for thy patience with us, thy sinful creatures ; for
the guidance, aid, and comfort of thy Holy Spirit ;
for thy continual care and watchful providence over
us through the whole course of our lives ; and par-
ticularly for the mercies and benefits of the past
day ; beseeching thee to continue these thy blessings
to us, and to give us grace to show our thankful-
ness in a faithful obedience to His laws, through
whose merits and intercession we received them all,
thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Be with us, O Lord, we beseech thee, this night ;
take us, and all that appertains to us, under thy
gracious protection. Watch over us while we rest;
defend us from all evil ; preserve us from needless
fear, and keep us, we beseech thee, both outwardly
in our bodies and inwardly in our souls. Prepare
us for the labors and for all the duties of another
day. May we never forget that a night cometh,
48 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Morning Prayer.
we know not how soon, when we can no longer
work. When our Lord shall come, whether in the
second watch or in the third watch, may we be
found faithful, and ready to enter into that rest
which remains for the people of God. Grant these
things, O merciful Lord, through the merits and sat-
isfaction of thy Son, Christ Jesus, in whose name
we offer up these our imperfect prayers. Amen.
Morning Prayer.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we,
truly lamenting our sins and acknowledging our
unworthiness, may obtain of thee, the God of all
mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and
everlasting God. who hast safely brought us to the
beginning of this day, defend us, we beseech thee,
by thy mighty power : grant that this day we fall
into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger,
either of soul or body ; but that all our doings, be-
ing ordered by thy governance, may be righteous
in thy sight. Vouchsafe to direct, sanctify and go-
vern both our hearts and lives, in the ways of thy
laws, and in the works of thy commandments;
that, through thy most mighty protection, we may
be preserved in body and soul, through our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Accept, O Lord, of our prayers for all mankind,
and especially for those who are of the household
of faith. Do thou, by whose Spirit thy church is
governed and sanctified, receive our supplications
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 49
Morning Prayer.
for all its members ; that in their several states, vo-
cations and ministry, they may be free from all ad-
versity, and devoutly given to serve thee faithfully
in good works. Inspire them with truth, unity, and
concord; grant that all they who do confess thy
holy name may agree in the truth of thy holy
word, and live in unity and godly love. Send down
upon the ministers of thy gospel, and upon the con-
gregations committed to their charge, the healthful
spirit of thy grace ; and that they may truly please
thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy
blessing. Grant that they may, both by their life
and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word, and
rightly and duly administer the ordinances of our
blessed Redeemer. Grant this, O Lord, for the
honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine
unworthy servants, desire also to render unto thee
our humble and hearty thanks, for all thy goodness
and loving kindness to us and to all mankind. We
bless thee for our creation and preservation ; espe-
cially that we were kept in safety through the past
night, that we are brought to see the light of ano-
ther day, and for all the blessings of this life : but
above all, for thine inestimable love, in the redemp-
tion of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the
means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And,
we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy
mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thank-
ful ; and that we may show forth thy praise, not
only with our lips, but in our lives ; by giving up
ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee
in holiness and righteousness all our days. Dis-
pose our ways towards the attainment of everlast-
ing salvation : and among all the changes, tempta-
tions and other trials of this mortal life, may we
ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready
help, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name
5 D
50 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Evening Prayer.
and words we humbly pray : Our Father who art
in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come ; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us. And lead us not into temptation ; but
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
Evening Prayer.
O MERCIFUL God, the Giver of all good, who hat-
est nothing that thou hast made ; who wouldst not
the death of a sinner, but rather that he should
turn with penitence to thee, and be saved through
faith in Jesus Christ; mercifully forgive our tres-
passes; receive and comfort us, thy unworthy
creatures, with the light of thy reconciled counte-
nance. There is mercy, O Lord, with thee that
thou mayest be feared. To thee only it appertains
to blot out offences, and renew the soul with holy af-
fections. Spare us, O Lord, we beseech thee, spare
the people whom thou hast redeemed. Shouldst
thou be extreme to mark iniquities, no man living
could be justified. For the glory of thy name,
turn from us all the evils which we too justly have
deserved, and grant us perfect remission and for-
giveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O God, the Protector of all who trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing holy, no-
thing good, increase and multiply upon us thy
mercy ; be thou in all things our ruler and guide :
direct us in what we do, with thy most gracious
favor : prosper us with thy continual help ; that in all
our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we
_ _ GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 51
Evening Prayer.
may advance thy glory. Graft in our hearts the
love of thy name; increase in us true religion;
nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great
mercy keep us steadfast in thy fear and service,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O God, who art the Creator and Preserver of all
mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and
conditions of men, that thou wouldst be pleased to
make thy ways known unto them, thy saving
health unto all nations. More especially we pray
for thy holy church universal ; that it may be so
guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all
who profess and call themselves Christians may be
led into the way of truth, and hold the faith, once
delivered to the saints, in unity of spirit, in the
bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. We
ask thy blessing upon our benefactors, relatives,
and friends. And we commend to thy fatherly
goodness all those who are any way afflicted in
mind, body, or estate ; that it may please thee to
comfort and relieve them according to their several
necessities, giving them patience under their suf-
ferings, and a happy issue out of their afflictions.
Accept, O Lord, of our intercessions for all who
desire our prayers, and all for whom we ought to
pray. Let thy fatherly hand be over them for
good ; let thy Spirit be ever with them, and lead
them in the way of everlasting life. This we also
ask in the name and through the mediation of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, by whose power
and goodness we have been preserved through the
cares and perils of the past day, watch over us, we
beseech thee, while we sleep : under the shadow of
thy wings may we safely rest through the silent
watches of the night, and rise refreshed, prepared
in heart and strength to do thy will, with a thank-
ful sense of thy goodness. And whilst we live
52 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for Sunday Morning.
may we live to thee, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy
Ghost, be with us evermore. Amen.
A Prayer for Sunday Morning.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who art always
more willing to hear than we to pray, and art wont
to give more than either we desire or deserve, look
down upon us, we beseech thee, in mercy ; forgive
us the things wherein we have sinned against thee:
and give us hearts to be thankful for those good
things which we daily receive. We thank thee, O
God, that we are brought to see the light of another
day, and the commencement of another week.
This is the day that the Lord hath made ; may we
be glad and rejoice in it, with holy joy and thank-
ful hearts.
Give us grace, O Lord, to sanctify thy holy day
of rest, according to thy appointment, and to be
thankful that the Sabbath was made for man, to
be a season for laying aside our temporal cares,
and presenting before thee our humble adorations.
We look unto thee for thy blessing on our obser-
vance of this day which thou hast set apart for thy-
self. May we spend this holy time to the honor of
thy name. May it be to us a season of refreshing
from thy presence, and of mercy to our souls. May
thy spirit accompany us to thy sanctuary, and
make us joyful in thy house of prayer. Give us
grace so to join and engage in the service of thy
church, that the words of our mouth and the medi-
tations of our heart may be acceptable in thy sigb \.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 53
A Prayer for Sunday Morning.
May we love the habitation of thy house, and the
place where thine honor dwelleth. Help us to pray
with the spirit and with the understanding, and to
receive with meekness the words of eternal life.
May thy Spirit be with the ministers of thy gos-
pel ; and so bless thy word spoken by their mouth,
that it may minister grace to the hearers. May it
fall upon those who have ears to hear, and in an
honest and good heart be received. May the doc-
trines of life be ingrafted in their hearts, and bring
forth in them the fruits of good living.
Dispose, O Lord, and prepare our souls to per-
form faithfully all the duties suited to this holy
time ; to receive the full benefit of the ordinances
which thou hast prepared for our edification and
spiritual good, and to walk before thee in holiness
and righteousness all our days.
Grant O Lord, we beseech thee, that all who
draw nigh to thee this day, to give thee thanks for
benefits received ; to set forth thy praise ; to con-
fess their sins before thee, and to pray for what
they need : may do it according to thy will, and
obtain thy heavenly benediction. May all thy peo-
ple be in the spirit on the Lord's day, and devote
themselves to him who is Lord of the Sabbath, and
worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Let that
light which is above the brightness of the sun
shine in our hearts, to give us the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. May we
this day experience the power of Christ's resurrec-
tion ; that, as he was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, so we may walk in new-
ness of life.
And extend, O Lord, thy heavenly benediction
to the whole of thy church universal. Pour out
thy spirit upon its members, and in thine own good
time bring into its bosom those on whom the light
5*
54 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Sunday Evening.
of the gospel has not yet shined ; and may all who
have received it, live as becomes it.
Hear, O Lord, we beseech thee, these our humble
supplications and prayers. Preserve us this day from
all evil ; give us those good things which thou shalt
see to be needful and convenient ; and give us grace
that we may rightly use them. This we ask in the
name of him who died for our sins, and rose again
for our justification.
And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Fa-
ther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with us now
and evermore. Amen,
Sunday Evening.
ADORABLE and everliving God, the author and
giver of all good, by whose merciful protection we
have been conducted through the perils of the day
now past, we desire, this evening, humbly to bow
before thee with a thankful sense of thy goodness.
We bless thee, O God, for all the means of grace,
and for every opportunity afforded to us of becom-
ing wise unto salvation. We bless thee for casting
our lot in a Christian land, where the gospel of sal-
vation is preached, and thy blessed word is a lan-
tern to our feet and a light to our paths. We bless
thee for the privilege of being nurtured in a church
which is built upon the foundation of apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-
stone. We desire to be duly thankful that thou
hast so loved the world as to send into it thy only
begotten Son, not to condemn, but to save it ; and
for his gracious invitations to the weary and heavy-
laden to come unto him that they may have ever-
lasting life.
We thank thee, O God, that we are made reason-
OBIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 55
Sunday Evening.
able creatures, capable of knowing and loving and
serving thee : that our lives are still preserved ; and
especially for the mercies of the day past ; that
we have enjoyed the privilege of another of the
days of the Son of man ; that we have had another
opportunity of uniting with the congregation of thy
people in thy holy worship ; and for all the bless-
ings of thy sanctuary. Wherein we have neglected
to use and to profit by them, grant us forgiveness,
and give us true repentance for all our sins. Help
us hereafter to serve thee better and to love thee
more, and daily to increase in all virtue and godli-
ness of living. Impress upon our hearts, we hum-
bly beseech thee, a lively and lasting sense of what
thou hast done to save our souls from sin and
death : that whilst we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us, and put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Grant, O merciful God, that we may not neglect
this great salvation, offered us in Jesus Christ.
Help us to profit by all the instructions of thy
word, and to be a holy people unto thee, zealous of
good works.
Accept, O Lord, the adorations, and graciously
answer the prayers, which have during the past
day been offered before thee ; and grant to us and
to all thy people, that what of thy truth we have
heard with our ears, may be implanted in our
hearts, impressed upon our memories, and fruitful
in our lives. May we be doers of thy word, and
not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. May we
contend earnestly for the faith which was once de-
livered to the saints ; and to our faith add virtue,
knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, bro-
therly kindness and charity, and give diligence to
make our calling and election sure. What we are
taught on the Lord's day, may we practise through
the week ; and while we advance in age may we
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
56 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Monday Morning.
May we be duly thankful that the Son of man is
Lord of the Sabbath, and that the ordinances of his
religion are accommodated to our wants, and are
profitable to those who rightly use them. May they
be profitable to us : may what we have heard read
from thy word, and spoken according to thy will,
be to us a savor of life. Extend the light of th)l
truth to those who are in the darkness of unbelief,
and thy saving health unto all nations.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we
ought to pray, to the protection of thy good provi-
dence. Defend us from the perils of this night:
watch over us during the hours of sleep : and if it
be thy good pleasure to bring us to the light of an-
other day, give us hearts to be thankful for thy
goodness, and grace to live to thee, through Jesus
Christ our Lord ; to whom, with thee and the Holy
Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.
Monday Morning.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, behold with favor thy unworthy-
creatures who desire^ under a sense of thy provi-
dential care, to offer unto thee our morning sacrifice
of prayer and praise.
We are here assembled, O Lord, in thy name and
presence, waiting upon thee at the footstool of thy
grace. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of thy Holy Spirit : blot out our offences
and wash away our sins. Who can tell how oft he
offendeth 1 O cleanse thou us from our secret
faults. Keep us back, also, from presumptuous
sins : let them not have dominion over us. Let a
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 67
Monday Morning.
just sense of thy forbearance and long-suffering lead
us to repentance not to be repented of, and keep us
at the foot of the Savior's cross. Inspire us, O
Lord, with true devotion, that while we draw nigh
to thee with our lips, our hearts may not be far from
thee. Keep us ever mindful of our dependence
upon thee, and quicken us in the pursuit of things
eternal. Dispose us rightly to discharge the duties
of this day. Watch over our paths ; preserve us in
our going out and coming in, and direct all our
steps in the way of thy commandments. In all our
dealings, may we be honest and conscientious;
make us diligent in the works of our calling ; harm-
less in our conversation ; meek in our deportment ;
charitable and forgiving towards others ; watchful
over ourselves, and never forgetful of thee. May
we love thee, the Lord our God, with all our heart
and mind and soul, which is the first and great
commandment. And may we love our neighbor
as ourselves, and do unto all men as we would that
they should do unto us. O help us, as our Savior
Christ has commanded, to love our enemies, and to
bless them who despitefully use and persecute us.
May we never be overcome of evil, but endeavor
to overcome evil with good. If it be possible, and
as much as lieth in us, may we live peaceably with
all men.
We thank thee, O God, for the preservation of
our lives, and for all the blessings which make life
comfortable ; and we humbly ask for the continu-
ance of thy goodness; that thou wilt preserve us
from danger and from sin, and give us such things
as are needful and convenient for our present com-
fort, and for our eternal good. Help us to keep in
continual remembrance the doctrines of Christ, the
precepts of the gospel, and the duties of life, which
were taught us on thy holy day of rest. May we
live as they should live who are taught of God.
58 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Monday Evening.
We bless thy name, O God, for the seasons and
opportunities of learning our duty and doing thy
will which thou art weekly and daily bestowing
upon us. Make us duly sensible how much and
how wickedly we have neglected the right use of
thy blessings, and how little we have profited in
seasons of grace. Remember not, Lord, our of-
fences past, nor take thou vengeance of our sins.
Withdraw not thou thy help ; grant us the comfort
of thy salvation, and uphold us with thy free spirit;
that our souls may bless thee, and all that is within
us may praise thy holy name. Vouchsafe, O Lord,
to keep us this day without sin, and to dispose all
our ways towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation : and among all the perils and changes of
this mortal life, may we ever be defended by thy
most gracious and ready help. May we continue
steadfast in thy faith, and daily increase in thy holy
spirit more and more until we come to thine ever-
lasting kingdom. For thine is the kingdom and
the power, and thine be the glory, forever and
ever. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech thee, for the
sake of thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday Evening.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the only Potentate,
King of kings and Lord of lords, who hast thy
throne in the highest heavens, and yet deignest to
behold the things that are on earth, worthy art thou
of the praise and adoration of all intelligent beings.
What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the
children of men, that thou dost vouchsafe to them
thy care ! Thy glory transcends our utmost
thoughts, and goodness shines in all thy works.
We, thy sinful and unworthy creatures, humbly
GRTSWOLD'S PRAYERS. 59
Monday Evening.
desire to approach thee in supplication and prayer,
not in our own name, nor trusting in our own
righteousness, but in the name and through the
merits of Jesus Christ. For his sake we beseech
thee to pardon our offences, to sanctify our hearts,
and create us again unto good works. We are not
sufficient of ourselves to think, and still less to do,
any thing good : our sufficiency is of thee. With-
out thy grace we incline to evil, and to err and to
stray from thy ways like lost sheep. Enter not
into judgment with thy servants, O Lord ; for in
thy sight shall no man living be justified. We
have an advocate with thee, O our heavenly Fa-
ther, and may he be the propitiation for our sins.
To thee, through his merits, belong mercy and for-
giveness, though we have rebelled against thee.
Grant us, we beseech thee, redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to
the riches of thy grace. O give us the comfort
of thy help, and stablish us with thy free spirit.
Without thee, nothing is pure, nothing is holy :
increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that,
thou being our guide and strength, we may so pass
through things temporal, that we finally lose not
the things eternal. Work in us that repentance
which is not to be repented of, and that faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ which renews the heart and
overcomes the world.
We bless thee, O God, for thy patience and long-
suffering with those who are forgetful of thy good-
ness, and that time and opportunity for repentance
and amendment of life are still vouchsafed to us.
We bless thee, O God, that thou hast laid help on
one who is mighty, and that Jesus Christ is the end
of the law for righteousness to those who believe.
May the life we live be by faith in the Son of God.
Stablish us in thy love ; strengthen us to do good,
and guide our steps in the way of righteousness and
60 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Tuesday Morning.
peace. Help us daily to examine our hearts and
lives, and to be conformed in all things to thy holy
will.
Thou hast taught us, O God, that all our doings,
without charity, are nothing worth; inspire our
hearts with true Christian love. May that spirit
be in us, which was in our Savior Christ ; a spirit
of benevolence ; and a delight in doing good to all
men, and especially unto them who are of the
household of faith. May we owe no man any
thing, but to love one another with that love which
is the fulfilling of the whole law.
Make us thankful, O Lord, that we are called to
a knowledge of thy grace and faith in Jesus Christ ;
increase this knowledge and confirm this faith in
our hearts, and make it fruitful in our lives. Grant
that we may be also of thy chosen people; and
give us grace to make our calling and election sure.
We beseech thee, O God, to behold with thy
compassionate goodness those who are visited with
sorrow, and all who, in this transitory life, are in
need or sickness, or any other adversity. Grant
them patience under their sufferings, and a happy
issue out of their afflictions.
Extend, we beseech thee, the knowledge of thy
truth ; bless thy word wherever it is spoken, and
send it where it is not heard ; and may the borders
of Zion be more and still more enlarged, till all the
ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ,
our blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
Tuesday Morning.
ADORABLE and everliving God, the fountain of all
wisdom, mercy and grace, who hast formed the spi-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 61
Tuesday Morning.
rit of man within him. and fitted him to serve and
worship thee, we desire, as thy children and the
work of thy hands, to lift once more our heart and
voice in prayer and praise to thee. Once more
have we laid us down in peace and taken rest, and
through thy goodness are risen again in safety.
May the lives which thy goodness renews every
morning, and thy providence every moment sus-
tains, be devoted to thee. As a father spareth his
son that serveth him, wilt thou, O Lord, have mercy
upon us !
We desire, O God, to adore thy name, which is
excellent in all the earth, and whose glory is above
the heavens. We bless thee for the rest and pre-
servation of the night past. O cause us to hear thy
loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do we
trust. Make us to know the way wherein we
should go, for which we would continue daily to
lift up our soul unto thee. Cast us not away from
thy presence, nor take thy Holy Spirit from us ; but
direct our hearts into thy love, and our feet into the
way of thy testimonies. May we be ever found in
the way of duty, fearing God and working right-
eousness ; walking in the steps of thy blessed Son ;
making it evident to all that we are influenced by
his spirit, guided by his example, and pressing
forward to his kingdom. Day by day would we
magnify thee, O Lord, and worship thy name for-
ever and ever.
But we are unworthy, through our manifold sins,
to offer unto thee any worship. Enter not into
judgment with thy servants, O Lord, but spare
those whom thou hast redeemed. Have mercy
upon us after thy great goodness ; according to the
multitude of thy mercies do away our offences.
We beseech thee to take us this day under thy
holy care and keeping. Grant us such measures
of thy grace as may fit us for the duties of our re-
6
62 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Tuesday Morning.
spective stations. Make us respectful to our supe-
riors ; friendly to our equals ; kind to the poor, and
charitable and forgiving to those who do us wrong.
Cause us to delight in thy holy worship and in the
performance of all religious duties. Grant that we
may be doers of thy word, and let our light so shine
before men, that they may see our good works, and
glorify thee, our. heavenly Father. Help us to ho-
nor thee in our lives, and give us understanding
that we may keep the law with our whole heart
Preserve us from all idolatrous affection for the
things of this world ; may we never be lovers of
pleasure more than lovers of God.
And accept, O Lord, of our intercessions for all
mankind. May the light of thy glorious gospel
shine throughout this sinful world ; and to all those
who are sitting in darkness and the shadow of
death, may the Sun of Righteousness arise with
healing in his wings. May thy word have free
course, and, through thy blessing, be a savor of life
to those who hear it, producing repentance towards
God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Give
thy blessing to thy church ; and especially to the
congregation of thy people with whom we are more
particularly connected. Endue the ministers of
thy gospel with heavenly wisdom and holy zeal ;
and grant that, by their preaching and living, they
may show the truth of thy word and the power of
thy grace. Do thou, O God, who knowest our ne-
cessities before we ask, and the infirmity of our na-
ture, forgive the imperfection of these our prayers,
and answer them in thy wisdom and mercy, for the
sake of thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 63
Tuesday Evening.
Tuesday Evening.
O ETERNAL God, mighty in power, and of majesty
incomprehensible, who art exalted above the hea-
vens, while we, thy sinful creatures, are here upon
the earth, we desire, from this our humble state, to
laud and magnify thy glorious name. It is a good
thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing
praises unto thy name, O most Highest ; to tell of
thy loving kindness early in the morning, and of
thy truth in the night season.
We present ourselves, O Lord, before thee, in
humble adoration, as creatures unworthy the least
of thy mercies. Blessed are they who dwell in thy
house, and blessed is the house where thou dwell-
est ; blessed is the man whose* strength is in thee,
and in whose heart are thy ways. Grant, we be-
seech thee, that this blessing may be ours ; visit us
with thy gracious presence, and rejoice us with the
tokens of thy love. Let our prayers be set forth in
thy sight as incense, and may the lifting up of
our hands in supplication be an evening sacrifice
holy and acceptable unto thee.
We acknowledge, O heavenly Father, that we
have sinned against heaven and before thee, and
are not wcrthy to be called thy children, nor to ask
for thy grace. May thy Holy Spirit convince us of
sin, of righteousness and of judgment ; and so quick-
en our repentance and strengthen our faith, that we
may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect
remission and forgiveness, and enjoy that peace
which the world cannot give. As the heavens are
higher than the earth, so great let thy mercy be to-
wards us ; as far as the east is from the west, do
thou, the God of mercy, set our sins from us. May
our Savior Christ be to us wisdom and righteous-
64 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Tuesday Evening.
ness and sanctification and redemption, and all our
glorying be in him. O may thy grace be sufficient
for us, and thy strength be so made perfect in
weakness, that we may be strong in the Lord and
in the power of his might, and strive successfully
to enter in at, the strait gate.
And help us, O Lord, to offer, and graciously ac-
cept our evening sacrifice of praise and thanksgiv-
ing. Every day would we give thanks unto thee,
and praise thy name forever and ever. Great art
thou, O Lord, and marvellous ; worthy to be prais-
ed ; there is no end of thy greatness. One genera-
tion shall praise thy works unto another, and de-
clare thy power. Thou art gracious and merciful,
long-suffering and of great goodness ; thou art lov-
ing unto every man, and thy mercy is over all thy
works. All thy works praise thee, O Lord, and
thy saints give thanks unto thee. Make us truly
thankful that our voices may be heard among them.
We bless thee, O God, for thy daily goodness to
us and to all men ; for our life and health, our food
and raiment, our mental endowments, and for all
our social enjoyments. We bless thee that we live
in a land where the gospel is preached and thy
word is known; and that we have the offer and
the means of salvation in Jesus Christ. Make us,
we beseech thee, duly thankful for these thy mer-
cies ; and give us grace that we may rightly use
them to thy glory, and to our own and others'
salvation. .
And we pray that these privileges which we en-
joy may be extended to all who need them. Let
thy Spirit be with thy ministers who labor to evan-
gelize the nations of the earth. May thy word be
truly spoken, and in an honest and good heart re-
ceived. And grant that all Christians may be so
joined together in unity of spirit and in the bond of
peace, that thy church may be a holy temple, ac-
ceptable unto thee.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 65
Wednesday Morning.
And wilt thou, O merciful Lord, grant to this
family the abundance of thy grace ! Defend us
from evil ; watch over us for good, and take us, and
all that appertains to us, under thy holy care and
keeping. These things, and whatever else thou
seest fitting for us, for our neighbors, relatives and
friends, and for thy whole church, we humbly ask,
through the mediation of Jesus Christ, to whom,
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
Wednesday Morning.
i . ' . .
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Maker of all
things, the Father of our spirits, the Life of them
who believe, and the Resurrection of the dead, thou
alone art worthy of all adoration and praise. To
thee all angels cry aloud ; the heavens and all the
powers therein. The holy church throughout all
the world doth worship thee ; and with angels and
archangels, and with all the company of heaven,
we laud and magnify thy glorious name. We bless
thee for thy adorable perfections, and for all the
wonders thou doest for the children of men. We
thank thee for thy unnumbered mercies vouchsafed
to us thy unworthy creatures ; and especially that
our lives are still preserved, and that we are per-
mitted this morning to open our lips that we may
show forth thy praise. May these our thankful
offerings flow from lips unfeigned, and from hearts
sincere.
We are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to
offer unto thee any sacrifice, and our humblest sup-
plications will need thy pardon; yet we beseech
thee to accept this our bounden duty and service,
not weighing our merits, but pardoning our of-
6* E
66 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Wednesday Morning.
fences. Give us, O Lord, the spirit of humble
supplication: help our infirmities, and teach us
how to pray.
Help us, O Lord, each one to do his duty in that
state of life to which respectively we are called,
with diligence and fidelity. May we abound in
love ; abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which
is good ; not be slothful in business, but fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord. Give us grace to rejoice
with them that do rejoice, and to weep with them
that weep. May we recompense to no man evil for
evil ; but endeavor to overcome evil with good, and
to provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Help us to resist temptation and escape the snares
of sin. Make us ever mindful of thy presence and
desirous of thy grace. Open thou our eyes that
we may see the excellence of thy law : give us un-
derstanding that we may know thy testimonies and
write the words of thy gospel in our hearts. Direct
and bless us in our endeavors to know and to do
thy will : make us contented with what thou shalt
provide for us ; industrious in some honest calling,
and temperate in all things. Make us thankful for
all the good that we receive, and kind to those who
need the blessings which we enjoy. May all bitter-
ness and anger and evil speaking be put away from
us, with all malice : and may we be kind one to
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even
as thou hast, we hope and pray, for Christ's sake,
forgiven us.
Have mercy, O Lord, upon all those who are still
in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity,
living in sin, and without God in the world. Con-
vert their souls and bring them home, blessed Lord,
to thy flock, that they may be saved among the
remnant of the true Israelites, and become one fold
under one Shepherd.
We beseech thee, O God, to bless our country
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 67
Wednesday Evening.
with prosperity and peace. May this nation be a
people serving thee, having thee for their God, and
thy word for their guide. Bless our civil rulers, and
all who are in authority over us, with wisdom, jus-
tice and truth. And wilt thou extend the blessings
of light and liberty, and pure and undefiled religion,
to all the nations of the earth. May thy kingdom
come : may the time arrive when the mountain of
the Lord's house shall be established in the top of
the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills,
and all nations shall flow unto it.
Let thy spirit, O Lord, be with us this day and
while we live. Give us grace to love and fear thee,
and diligently to live after thy commandments. In
all our doings and desires; in our going out and
coming in ; in the business of our callings, and in
the work which our hands find to do, wilt thou
rule our hearts, strengthen our hands, and give us
thy blessing. May we love the things which thou
commandest, and desire those which thou dost pro-
mise ; and among all the manifold changes and pe-
rils of this world, may our hearts be surely fixed
where true joys are to be found, through Jesus
Christ.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy
Ghost, be with us evermore. Amen.
Wednesday Evening.
ADORABLE Creator, who art exalted above all
thrones and dominions, dwelling between the che-
rubim, in the holy place of the highest heavens,
and yet humblest thyself to behold the things that
are in heaven and on earth, and to hear the prayers
of thy unworthy creatures, be pleased now, we be-
68 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Wednesday Evening.
seech thee, to hear the petitions which we would
offer in the name of Jesus Christ.
Another day is taken from our scanty span of
life, and may it awaken in us a lively sense of the
importance of time, and that the period is swiftly
approaching when time with us will be no more.
Teach us, we beseech thee, so to number our days
that we may apply our hearts to true wisdom.
Grant that the time and opportunities which thy
patient goodness may yet vouchsafe to us, may be
rightly used to the purposes of our Christian calling.
As we advance in age, may we grow in grace.
We beseech thee, O God, to turn thy face from
our sins, and to blot out all our iniquities. Make
us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within
us. The sacrifice in which thou delightest is a
meek and humble spirit : a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, wilt thou not despise. Remember
not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our fore-
fathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins.
Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people whom thou
hast redeemed with thy precious blood, and be not
angry with us forever. Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that
we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify
thy holy name.
Though we have wickedly transgressed, to whom
can we go for pardon and acceptance but unto thee,
O thou Savior of men, who alone hast the words of
eternal life ? If thou speak the word, we shall be
healed. Cast us not away from thy presence, nor
take thy Holy Spirit from us. Direct, sanctify and
govern both our hearts and our bodies in the ways
of thy laws, and in the works of thy command-
ments. May we seek first, and above all things,
the kingdom of God and his righteousness. In-
crease and multiply upon us thy mercy, that, thou
being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 69
Wednesday Evening.
the perils and trials of this life, that we may arrive
at the glorified state of thy heavenly kingdom.
Create us again unto good works. Inspire in our
hearts that charity which is the bond of perfectness ;
which suffereth long and is kind ; which envieth
not ; which seeketh not her own, and thinketh no
evil : inspire us with that Christian love which
worketh no ill to our neighbor, and is the fulfilling
of the whole law.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may
be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that
thy church may serve thee in all godly quietness ;
and that all those who confess thy name may agree
in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity and
godly love. May it please thee to bring into the
way of truth all such as have erred, and are de-
ceived ; to strengthen such as do stand ; to comfort
and help the weak-hearted ; to raise up those who
fall, and subdue our spiritual foes.
We beseech thee, O Lord, to bless the people of
this our country ; defend them from every evil, and
from every foe. Surely trusting in thy defence,
may we not fear the power of any adversary ; may
the Lord be our God, and his word our guide.
Bless the people and the government of this state
in which we live. Give thy blessing to the inha-
bitants of this town, and inspire thy church and
people here with godly zeal and Christian love.
Send down upon the ministers of thy gospel, and
upon the congregations committed to their charge,
the healthful spirit of thy grace and the continual
dew of thy heavenly benediction.
Do thou, who hast graciously promised to hear
the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's name,
mercifully incline thine ears to us who have now
made our prayers and supplications unto thee, and
grant our petitions for the sake of our Savior, Jesus
Christ.
70 GRISWOLD'S PRATERS.
Thursday Morning.
And may the peace of God, which passeth un-
derstanding, keep our hearts and minds in the
knowledge and love of God ; and the blessing of the
Father } Son, and Holy Ghost be ever with us.
Amen.
Thursday Morning.
O LORD God, who art the hope of all the ends of
the earth; who alone givest life and health and
peace ; thou art our God, and early will we seek
thee. Thou art nigh unto them who call upon
thee faithfully. Thy eyes, O Lord, are over the
righteous, and thy ears are open to their prayers.
Thou art nigh unto them who are of a contrite
heart, and wilt save such as are of an humble spirit.
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts:
hear the prayers and accept the praise which we
desire this morning to offer before thee. Have re-
spect, we beseech thee, to us and to our offering,
and meet with thy blessing those who desire to
seek thee in prayer, and make thy throne to us a
throne of grace.
We would look unto thee, O God, as our Father
who art in heaven, and the Creator and Preserver
of all mankind. Thou hast made us, and not we
ourselves : we are thy people, and the sheep of thy
pasture ; we worship and fall down and kneel be-
fore thee as the Lord our Maker, and the Giver of all
good. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with
thee, O heavenly Father, and may he be the propi-
tiation for our sins. We are unworthy to offer unto
thee any sacrifice ; through Him alone, our merito-
rious High Priest, we approach thee, O God, that
we may find mercy and grace to help us in the
time of need. O Lord, increase our faith, and let
thy Spirit Kelp our infirmities, and teach us to ask
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Thursday Morning.
for such things, and with such devotion, as shall
please thee, and that our prayers may ascend as
grateful incense.
We give thee thanks for the preservation of the
night past, and for the comforts vouchsafed to us
this morning ; beseeching thee to take us, this day,
and all that is ours, under thy guidance and pro-
tection. Grant that all our doings may be ordered
by thy governance, and righteous in thy sight.
Teach us the worth of our immortal souls, and the
great salvation wrought for us in Jesus Christ.
May we never be ashamed to confess him before
men ; but glory in bearing his cross, and being his
disciples. May our conversation be such as becometh
his gospel ; and may the whole conduct of our lives,
the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our
heart, be always acceptable in thy sight, through
Jesus Christ, our strength and our Redeemer.
We thank thee, O heavenly Father, for all the
blessings we receive, both of providence and grace.
But above all we adore thee for thy inestimable
love in the redemption of the world by our Lord
Jesus Christ. Give us, we pray thee, that due
sense of thy goodness, that our hearts may be duly
thankful, and our lives be devoted unto thee. May
thy Spirit lead us into all truth, and make us fruit-
ful in every good word and work. Let not the
cares of this world cause us to neglect the one thing
needful ; but help us rather to lay up our treasures
where moth and rust cannot destroy them. Ac-
cording as we have opportunity, may we do good
unto all men. May we love those that love the
Lord Jesus, and may the spirit which was in him
be also in us. May we abhor that which is evil,
and in all things cleave to that which is good : be
kind and affectionate ; rejoicing in hope ; patient in
tribulation ; given to hospitality.
Hear us, O Lord, in mercy : in all we think and
72 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Thursday Evening.
do, may thy Holy Spirit aid and guide us ; that in
this world we may live to thy glory, and finally,
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy
Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.
The Lord bless us and keep us ; the Lord lift up
the light of his countenance upon us and give us
peace, now and evermore. Amen.
Thursday Evening.
O ETERNAL God, thou Shepherd of Israel, whose
all-seeing eye surveys the inhabitants of this lower
world, behold us thy dependent creatures with thy
favor and blessing. Thou, Lord, hast been our
refuge from one generation to another. Before the
mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth
and the world were made, thou art God from ever-
lasting, and world without end. All thy works
praise thee, and thy saints give thanks unto thee.
Thou art righteous in all thy ways, and holy in all
thy works. Thou art about our bed, and about our
paths, and spiest out all our ways. There is not a
word of our mouth, nor a thought or intent of our
heart, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. The
darkness is no darkness to thee : with thee the night
is as clear as the day. Wherewith shall we, thy
sinful creatures, come before thee, and bow our-
selves before the high God? What sacrifice shall
atone for our multiplied transgressions? Will the
Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with
rivers of oil ? Thou hast shown us what is good ;
thou hast laid help on one who is mighty. Thou
hast given thy only Son to be our Savior, who has
put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. O give
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 73
Thursday Evening.
us that faith in him which worketh by love, that
we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly
with thee.
We beseech thee, O heavenly Father, mercifully
to look upon our infirmities, and through the merits
of our Savior, and for the glory of thy great name,
turn from us all those evils that we most justly
have deserved ; and in all the afflictions that we
may suffer, may we confide in thy mercy and sub-
mit to thy will. May we ever look unto thee as
the greatest good, and to thy loving kindness as
better than life itself. May we never neglect thy
great salvation : being justified by faith, may we
have peace with thee. Make us wise and faithful
in all the duties of life and of religion. Let not sin
reign in our mortal bodies, nor any vain desire pos-
sess our hearts. Help us so to number our days,
and to view the uncertainty of their continuance,
that we may ever be watchful and prepared, as
they who wait for the coming of their Lord. Re-
strain us from all immoderate desire of temporal
things, that we may use the world as not abusing
it. Help us rightly to value the true riches, and to
have our conversation in heaven. Cause us to love
thy word, and to delight in thy laws ; and so en-
lighten our minds and purify our affections, that
we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed
hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us
in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Accept, O Lord, of our prayers for all of our fel-
low-men ; that thy ways may be known unto them,
and thy saving health be extended to all the na-
tions of the earth. Have mercy upon all who
are now living in sin, and in the darkness of unbe-
lief. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of
heart, and dislike of thy holy word ; and bring them,
blessed Lord, into thy flock, that they may be all of
74 GRISW OLD'S PRAYERS.
Friday Morning.
one fold, and under the one true Shepherd, Jesus
Christ.
Be pleased, O God, to continue thy gracious pro-
tection to us this night. Keep us both outwardly
in our bodies and inwardly in our souls. O thou
Keeper of Israel, who never slumberest nor sleepest,
take charge of us and ours, and watch over us for
good. Preserve us from sin and from peril : may
we lie down in peace and take our rest in the com-
forting belief that it is thou, O God, who makest us
to dwell in safety. Fit and prepare us for that
heavenly rest which remaineth for the people of
God. We offer these, our evening devotions, in
the name of Jesus Christ : and may his grace be
ever with us. Amen.
Friday Morning.
O GOD, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who
art eternal, immortal, invisible, the Maker of the
world and of all that is therein, worthy art thou to
receive glory and honor and power ; for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are
and were created. Our life is thine : our hearts
are in thy hand, and our secret thoughts are known
to thee. We adore thee as the giver of all good.
The eyes of all wait upon thee ; thou openest thy
hand and fillest all things living with plenteous-
ness. Thy mercies fail not, but are new every
morning ; of the least of them we are unworthy.
What shall we render unto thee, O Lord, for all thy
benefits ! Awaken in our souls an earnest, thank-
ful desire to take the cup of salvation offered us in
Jesus Christ, and through him to call upon thy
holy name, as the only hope of all the ends of the
earth. Accept, we beseech thee, this our morning
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 75
Friday Morning.
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and hear the
supplications and prayers which we desire, with
humble adoration, to offer before thee.
We bless thee, O God, for thy preservation of us
from the commencement of our lives to this present
time, and especially for the rest and refreshment of
the past night ; that we were permitted once more
to lie down in peace and take our rest, and that
thou, O Lord, hast made us to dwell in safety. We
thank thee for this and for all thy daily goodness to
us and to all men ; but chiefly do we bless thy holy
name for the redemption of mankind in Jesus
Christ ; that in him mercy and truth are met to-
gether, righteousness and peace have kissed each
other ; that through his offering himself for our sins
thou canst be just in justifying those who believe
in him. We rejoice with thankfulness that he is
the resurrection and the life ; that, by rising from
the dead, he became the first fruits of those who
sleep in death ; that when he ascended on high he
led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men
even the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost to be
our comforter.
Grant, O merciful God, that we may not neglect
this great salvation. For his sake who came to
call, not the righteous, but sinners to repentance,
behold us with pity and forgive us our sins. Though
we have erred and strayed from thy righteous ways,
have left undone what thy word requires, and often
transgressed thy holy laws, cast us not away in thy
displeasure ; but sanctify our hearts, and work in
us repentance towards thee, and faith towards the
Lord Jesus Christ.
May we engage, O Lord, in the business and ac-
tive duties of this day with a just sense of thy
overruling providence, knowing that except the
Lord build the house they labor in vain who build
it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman
76 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Friday Evening.
waketh in vain. It is but lost labor that we haste
to rise up early, and late take rest, and eat the
bread of carefulness : without thy blessing our la-
bor will not prosper. Though we plant and water,
thou only canst give increase. Wilt thou, O gra-
cious Lord, direct and bless us in all we do. Take
us, we beseech thee, and all that appertains to us,
under thy guidance and protection. Keep us ever
mindful of thy presence, and of the one thing need-
ful. Prosper us in the business of our several sta-
tions, and give us grace to be diligent in every
duty.
Give thy blessing to those who are set in au-
thority over us ; direct their counsels and strengthen
their hands. May we remember that the powers
which be are ordained of God, and that they bear
not the sword in vain. Bless the people of our
country with union, prosperity and peace. Send
down thy blessings upon our neighbors, relatives,
and friends. May they who are dear to us be
dear to thee.
These things, and whatever thou seest to be fitting
for us and for all men, we humbly ask in the name
of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday Evening.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who art always
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont
to give more than we desire or deserve, pour down
upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving our
manifold transgressions, and assisting us in our
supplications and prayers. O thou God of mercy,
absolve us from our offences and cleanse us from
our sins. May it please thee to give us true repen-
tance ; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 77
Friday Evening.
ignorances, and to endue us with the grace of thy
Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy
holy word, that we may obtain of thee, the God of
all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.
To thee, O Lord, belong mercy and forgiveness,
though we have rebelled against thee, and have not
obeyed thy voice, to walk in the laws which thou
hast set before us. Thou art glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises, doing wonders ; great in majesty,
and great in mercy. Give us grace, in deep contri-
tion, each one for himself, to say, God be merciful
to me, a sinner.
Gracious is thy word, declaring that there is no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus;
and that he is the end of the law for righteousness
to those who believe. Grant unto us that righteous-
ness which is by faith in the Son of God ; and may
thy Spirit bear witness with our spirit that we are
thy children, accepted in the Beloved.
We thankfully acknowledge thy goodness in the
blessings vouchsafed to us during the day past ; in
preserving our lives, continuing to us many bles-
sings, and giving us time and means for knowing
and doing thy will. Give us, we beseech thee, a
more lively sense of thy benefits ; awaken us to
righteousness ; turn thou us, and we shall be turn-
ed. Work in us to will and to do that which is
pleasing in thy sight. May we put on the whole
armor of God ; fight the good fight of faith, and be
conquerors, and more than conquerors, through him
who loved us and gave himself for us. While thou
art pleased, in thy patient goodness, to hold our
soul in life, give us grace to serve thee better and
love thee more. Do for us, we beseech thee, and
work in us whatever shall be necessary and con-
venient for our present comfort and our eternal
good. Tuke from us all sinful ignorance and hard-
ness of heart, and preserve us from the deceitful-
7*
78 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Saturday Morning-.
ness of worldly things : may we pass the time of
our sojdurning here in thy faith and fear ; and live
so soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world, as becometh those who expect shortly to
give an account to thee, who wilt judge all men ac-
cording to their works. Make us a household fear-
ing thee and working righteousness.
Hear our prayers and supplications for all man-
kind. Inspire, continually, the universal church
with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord ; and
grant that all they who do confess thy holy name,
may agree in the truth of thy word, and live in
unity and godly love. May those in authority truly
and impartially administer justice ; and the people
perform their respective duties, in all godly quiet-
ness. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops
and other ministers, that they may, both by their
life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word,
and rightly and duly administer thy holy sacra-
ments. And grant that all thy people, with meek
heart and due reverence, may hear and receive thy
word, and truly serve thee in holiness of life. Hear
us, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ. And to
thee, our only God and Savior, be glory and ma-
jesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
Amen.
Saturday Morning.
O BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scrip-
tures to be written for our learning, grant that we
may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and
inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort
of thy holy word, we may\ embrace and ever hold
fast the blessed hope of everlasting life. Bless to
our edification all that we 4iead and hear from the
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 79
Saturday Morning.
Holy Scriptures ; may it be so grafted irl our hearts
as to bring forth in us the fruit of good -hating. ^ %
Thy statutes, O Lord, are right, and^noiid re-
joice the heart ; thy judgments are true and right-
eous altogether. By them are thy servants taught,
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Give -us understanding, that we may keep thy law
with our whole heart. Make us to go in the path
of thy commandments, and to have a delight there-
in. Enlighten our minds with the truths of thy
gospel and the doctrines of life, and help us to re-
ceive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is
able to save our souls.
We are here assembled, O Lord, in thy name and
presence, waiting upon thee at the footstool of thy
grace. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of thy Holy Spirit : blot out our offences,
and wash away our sins. Who can tell how oft he
offendeth ? O cleanse thou us from our secret faults.
Keep us back, also, from presumptuous sins; let
them not have dominion over us. May we never
so presume upon thy mercy as lightly to esteem
the riches of thy goodness, or neglect the work of
our salvation. Knowing that the righteous are
scarcely saved, may we give all diligence to make
our calling and election sure. Cause us to be hum-
ble, and devoutly given to serve thee by good
works.
Keep alive in us a true spirit of devotion, that
whi^e we draw nigh to thee with our lips, our heart
may not be far frofn thee. Quicken us in the pur-
suit of spiritual things. May we never be so cum-
bered with worldly serving, as to neglect those
things which are truly needful to our eternal good.
Dispose us, O Lord, we beseech thee, rightly to
discharge the duties of this day. Watch over our
paths; compass us about with thy favor; pre-
serve us in our going out and coming in ; and
80 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Saturday Evening.
direct all our steps in the way of thy command-
ments. In all our dealings may we be honest and
conscientious; diligent in the works of our calling;
godly in our conversation ; meek in our deport-
ment; charitable and forgiving towards others;
watchful over ourselves, and never forgetful of thee.
Sanctify to us such pains and sorrows, and other
afflictions, as thou mayest see it fitting to lay upon
us ; make us patient in suffering, and in all things
resigned to thy holy will.
Make us diligent in using all the means of grace.
Give us ears to hear the truth as it is in Jesus
Christ, and hearts to be doers of the word, and not
hearers only. May we be faithful in searching the
Scriptures ; and never go beyond the word of the
Lord our God to do less or more.
May we abound in that love which is not in word
and tongue, but in deed and truth ; and show forth
thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by letting our light so shine before men, that they
may see our good works, and glorify thee, our hea-
venly Father. And when we shall have served
thee in our generation, may we be gathered unto
our fathers, having the testimony of a good con-
science ; in communion with thy church ; in the
confidence of a certain faith ; in the comfort of a
reasonable, religious, and holy hope, and in perfect
charity with all mankind. We ask it, O heavenly
Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our
blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
Saturday Evening.
O GOD, our Father who art in heaven ; who dost
from thy throne behold all that dwell upon the
earth, and hast the hearts and the wants of all thy
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Saturday Evening.
creatures before thee, we, the most unworthy of
them, desire, this evening, to come before thee in
prayer and supplication. But wherewith shall we
come before thee, O Lord, or bow ourselves in thy
presence, O thou Most High 1 We would come in
the only prevailing name of thy blessed Son, in
whom thou hast declared thyself well pleased. In
the plenitude of thy mercy, thou hast sent him into
the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it,
and hast made him unto us wisdom and righteous-
ness, and sanctification and redemption. In his
name, O thou Father of our spirits, and trusting in
his merits, do we present ourselves before thee, be-
seeching thee to have respect unto the prayer of thy
servants. Hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place,
and when thou hearest, for Christ's sake, forgive.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our sup-
plications and prayers, that we may approach thee
with reverence, and obtain our requests. Dispose
our hearts and direct our ways towards the attain-
ment of everlasting salvation. In all the changes,
temptations, and other trials of this mortal state,
may we ever be defended by thy most gracious and
ready help. May we be of the number of thy pe-
culiar people, zealous of good works, doing justly,
loving mercy, walking humbly with thee, and
adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all
things.
Make us thankful, O God, for all the blessings
which we enjoy, both temporal and spiritual. Help
us to discern the hand of thy providence in all that
befalls us. In prosperity and adversity ; whether
we abound or suffer need; may we never forget
that the Lord rules ; that thou art righteous in all
thy ways, and good to all thy creatures.
We desire of thee, O Lord God, our heavenly
Father, who art the Giver of all goodness, to send
thy grace unto us and to all people, that we may
F
82 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Saturday Evening.
worship thee, serve thee, and obey thee as we ought
to do. And we beseech thee to send us all things
that are needful, both for our souls and bodies : and
that thou wilt be merciful unto us, and forgive us
our sins ; and be pleased to save and defend us in
all dangers, both of soul and body : and that thou
wilt keep us from all sin and wickedness, from our
spiritual enemies, and from everlasting death.
During the week which is now near its close,
many of our fellow-men have departed this life, and
entered into their eternal state: we yet survive,
monuments of thy forbearing mercy. While our
life is continued, may we live to thee. Prepare us
for the duties, and for the right observance of the
Lord's day which is approaching, that we may
sanctify it as holy unto thee, and a season sacred
to thy worship. Be with the assemblies of thy
worshipping people ; meet them in mercy, and visit
them with thy salvation. May all who seek thee
be joyful and glad in thee. and find by happy ex-
perience, that one day in thy courts is better than a
thousand spent in vanity and sin.
May the close of each day remind us of that
night near at hand, in which no man can work ;
and stimulate us to do, with all our might, what
thou hast appointed our hand to do. Protect us, O
Lord, this night, that no evil may befall us, nor
plague come nigh our dwelling ; watch over us for
good, and keep us in safety. May we go to our
rest in charity with all men ; and may we rise re-
freshed, disposed and strengthened to do thy will.
We ask this for Christ's sake. And unto thee, O
God, who art able to do for us abundantly more
than we can ask or think, be glory in the church,
by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without
end. Amen. *
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 83
Second Week. Sunday Morning.
Second Week. Sunday Morning.
O LORD God> who art glorious in holiness and
power, and whose goodness is infinite, thou art
worthy of all adoration and praise. The heavens
and the earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The holy church throughout all the world doth ac-
knowledge thee as the Father of our spirits, the
Redeemer of the world, and the Sanctifier of the
faithful. And with thy saints on earth, and with
all the company of heaven, we would laud and
magnify thy glorious name.
Wonderful art thou, O God, in thy adorable per-
fections. When we consider the heavens, the works
of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou
hast ordained, what is man, that thou art mindful
of him ! or the sons of men, that thou visitest them
with unnumbered mercies ! We are vile and sin-
ful ; it is of thy mercy that we are not consumed ;
that our lives, unprofitable to thee, are continued
from day to day, and from one week to another.
We thank thee, O God, for the comforts continu-
ally bestowed upon us, thy unworthy creatures :
and chiefly for thy mercy in Jesus Christ. We
bless thy holy name that thou didst so love the
world as to give thine only begotten Son, that who-
soever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. We bless thee for the means and
ordinances which are mercifully appointed for our
benefit, as the channels of thy grace, and for build-
ing us up in a holy religious faith.
Make us duly thankful that the Son of man is
Lord of the Sabbath, and that we are brought to see
again its weekly return. This is the day which
the Lord hath made, which he hath sanctified to
himself, by rising from the dead : may we rejoice
84 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second week. Sunday Morning.
and be glad in it. Save us now, O Lord, we be-
seech thee ; send us now prosperity.
We beseech thee, O God, mercifully to direct and
aid us in all the duties suitable to this day, accord-
ing to thy gracious purpose in its appointment.
May thy Spirit be with all who unite in thy holy
worship. Sanctify their affections and help them
to withdraw their thoughts from worldly cares, to
hold their Conversation in heaven, and to worship
thee in spirit and in truth. May the power of god-
liness possess their hearts. Make us sensible, O
Lord, how great are the privileges of thy sanctuary :
how blessed it is to enter into thy gates with thanks-
giving, and into thy courts with praise; to fall
down and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
We beseech thee of thy compassionate goodness
to pity those who, by sickness or other causes, are
deprived of the privilege of uniting with thy people
in thy house of prayer. May they consider that
thy gracious presence is not confined to temples
made with hands : that the hearts and the wants
of thy creatures are all before thee, and that thy
mercy is over all thy works. Help them, in faith
and hope, to raise their souls in prayer and praise
to thee. Comfort them with a sense of thy good-
ness, and give them peace.
Let thy Spirit, O Lord, be with those of us who
shall be permitted this day to meet with thy people
in the place of thy public worship. Fill our hearts
with seriousness and devout affections, and make
us attentive to the duties of thy house. Give us,
we entreat thee, repentance unto life, and make us
joyful in thy house of prayer. Dispose us, in an
honest and good heart, to hear the gospel of our Sa-
vior Christ, and to receive the words of eternal life.
Wilt thou, O gracious Lord, accompany thy word
with power, and adapt it to the wants of all who
hear it. May sinners be awakened to righteous-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 85
Second Week. Sunday Morning.
ness and flee from the wrath to come. May they
seek thee while thou mayst be found and call upon
thee while thou art near. May the wicked forsake
his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
Alarm the careless ; comfort and help the weak-
hearted, and reclaim those who have erred from the
paths of truth. May we never be forgetful hearers,
but doers of thy work, manifesting in our lives that
we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. May we know
him and the power of his resurrection : as he was
raised up by the glory of the Father, may we also
walk in newness of life.
Make us duly thankful for the Holy Scriptures
written for our learning, and for the religious privi-
leges, and all the means of knowledge and grace
which we enjoy. Help us, O Lord, so to estimate
and to use these blessings, that we may become
wise unto salvation. May we remember the Lord's
day to keep it holy, and have grace to profit in the
religion of our Savior, Christ.
Look, we beseech thee, with thy favor and
blessing upon all Sunday schools, and upon that
especially with which we are more particularly
connected. Give thy blessing to the teachers who
are occupied in this labor of love, and remember
them for good. Bless the children and youth who
attend upon their instruction. Help them to receive
in their hearts and to evince in their lives the pre-
cepts of thy word, and the principles of the doc-
trines of Christ. Oper| their understandings, and
incline their ear unto thy testimonies. Graft in
their tender minds a religious faith and a godly fear,
and nourish them with the doctrines of life. Help
them so to proceed in all virtue and godliness of
living, that finally they may be inheritors of thine
everlasting kingdom.
Assist us, O Lord, with thy heavenly grace ; di-
rect our hearts and dispose our ways to the attain-
8
GUIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Sunday Evening.
ment of everlasting salvation ; and in all the pains
and perils of this mortal life, may we ever be
defended by thy most gracious and ready help,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Second Week. Sunday Evening.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, we desire
once more to bow before thee, with reverence and
humility, and with a thankful sense of thy good-
ness. It is a good thing to give thanks unto thee,
O Lord, and to praise thy name ; to show forth thy
loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithful-
ness in the night season. A pleasant thing it is to
be thankful for thy mercies ; to acknowledge thy
goodness, and to adore thy perfections. How mani-
fold are thy works; in wisdom hast thou made
them all. The heavens declare thy glory, and the
firmament showeth thy handy work. Thou hast
appointed the moon for certain seasons, and the sun
knoweth his going down. Day unto day uttereth
speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.
But far surpassing all the glory of the starry hea-
vens is the Sun of Righteousness, who hath risen
upon this sinful world with healing in his wings.
We adore thee for the gift of a divine Savior ; that
thou, who didst command the light to shine out of
darkness, hast shined in the"hearts of thy people, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God,
in the face of Jesus Christ. Grant that we may
walk as the children of light, and while it is called
to-day, before that night cometh in which no man
can work.
Sanctify to us all the means of grace, and espe-
cially thy appointment of a holy day of rest. Make
GRISW OLD'S PRAYERS. 87
" Second Week. Sunday Evening. "
us duly thankful that we have been favored again
with its weekly return, and sensible that one day
in thy courts is better than a thousand spent in
vanity and sin. Help us to profit in seasons of
grace. May we not be of those who are ever learn-
ing, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth ; but receive with meekness and with joy the
ingrafted word, which is able to save the soul.
Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O
Lord ; but in mercy pardon our neglect of thy word,
and our having profited so little by Sabbaths and
ordinances and other means and blessings. Awaken
in our minds a lively sense of thy goodness, and
grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please
thee in newness of life.
Give us hearts, O Lord, to pity and to pray for
those who need the blessings which we possess.
Extend the light of the gospel and the saving truths
of thy word to all the families of the earth. Be
merciful to those who are still sitting in darkness
and the shadow of death. Send, we beseech thee,
O gracious Lord, send laborers into that great har-
vest, the heathen world. If thou speak the word
great will be the company of the preachers. At
thy command let their sound go out into all the
earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
O may thy kingdom come with power, and truth
and righteousness increase, till thy will shall be
done on earth, as it is in heaven.
And grant that the kingdom of God may be with-
in us ; that the word of Christ may dwell in us
richly, in all wisdom. May thy Spirit convince
us of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and
excite us to diligence, watchfulness, and prayer.
May that mind be in us, which was also in Jesus
Christ, that it may be our meat and drink to do thy
will, and that we may love one another, as he has
given us commandment. May the fruits of the Spirit
88 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Sunday Evening.
so appear and abound in us, that we may adorn the
doctrine of God our Savior in all things. Grant,
O Lord, that the prayers which have been, during
this day, offered unto thee may be graciously heard.
What prayer and supplication soever has been
made by any man or by all thy people, hear thou
in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do
and give to every man according to his ways and
his need ; for thou, O Lord, knowest the hearts and
the wants of all the children of men. And grant,
O Lord, that thy word, which has been read and
preached this day, may be a savor of life to those
who have heard it. May they not be forgetful
hearers, but look into the perfect law of liberty, and
so faithfully continue therein, that they may be
blest in their deed. Gracious art thou, O Lord, and
long-suffering : all day long dost thou stretch out
thy hand unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
O let not the means of knowledge and of grace
which we receive rise up in judgment and condemn
us. While we call thee Lord, may we do the things
which thou commandest, and daily grow in grace
and in the knowledge and love of God.
And wilt thou bless to our edification all the reli-
gious privileges which we have this day enjoyed. O
may thy counsels and thy precepts, and the reve-
lations of thy mercy, take root in our hearts and be
fruitful in our lives. May we never neglect the
great salvation which thy gospel brings to our ears.
While our lives, through thy goodness, shall be
prolonged, may we live to thee. Take us and ours,
O heavenly Father, under thy care and keeping,
and fit and prepare us, we humbly beseech thee,
for that eternal Sabbath and heavenly rest which
remains for the people of God. May every passing
day and week bring us nearer to those everlasting
joys which thou hast promised to those who love
thee. Keep us this night, both outwardly in oui
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Monday Morning.
bodies, and inwardly in our souls ; preserve us from
all adversities and evil thoughts, and grant that we
may rise refreshed, and be strengthened and dispos-
ed to do thy will, through Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior. Amen,
Second Week. Monday Morning.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern
all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear
our supplications and prayers. Make us truly sen-
sible of our wants and of thy goodness, and may
thy Spirit help our infirmities and make intercession
for us. Grant us, we beseech thee, the spirit to
think and to do always such things as are right,
that we, who cannot do any thing good without
thee, may, by thy aid, be enabled to live according
to thy will.
We would draw nigh, in full assurance of faith,
unto thee, who hast graciously promised that they
who ask through faith in Christ shall receive ; that
they who seek shall find. We approach thy gra-
cious throne, not trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies, beseech-
ing thee to behold us in love, not weighing our me-
rits, but pardoning our offences. We approach thee
in the name of our High Priest, who gave 'himself
a sacrifice for our sins.
If thou shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who
should stand ? but there is mercy with thee, that
thou mayest be feared, and with thee is plenteous
redemption. We beseech thee to wash us from our
iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. Enter not
into judgment with thy sinful creatures; for in thy
sight shall no man living be justified. Being justi-
8*
90 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Monday Morning.
fied by faith, may we have peace with thee our God,
through Jesus Christ.
We acknowledge, O Lord, that of ourselves we
are not able to walk according to thy will ; that from
thee all holy desires, good counsels, and just works
proceed. Grant us the constant assistance of thy
Holy Spirit, that we may please thee both in will
and deed. May we ever be found in the way of
duty, fearing God and working righteousness. O
may thy truth shine in our hearts and give us the
light of the knowledge of thy glory, in the face of
Jesus Christ. Whatever may be our state or occu-
pation, help us to walk in the way of thy com-
mandments, and preserve us from all sinful affec-
tion for worldly things. Strengthen us with might
by thy Spirit : raise our hearts and desires to hea-
venly things, and dispose all our ways towards the
attainment of everlasting salvation. In all the
changing scenes and the various perils of this mor-
tal life, may we put our whole trust in thy provi-
dential care.
We beseech thee, O God, to keep constantly in
our minds a lively remembrance of thy mercy to
us in Jesus Christ, who came into this world to seek
and to save that which was lost ; who made him-
self of no reputation, took upon him the form of a
servant, and became obedient unto death, to obtain
for us eternal life. Make us humble after the ex-
ample , jof his humility. May the spirit of love
which was in him be also in us. May we die to
sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually
mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and
daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of
living. > 9>fij ? <-
And wilt thou, O Lord, receive our supplications
and prayers for all for whom we ought to pray.
Bless our rulers and magistrates, giving them grace
to execute justice and to maintain truth. We
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 91
Second Week. Monday Morning.
pray for those who are visited with sorrows, and
all who are afflicted in mind, body, or estate, be-
seeching thee to comfort and relieve them, accord-
ing as they have need. May it please thee to pre-
serve all who travel by land or by water : may thy
presence be with them to shield them from danger
and all manner of evil. Be thou in all things their
conductor and guide, making their way prosperous
and their business successful.
We ask thy blessing upon our neighbors, rela-
tives, and friends, and for those especially who de-
sire our prayers. Do thou, the God of all mercy
and grace, who knowest what they desire and what
they need, do for them, and work in them whatever
is best for their present comfort and for their final
good. Help us, O Lord, to love and to do good
unto all men, and especially may we love those
who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and for his sake
delight in doing them good.
Give us hearts to sympathize in the joys and the
sorrows of our brethren, to weep with them who
weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. May
we feel compassion for all who need the blessings
which we enjoy. Though silver and gold we have
none, such as we have, our prayers, and sympathy,
and love, may we gladly give. Wilt thou, O mer-
ciful God, succor, bless, and comfort all who are
in danger, necessity, and tribulation. May they
who are visited with sorrow despise not thy chas-
tening, nor faint under thy rebuke ; may their
affliction, through thy blessing, work in them a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Let thy grace, O Lord, and thy blessing be with
us through the day on which we have entered.
Preserve us from -sin and from all manner of dan-
ger. Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanc-
tify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the
ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy com-
mandments, that, through thy most mighty protec-
92
GRISWOLD'S
Second Week. Monday Evening.
tion, we may be preserved in body and soul through
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Week. Monday Evening.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the aid of all who
need, and the helper of all who flee to thee for suc-
cor, let thy merciful ears be open to us, thy un-
worthy creatures, and hearken to the supplications
which we would offer in the name of Jesus Christ.
May we come unto thee duly sensible of our un-
worthiness, relying on his merits for pardon and
acceptance. We have erred and strayed from thy
righteous ways : we have followed too much the
evil devices and desires of our own hearts, and
have often offended against thy holy laws. Thou
hast taught us, O heavenly Father, that when the
wicked man turneth away from his wickedness
that he hath committed and doeth that which is
lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Help
us, O Lord, to turn from our evil ways, and to do
all those good works which thou hast ordained that
thy people should walk in them. Hide thy face
from our sins and blot out all our iniquities. The
sacrifices acceptable to thee, our God, are a broken
spirit ; a contrite heart thou wilt not despise. O
make us truly contrite, and grant us repentance
unto life. Give us grace to resist temptation, and
to mortify every evil desire. Cleanse the thoughts
of our hearts, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit.
Give us hearts, O Lord, to be thankful for thy
manifold goodness to us and to all men. Make us
thankful that we live in a land where thou art
known and worshipped : that the gospel of salva-
tion in Jesus Christ is taught amongst us, and that
we have the great privilege of searching the Scrip-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 93
Second Week. Monday Evening.
tures, and knowing the certainty of those things
wherein we have been instructed. We thank thee,
O God, for the ordinances of religion, for the means
of grace, and for all the privileges of thy sanctuary.
Give us grace, we beseech thee, so to use them, that
we may be truly members of Christ, children of
God, and inheritors of thy heavenly kingdom. Give
us the comforting assurance of thy favor and good-
ness towards us ; that we are members incorporate
in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed
company of all faithful people, and are also heirs
through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the
merits of the most precious death and passion of
thy dear Son. And we humbly beseech thee, O
heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace,
that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and
ever live to thy glory and praise.
We beseech thee, O God, to raise our hopes and
our desires above the things of time and sense, to
the high and holy place where the Lord our Sa-
vior reigns. By patient continuance in well doing,
may we seek for honor, glory, and immortality in
the world to come. Give us that faith which is the
substance of things hoped for and the evidence of
things not seen. Increase in us faith, and hope,
and charity ; and that we may obtain what thou
dost promise, make us to love that which thou
dost command. Grant us the influence of thy Spi-
rit, to convince us of sin, to awaken us to right-
eousness, and fit us to enjoy thy presence in thy
heavenly kingdom. Put away from us all hurtful
things, and give us those which are profitable.
Grant that we may be diligent and faithful in
searching the Scriptures. Open our understand-
ing, that we may know and receive what they
testify of Christ, and dispose us to hear and receive
the doctrines of eternal life.
Grant that we may do all in our power to ex-
94 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Monday Evening.
tend the knowledge of Christ and the means of
grace, and to promote the practice of pure and un-
defiled religion. And chiefly may we do it by our
own good example, and by living a life of faith in
the Son of God. May the truth, and power, and
excellency of the gospel be in our life and conduct
so displayed, that they who see it may glorify thee,
and the ignorance of foolish men be put to silence.
Enlighten our minds, increase our faith, elevate our
hopes, and so awaken our zeal, that we may run
and not be weary. May we never dishonor the re-
ligion of Christ, nor put a stumbling-block in the
way of others, but be holy in all manner of conver-
sation, and show forth thy truth and thy goodness,
both with our lips and in our lives.
Make us continually sensible that we are stew-
ards of the good things committed to our care, and
are accountable to thee for the use we make of
them. O may we never be unjust stewards, nor
bury thy talent in the earth. Preserve us, we be-
seech thee, from idleness; may we be profitably
employed in what is useful to ourselves or others ;
not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serv-
ing the Lord and redeeming the time.
And we now, O Lord, would commit ourselves
and all that concerns us into thy hands. Defend
us, while we sleep, from every evil to which we
may be exposed. Shouldst thou call us hence this
night, may it be to thyself in a better world. If
thou shalt mercifully preserve us till the morning
light, may we rise with thankful hearts, and devote
to thee the life thou givest. We ask these favors
in the name and through the merits of our blessed
Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 95
Second Week. Tuesday Morning.
Second Week. Tuesday Morning.
O HOLY, just, and merciful God, who art always
more ready to hear than men to pray, look down,
we beseech thee, with thy favor and blessing upon
us, thy dependent creatures, and accept the renewal
of our morning sacrifice of praise and prayer. Won-
derful art thou, O Lord, in goodness, and patience,
and long-suffering. Impress upon our minds a just
and lively sense of thy mercies to us and to all the
children of men.
We thank thee, O heavenly Father, that our
lives are still preserved ; that we were kept in safety
through the silent watches of the night past; and
that we are brought, encompassed with many bles-
sings, to see the light of another day, and are per-
mitted again to lift our hearts and voice to thee, in
humble adoration. We thank thee for all thy favors
of providence and grace, sensible that all our en-
joyments are the fruits of thy bounty. And chiefly,
O Lord, do we desire, with thankful adoration, to
bless thy name, that thou hast so loved the world,
as to send into it thy only Son to be our Sa-
vior, and hast graciously promised that they who
come unto thee, through faith in him, shall not
perish in their sins, but have eternal life. We
thank thee that our lot is fallen in a Christian
land ; that the Holy Scriptures, containing the reve-
lation of thy mercy in Jesus Christ, are in our
hands ; that the gospel is preached in our ears, and
that means, and ordinances, and opportunities are
still given, to instruct us in righteousness, and to
build us up in thy holy faith.
Give us grace, we beseech thee, to be duly thank-
ful for these and for all thy mercies, and to show
forth our thankfulness by making a right use of
96 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Tuesday Morning.
them. Open our minds that we may understand
the doctrines of Christ, and the duty of Christians.
Do thou, who alone canst change the hearts and
govern the affections of sinful men, create and
make in us new and contrite hearts ; sanctify our
affections and our desires, and direct all our ways
towards the attainment of everlasting salvation.
Preserve us from self-righteousness, and pride, and
from envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharita-
bleness. Purify our hearts by the indwelling of thy
Spirit, and work in us to will and to do whatever
will promote thy glory, and our own and others'
salvation. Give us that repentance which is not to
be repented of, and that faith which renews the
heart, worketh by love, and overcometh the world ;
and grant that we may so pass through the changes
and perils of this world that we may finally attain
to everlasting life.
And we beseech thee to extend thy mercy to all
mankind. May they who are now living in sin be
awakened to righteousness, and in a time accepted
turn to thee, with penitence and prayer. O may
they not perish in unbelief, but seek thee while
thou mayest be found, and call upon thee while
thou art near. Make with them, O blessed Lord,
an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of
David. Hasten the time when the light of the gos-
pel shall shine in the darkest places of the earth ;
when all nations shall bow down before thee, and
the heathen become thine inheritance.
Be merciful, O Lord, to those humble, penitent
souls, whom thy Spirit has convinced of sin, and
of judgment, and who are inquiring what they
must do to be saved. Wilt thou convince them of
righteousness, and reveal to their souls the comforts
of thy mercy in Jesus Christ, that they may go for-
ward, rejoicing to bear his cross. Direct them by
the counsels of thy heavenly wisdom, and encou-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 97
Second Week. Tuesday Morning.
rage them with a just view of thy promises of spi-
ritual aid. Give unto those who ask ; let them
who seek find ; open the door of thy heavenly king-
dom to those who knock, giving them pardon and
peace.
May it please thee to strengthen such as do stand
and to comfort and help the weak-hearted. Con-
tinue thy mercy to those whose hearts have been
renewed by a living faith. Do thou, who hast be-
gun a good work in them, perform it until the day
of Jesus Christ. Stablish, strengthen, and settle
them in the faith which was once delivered to the
saints, and fix their affections on things above. And
while the door of thy mercy is yet open, may every
sinner flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on
eternal life.
And wilt thou, O gracious Lord, be merciful to
this family and household. Our hearts are in thy
hand, and our wants and our sins are all before
thee. Cause us to be penitent and submissive to
thy will, and give us such knowledge and sense of
thy goodness, and our duty, that while we live we
may live to thee. Give us also, we pray thee, such
temporal comforts and good things of this world as
to thy unerring wisdom may seem fitting, and give
us grace rightly to use them. Direct and bless us
in all we do, by the aid and guidance of thy Holy
Spirit. May we go on from strength to strength
till we are crowned with victory. Help us to fight
the good fight of faith, and to finish our course
with joy. O may we at last receive the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
shall give unto all them who love his appearing.
Grant that our whole spirit, and soul, and body,
may be preserved pure and blameless, unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name
we offer these our humble supplications. Amen.
9 G
98 GUIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Tuesday Evening.
Second Week. Tuesday Evening.
RIGHTEOUS, adorable, and eternal God, in whom
we live and have our being, and to whose merciful
forbearance we owe it that our lives are yet pro-
longed, we thank thee for thy great goodness.
Praised be thy name, that we are permitted once
more to assemble around our family altar, and
offer thee the incense of thankful hearts. The day
is thine and the night is thine. Thou makest the
outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice.
The heavens declare thy glory, and the earth is
filled with the riches of thy goodness. It is of thy
mercy, and because thy compassions fail not, that
we are permitted still to call upon thy holy name.
But wherewith shall we, thy unworthy crea-
tures, come before thee 1 We beseech thee, O hea-
venly Father, in the name and through the merits
of our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, to forgive our
sins, and favorably with mercy to hear our prayers.
Thou knowest, O Lord, our necessities before we
ask in prayer, and our ignorance of what we ought
to pray for. May thy Spirit help our infirmities
and teach us how to pray. Let the words of our
mouth and the desire of our heart be acceptable in
thy sight, through the worthiness of Jesus Christ,
who is our strength and our Redeemer. Grant that
we, who are the creatures of thy power, may be-
come the subjects of thy grace.
The heart of man is deceitful and desperately
wicked. Who can tell how often he offendeth?
Cleanse us, we beseech thee, from our secret faults.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts ; prove us
and examine our thoughts. Look if there be any
way of wickedness in us, and lead us in the way
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 99
Second Week. Tuesday Evening.
of eternal life. O deal not with us according to our
sins, nor reward us as our transgressions deserve.
To whom can we go for pardon and peace but
to thee, O Lord, who alone hast the words of eternal
life? but to thee, who hast graciously promised,
that if the wicked forsake his way and the un-
righteous man his thoughts, and turn to thee, thou
wilt have mercy upon him, and abundantly pardon 1
We beseech thee to pardon our sins and renew a
right spirit within us. Grant us that righteousness
which is by faith in Jesus Christ. Sanctify and
govern our hearts and our bodies, in the ways of
thy laws and in the works of thy commandments,
and grant that our hopes and our desires may cen-
tre in Jesus Christ, our only Savior, and our souls
be united with him, in a holy faith, as branches
are with the vine. May he be made unto us wis-
dom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and re-
demption, and all our glorying be in him. Give us
grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put
upon us the armor of light, while we sojourn in this
state of mortality, in which our Savior once visited
us in great humility. And in the last day, when he
shall come again, in glorious majesty, to judge the
world, grant that we may rise to life immortal,
through him, who died for our sins and rose again
for our justification.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, for all mankind ; may
the light of thy truth extend through the world,
and increase, until all the nations of the earth shall
rejoice in thy salvation. Bless all thy churches
and all thy people, and those especially with whom
we are connected in the fellowship of the gospel.
May Zion be in prosperity ; peace be within her
walls, and plenteousness within her palaces. And
may the kingdoms of the earth become the king-
doms of the Lord and of his Christ.
And we pray thee, O Lord, to remember, and
100 CiRISWOLD's PRAYERS.
Second Week. Tuesday Evening.
help us to remember the afflicted and distressed.
Hearken to the sighing of the needy; cause the
widow's heart to sing for joy, and in thee may the
fatherless find mercy. Give to them who mourn in
Zion beauty for ashes, and the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness. Comfort all who are
visited with affliction. Sanctify their sorrows, and
raise their minds from the world to thee.
Look in mercy upon those who are visited with
sickness and bodily distress. May they bow with
submission under thy rod, knowing who hath ap-
pointed it, and through thy grace make all the
improvement which thou requirest. Help them to
glorify thee, whether it be by life or by death,
knowing that to live is Christ, and to die is gain, to
those who die in the Lord.
May we remember them who are in bonds as
bound with them, and them who suffer adversity
as being ourselves also in the flesh. Let thy good-
ness, in preserving us from many evils which others
suffer, make us humble and compassionate, and
thankful to thee, who makest one to differ from
another and art equally good to all.
We beseech thee to comfort and to strengthen all
such as are fearful of thy terrors and distrustful of
thy mercy. The bruised reed thou wilt not break;
a broken and contrite heart thou wilt not despise.
May all who mourn for their sins be comforted
through thy mercy in Jesus Christ. In the light
of thy reconciled countenance, may they dwell in
peace and rejoice in hope. And grant, O Lord, we
may not, for any troubles of life, or allurements of
this world, lose our confidence in thee, nor place it
in any other.
Make us thankful for the mercies of the day
past, and that we are yet spared to speak of thy
goodness. Preserve us, we pray thee, through the
perils of this night. Let no evil happen unto us,
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 101
Second Week. Wednesday Morning.
nor plague come nigh our dwelling. May we lie
down in peace and take our rest, and through thy
mercy rise again in safety. And while we live
may we live to thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior. Amen.
Second Week. Wednesday Morning.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, the Creator and
Preserver of all mankind ; the Giver of all spiritual
grace and the Author of everlasting life, we desire
humbly to look this morning unto thee, as our Fa-
ther, who art in heaven, and the hope of all the
ends of the earth. The eyes of all wait upon thee,
and thou givest them their meat in due season ;
thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living
with plenteousness. Through thy goodness are we
again permitted to unite in praising thee for thy
goodness, and in asking for those things which we
daily need. And may thy Spirit help us to ask
for such good things as to thy wisdom it may seem
fitting to bestow. We acknowledge that we are
unworthy to ask or to receive of thee any thing
good. Our sins deserve thy displeasure ; we have
followed the evil devices and desires of our own
hearts. Work in us, we beseech thee, a hearty
contrition, that we may obtain, through Jesus Christ,
perfect remission and forgiveness.
With thankful hearts we would bless thy name,
that to thee, O Lord, belong mercy and forgiveness;
that through thy love to mankind, and the redemp-
tion that is in Jesus Christ, thou canst be just in
justifying them who believe in him. We bless thee
that life and immortality are brought to light in
his gospel, and for all thy goodness and loving kind-
9*
102 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Wednesday Morning.
ness to us and to all mankind. We thank thee that
our lot has fallen where his gospel is preached and
its ordinances administered, and that we may know
from childhood those Scriptures, which, if truly re-
ceived, will make us wise unto salvation. We
thank thee for the ministry of those who are or-
dained to preach thy word ; for the means of grace,
and for all the privileges of thy sanctuary.
Give us hearts to be duly thankful that we are
brought in safety to see the light of another day, and
that we again have the opportunity of renewing our
humble sacrifice of praise and prayer. We beseech
thee to incline our hearts unto thy testimonies, and
to guide our steps in the way of thy precepts. May
we love the things which thou commandest, and
strive for those which thou dost promise. Give us
just views of ourselves, what we are and what we
need. Do for us and work in us that which thou
shalt see fitting for our present comfort and eternal
good. Increase our faith, enliven our hope, and
shed abroad thy love in our hearts. Give us grace
to follow after that charity which is the bond of
perfectness ; which suffereth long and is kind ;
which envieth not and vaunteth not itself; is not
easily provoked and thinketh no evil. May we
never rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth.
And accept, O Lord, our prayers for all our fel-
low-men, that they may be subjects of thy mercy
and obedient to thy will. Bless thy faithful people,
wherever they are dispersed throughout the world ;
peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel
of God. Grant that, by the operation of thy Spirit,
all Christians may be so joined together in unity
and love, that they may be a holy temple accepta-
ble unto thee. Prosper thy word wherever it is
spoken and send it where it is not heard, that thy
way be known through all the earth, thy saving
health among all nations. Let the people whom
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 103
Second Week. Wednesday Morning.
thou hast redeemed praise thee, O Lord ; let all the
people praise thee. May the borders of Zion be en-
larged, till all the kingdoms of the earth become the
kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ.
Grant that the ministers of thy word may be
faithful stewards of thy mysteries and the instru-
ments of converting men to God, and of saving
themselves and others. Open to them an effectual
door of usefulness. Give them, we beseech thee,
utterance, that they may open their mouth with
boldness to make known the mystery of the gos-
pel : may they rightly divide the word, and give
to all their portion of meat in due season; and
may their own lives bear testimony to the truths
which they teach. And grant that all who are de-
siring or designed for the office of that sacred mi-
nistry, may, by thy sanctifying Spirit, be prepared
for a faithful and successful discharge of its duties.
Prepare them to labor in word and doctrine, in sea-
son and out of season, and to spend and be spent
in thy work. And give us grace so to account of
them as stewards of thy mysteries. To those who
are faithfin in word and doctrine, may we render
double honor.
Behold, O Lord, in thy mercy, Israel after the
flesh. Remove the veil of ignorance which blinds
the mind of the Jews : may they see and know that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and
the only Savior of the world ; and may they seek
with penitence and faith Him whom their fathers
rejected. Pity that blindness which has in part
happened unto Israel, and hasten on the time when,
as the natural branches, they shall be grafted into
their own olive tree ; when the fulness of the Gen-
tiles shall come in, and all Israel shall be saved.
We pray for thy blessing upon our churches
upon our country upon our rulers, and upon all
who are in authority. Give them wisdom and
104 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Wednesday Evening.
grace, that they may execute justice and maintain
truth ; and that thy people, being secured by the
ministration of wise and equal laws, may serve
thee in all godly quietness.
Pardon, O Lord, our sins and accept our prayers,
granting us those good things which we are not
worthy to ask, but in the name and through the
merits of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Week. Wednesday Evening.
GREAT and eternal God, the infinite Jehovah, who
only hast immortality, and dwellest in the light
which no man can approach unto, we humbly look
unto thee as the Father of our spirits, and the Giver
of all good. Whom have we in heaven but thee,
and who is there on earth that we can desire in
comparison of thee ! Thou alone hast the words
of eternal life, and art the hope of all the ends of
the world. Thou hast laid the foundation of the
earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hand.
They shall perish, but thou shall endure, and thy
years shall have no end. Though thy dwelling 'is
in the heavens, and thy glory above them, yet thou
dost humble thyself to behold the things that are in
the earth : thou raisest the poor out of the dust ;
thou hearest the prayer of the weak and destitute.
Let thine ears, we beseech thee, be attentive to
our humble supplication. We would approach
thee, O Lord, not trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies, and in the
merits of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. May thy
blessed Spirit aid our devotions, sanctify our hearts,
and raise our affections from this world to thee.
Open thou our lips, that our mouth may show forth
thy praise.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 105
Second Week. Wednesday Evening.
Make us deeply sensible that thou art in heaven
and we upon earth ; that thou art wise, and just,
and good, while we are blind, and frail, and sin-
ful. With humble reverence may we rejoice that
thou art a God hearing prayer and forgiving sin ;
and art more ready to give good gifts than we to
ask. Extend to us, O Lord, thy pardoning mercy,
forgiving our multiplied offences, and giving us
those good things, which of ourselves we are not
worthy to pray for. Be merciful unto us arid bless
us, and cause thy face to shine upon us. Grant
that thy way may be known upon earth ; thy sav-
ing health among all nations. Let the people
praise thee, O Lord ; let all the people praise thee.
Fill us with hope and joy in believing thy pro-
mises in Jesus Christ : may we esteem all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of him.
May we know him and the power of his resurrec-
tion, and be in all things conformed to his image,
knowing that he who hath the Son hath life, and
shall never come into condemnation. May we be
followers of God, as dear children, and be perfect
in love, as our Father in heaven is perfect. Give
us grace to put on, as the elect of God, bowels of
mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness
and long-suffering, forbearing one another, and for-
giving one another. Teach us what thou wilt have
us to do, and make us ready to every good work.
We beseech thee, O Lord, to preserve us from all
self-righteousness, and vain reliance on the merits
of what we do. May we never forget that by grace
we are saved, through faith, and that not of our-
selves it is the gift of God. Give us, we beseech
thee, a right view of that living faith in Christ
which does not make void, but establishes the law ;
which renews the heart, and is fruitful in good
works. May we ever remember that in Jesus
Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor
106 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Wednesday Evening.
uncircuracision, but faith which worketh by love
and keepeth.the commandments of God. May we
not deceive ourselves, by trusting in the Savior,
while we neglect his great salvation; by calling
him Lord, while we do not the things which he
commands. O suffer us not to perish amidst the
means designed to save us. May we never be
weary in doing well. Though faint may we still
be pursuing, pressing towards the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let our trust and our hope be ever in him. As
our Prophet, may we hearken to his word ; as our
Priest, let our trust be in the merits of his one sa-
crifice for sins ; and as our King, may we faithfully
observe his precepts.
Help us, O Lord, to love our neighbor as we love
ourselves, and to perform faithfully every duty
which we owe to others. Preserve us from envy,
selfishness and pride, and from all manner of un-
charitableness. Give us grace to bear with pa-
tience and a forgiving spirit the faults of men, and
the injuries of those who may do us wrong, not
rendering evil for evil, but endeavoring to overcome
evil with good. Let the spirit which was in our
Savior Christ, his love and forbearance and long-
suffering, be also in us. As he loved us, may we
also love one another. Though pains or sorrows
should be our portion, let us always rejoice in the
good and prosperity of other people, and be ever
ready to praise thee for thy goodness, and for all
the benefits bestowed upon our fellow-men. Espe-
cially give us grace to rejoice in their hopes of sal-
vation ; in their repentance, and faith, and obedi-
ence to thy holy word.
We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to accept
this our evening sacrifice. Give us hearts to be
thankful for all thy goodness, and especially for the
favors of the day past ; and we humbly ask for thy
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 107
Second Week. Thursday Morning.
protection through this night. Preserve us, we pray
thee, from every evil ; refresh our bodies with need-
ful rest ; and may we rise in the morning with thank-
ful hearts disposed to do thy will. We ask these
things in the name of our only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
And to the God of our salvation, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
Second Week. Thursday Morning.
ADORABLE and everliving God, whose throne is the
highest heaven and the earth thy footstool, we de-
sire this morning to raise our heart and our voice
to thee, as the Father of mercies; the giver of all
good ; the God of all comfort. Thou dost accord-
ing to thy will in the armies of heaven and among
the inhabitants of the earth. The day is thine and
the night is thine, and as thou art graciously pleased
to renew our time, and our strength, and our com-
forts, help us to renew our purposes to walk in the
way of thy commandments. May our souls praise
thee, who saveth our life from destruction, and
crowneth us with mercy and loving kindness. Do
thou, who hast brought us safely to the beginning
of this day, defend us from its perils, and grant
that all we do may be ordered by thy governance
and righteous in thy sight. Whether we eat, or
drink, or whatsoever we do, may it be to thy glory
in Jesus Christ.
Let our prayer, we beseech thee, come before
thee as the morning incense. We trust not in our
own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great
mercies. We are not worthy to appear before thee,
nor to ask or receive the smallest favor. Enter not
108 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Thursday Morning.
into judgment with thy sinful creatures ; for in thy
sight shall no man living be justified. With the
light of the morning, may we enjoy the light of thy
countenance. Grant that the Sun of Righteousness
may enlighten our souls in the ways of heavenly
wisdom, and our path be as the shining light, which
shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Do
thou, who makest the outgoings of the morning to
rejoice, help us to walk in the way of thy com-
mandments, and faithfully to discharge the duties
of our several stations. Preserve us from all idola-
trous affection for worldly things. May we seek
first and as the greatest good the kingdom of God
and his righteousness ; and while we are diligent in
our lawful business, may we use the world as not
abusing it. Do thou, who art about our bed and
about our paths, direct us in the way that we should
go, and suffer not our feet to slip.
We pray for thy blessing upon this family ; may
our youth be trained up in the nurture and admoni-
tion of the Lord, and through thy grace never de-
part from the way in which they should go, nor
from the holy commandment given unto them.
Pour thy blessing upon our seed, and thy Spirit up-
on our offspring ; that our sons may be as plants
growing in thy vineyard, and our daughters be
adorned with the ornament of a Christian spirit.
Give thy blessing to all the rising generation. May
they remember their Creator in the days of their
youth ; may they seek thee while thou mayst be
found and call upon thee while thou art near. Pre-
serve them from the snares and temptations of this
evil world. May they remember the Lord's day to
keep it holy, rejoicing to view it, not as a burthen,
but as being made for man, and knowing that the
Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.
Help those, O Lord, who are advanced to riper
years, to do with diligence what their hands find
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 109
Second Week. Thursday Morning.
to do, while the day continues, and before the night
cometh in which no man can work. Awaken to
righteousness the aged; let the hoary head be a
crown of glory. May we all aspire to that honora-
ble age which standeth not in length of time, nor
is measured by number of years ; to that wisdom
which is the gray hair unto man, and an unspotted
life, which is old age.
Increase our love and Christian affection for all
mankind. May we weep with those who weep,
and rejoice with them that rejoice, and pray for all
who desire and all who need our prayers. Be mer-
ciful, we beseech thee, O be merciful to them who
do not pray for themselves. May they be con-
vinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment,
and call upon thee in a time accepted.
Be merciful to those who are far from the king-
dom of God. By the power of thy grace, bring
them near to thyself, that they may see the light of
thy truth, and rejoice in thy salvation. Hear our
prayer for the poor and needy ; such as we have,
our prayers, at least, may we ever be ready to give,
and according to our means and opportunity bestow
upon them the things they need. Grant them grace
to be contented and resigned to thy will : may they
be rich in faith ; heirs of thy heavenly kingdom, re-
joicing in hope, and knowing that all things work
for good to those who love and fear thee.
Preserve them who are rich from being high-
minded and trusting too much in worldly things.
Let them not forget who it is that giveth men pow-
er to get wealth, and maketh them to differ from
the poor and wretched. Help them to be faithful
stewards of the wealth and other good things com-
mitted to their trust. May they be ready to give
and glad to distribute, laying up for themselves a
good foundation against the time to come, that they
may attain eternal life.
10
110 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Thursday Evening.
We ask thy blessing, O Lord, upon our friends
and benefactors. May we ever remember, with
grateful affection, all who have done us good, and
wilt thou reward them for their kindness and love.
Bless, we beseech thee, all who are near and dear
to us : may they be dear to thee, and under thy
merciful care and protection. Preserve us from
ingratitude, and help us to make due returns of kind
affection to all who have been kind to us.
Regard with favor the people of this our country,
and be gracious to our native land. May that
righteousness increase which exalteth a nation;
and preserve us, we entreat thee, from sin, which
is a reproach to any people, and has been the ruin
of thousands.
We beseech thee, O Lord, to incline thine ears to
us who have now made our prayers and supplica-
tions unto thee, and grant that the things which we
have asked may mercifully be obtained, to our
comfort, and to thy glory, through Jesus Christ,
our blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
Second Week. Thursday Evening.
O LORD God our heavenly Father, who hast pro-
mised, by thy Son, that where two or three are
gathered together in his name, he will be with
them, and that if a few shall agree on earth, as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be
done for them, behold with thy favor and blessing
us few in his name here assembled, who would
unite in asking of thee those things which are re-
quisite and necessary for our bodily comfort and for
our spiritual good. Make us duly thankful that
thou dost vouchsafe to forgive the sins, and to hear
the prayers, and to relieve the wants of thy unwor-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. Ill
Second Week. Thursday Evening.
thy creatures. For this thy great goodness we
bless thy holy name, beseeching thee to give us the
spirit of grace and supplication, and help us to ask
for such things as we truly need.
We entreat thee, O merciful God, to forgive our
sins, to accept our prayers, to sanctify our hearts and
renew a right spirit within us ; and grant that we
may ever hereafter serve and please thee in new-
ness of life. Awaken in our minds such a sense of
thy love and of thy goodness, that we, loving thee
above all things, may walk in thy ways and attain
to thy promises, which exceed all that we can ask
or think. Do thou, who hast delivered our soul
from death, preserve our feet from falling, and give
us grace to walk according to thy holy precepts.
According to the riches of thy grace, strengthen us
with might by thy Spirit in the inner man ; that
Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith ; that we
may be rooted and grounded in love ; that we may
know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
and be filled with all the fulness of God.
Prepare us, O Lord, for all the changes of this
present world : may we know how to be abased
and how to abound, and learn, in whatever state
we are, therewith to be contented. Give us grace
to cast away the works of darkness and to put up-
on us the armor of light ; to do justly, love mercy
and walk humbly with God. O may thy Spirit
bear witness with our spirit, that we are thy chil-
dren and joint heirs with Christ of thy heavenly
kingdom.
And the blessings which we supplicate for our-
selves, would we ask for our fellow-men. We be-
seech thee to extend the light of thy truth and the
power of thy grace through the darkness of this
sinful world, and among all the nations of the
earth. May our heart's desire and prayer for Israel
be that they may be saved. Call in the Jews, with
112 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Thursday Evening.
the fulness of the Gentiles ; say to the north, Give
up, and to the south, Keep not back. Bring thy
sons from far, and thy daughters from the ends of
the earth.
We beseech thee to hear our prayer for the un-
numbered millions who still remain in heathen
darkness. Grant that the Sun of Righteousness
may rise upon them Avith healing in his wings. O
wilt thou raise up and send forth laborers into this
great harvest. Let thy Spirit and the richest bless-
ings of thy grace be with those ministers of thy
word, who, with their life in their hand, and thy
love in their hearts, go forth to preach the gospel in
foreign lands. Preserve their health and give them
aid from above : according to their day may their
strength be. Stretch out thine arm with power
until thou hast obtained the heathen for thine inhe-
ritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy
possession.
Give thy blessing to those who associate for be-
nevolent and religious objects ; who contribute of
their substance and by their prayers to the promo-
tion of Christian knowledge and to the propagation
of the gospel in foreign parts. Wilt thou enlarge
their means and bless their labors.
And we beseech thee to keep thy household, the
church, in continual godliness, and preserve it by
thy perpetual mercy. Enlarge its borders-, and dai-
ly add to it such as shall be saved. Defend it from
error in faith and practice, and to all its members
give the abundance of thy grace, that they may
adorn their profession by living soberly, righteously
and godly in this present world. We pray espe-
cially for that part of thy church to which we be-
long, and for those of thy people with whom we are
more particularly connected in religious privileges.
Strengthen, we beseech thee, those who stand;
comfort and help the weak and wavering ; raise up
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 113
Second Week. Friday Morning.
those who fall, and bring all who err into the way
of truth. May grace and mercy and peace be upon
all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
And wilt thou grant to all, who profess and call
themselves Christians, union, peace and love. May
they, with one heart and one mind, hold the true
doctrines of eternal life, and strive together for the
faith of the gospel. May we never forget that the
end of the commandment is charity, without which
all our words and faith and works are nothing.
May we abound in the fruit of the Spirit, which is
in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Pre-
serve us from all heresy and schism : may we do
nothing which will cause or perpetuate divisions
among the disciples of Jesus Christ. Him that is
weak in the faith may we receive in love, rather
than to doubtful disputations. Help us to rejoice
in the good that is done by all or any Christians of
any name : and especially that Christ is preached,
and that the doctrines of life are made known to
men.
Give us, O Lord, a right judgment in all things,
and hearts disposed in all things to do right ; and
be thou the strength of our heart and our portion
forever. We ask these things in the name and
through the mediation of Jesus Christ, to whom,
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and
praise, both now and ever. Amen.
Second Week. Friday Morning.
ADORABLE and everliving God, to whose patient
goodness we owe it that we thy dependent creatures
are again permitted to bow our knees and unite in
prayer before thee, let, we beseech thee, thine ears
be attentive to our humble supplications. Thank-
H
114 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Friday Morning.
fill for the preservation of another night, and the
renewal of thy mercies this morning, and sensible
that our wants are also renewed, we pray thee, O
heavenly Father, to accept our thanks and hear our
prayers. We praise thee for thy goodness ; we ac-
knowledge our transgressions, and we entreat thee,
for the worthiness of our Savior Christ, to blot our
offences and to wash away our sins. There is not
a thought in our heart but thou, O Lord, knowest
it altogether. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that the wor-
ship which we now offer may please thee, and that
the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy.
We beseech thee, O Lord, to give us that know-
ledge of thy word and thy will which will make
us wise unto salvation. Wilt thou reveal thyself
to us as thou dost not to the world, that we may
know thee the true God, and Jesus Christ whom
thou hast sent. May thy law be our study and our
delight, and thy Holy Spirit dwell within us, and
so sanctify our thoughts and govern our wills, that
we may present our bodies a living sacrifice holy
and acceptable unto thee, which is our reasonable
service. As thou, O Lord, art holy ; so may we be
holy in all manner of conversation : and as He, who
lived and died for our benefit, spent his life in doing
good ; so may we never be weary in well-doing.
We are sensible that at best we are imperfect,
and that our best deeds merit punishment, rather
than reward. Great is thy mercy in accepting
unworthy sinners, and justifying those who have
transgressed thy laws; unspeakable thy goodness
in promising, through faith in Christ, immortal life
to those who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Make us truly thankful for thy mercies, and in all
things obedient to thy will.
Give us hearts, O Lord, to feel and to pray for
our fellow-men. May the truths of thy word be
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 115
Second Week. Friday Morning.
grafted in their hearts and fruitful in their lives.
Let not those who hear the gospel of their Savior
Christ neglect his great salvation. O let not them,
who have transgressed thy laws, add to their sins
by refusing thy offered mercy. When thou callest,
give them ears to hear ; when thou stretchest out
thy hand to save may all regard it.
We ask for thy blessing upon our neighbors, rela-
tives and friends. Unite them all in friendship,
peace and love; give them prosperity, and every
blessing of life and religion. May every heart be
filled with thankfulness for thy unbounded good-
ness. May all the habitations of Christians be
houses of prayer, and every family offer thee daily
the incense of holy, thankful hearts.
Help all thy people to walk with wisdom and
prudence towards those who are without the pale
of thy church, and to grow in grace and in the
knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Endue them
with spiritual gifts. Let love be without dissimu-
lation. Preserve them from bigotry and from all
uncharitableness. May they be kindly affectioned
one towards another, with brotherly love ; in honor
preferring one another. May all bitterness and evil-
speaking be put away from them, with all malice.
May they mind not high things, but condescend to
men of low estate, and endeavor, as much as is
possible, to live peaceably with all men.
May it please thee, O God, to give to all thy peo-
ple increase of grace : may they hear meekly thy
word, and receive it with pure affection and bring
forth the fruits of the Spirit. May it please thee to
succor, help and comfort all who are in danger,
necessity and tribulation. Wilt thou, O Lord, pre-
serve all who travel, by land or by water. Grant
that they who are called to journey, who have
occasion to travel to distant countries and to various
parts of the earth, may be under the constant care
116 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Friday Morning.
and protection of thy good providence. [And
him especially who, &c. Any particular case may
here be mentioned.] Keep them in safety to their
journey's end. In all dangers of soul or body
cover them with ftie shadow of thy wings : give
thy angels charge over them, to keep them in all
their ways. May thy merciful goodness lead and
follow them in all their pilgrimage, giving success
to the business in which they may be engaged, and
making all their affairs prosperous and of happy
termination. Be with them, we beseech thee, in all
the journey of life, and bring them at last to thy
holy, heavenly rest.
Grant, O Lord, that all they who go down to the
sea in ships and do business on the great waters of
the deep, may be under thy special care and keep-
ing. They are called to see the wonders of thy
hand, and how great is thy power, which the winds
and the seas obey. We earnestly commend them
to thy providential care, [and him especially, for
whose preservation on the great deep we parti-
cularly desire to offer up our prayers.] Do thou,
who alone spreadest out the heavens and rulest the
raging of the sea, protect them through the path of
the mighty waters. Though the floods lift up their
voice and their waves, thou, Lord on high, art
mightier than many waters. Guard them in the
time of peril; preserve them from sickness, from
the violence of enemies, and from every evil to
which they may be exposed. Conduct them in
safety to the haven where they would be, with a
thankful sense of thy mercy. Hear us, O Lord, for
the sake of thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 117
Second Week. Friday Evening.
Second Week. Friday Evening.
O LORD God of our salvation, who art the hope
of all the ends of the earth ; all eyesjtf ait upon thee
as the Giver of life and breath, and of all things
good. Thy glory is above the heavens : thou hast
created all things and upholdest them with thine
almighty ,hand. In the name of Jesus Christ we
bow at thy footstool, to thank thee for the mercies
of the day past, and humbly to ask for the continu-
ance of thy goodness.
We desire, O heavenly Father, to acknowledge
our un worthiness and to bewail the sins which
from time to time we have committed, in thought,
word and deed, provoking thy just wrath against
us. Give us grace, most merciful God, truly to re-
pent, and to be heartily sorry for all our misdoings.
The remembrance of them is grievous ; the burthen
of them is intolerable. For the sake of Jesus Christ
forgive us what is past, and grant that we may ever
hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life.
And because without thee we are. unable to please
thee, mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may, in
all things, direct and rule our hearts.
Give us grace to receive the record that thou
hast given unto us eternal life, and this life is in
thy Son. May we look to him as our Advocate
with the Father ; on him depend for pardon and
life, and may all our glorying be in him. We
would desire above all things to be accepted in him,
and have redemption through his blood, viewing
him as the end of the law for righteousness to those
who believe.
Wonderfully hast thou manifested thy love to our
fallen- race, in that, whilst we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us, and that salvation is offered to
118 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Friday Evening.
all through faith in him. Herein is love indeed ;
not that we loved God, but that thou hast loved us,
and hast given him to be the propitiation for our
sins. Grant that our souls may be united with him
by a divine and living faith. What things have
been gain to us may we count but loss for Christ.
May we ever know him, and the power of his re-
surrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings ;
and may we be made conformable to his death, by
dying to sin, and rising again unto righteousness.
Deliver us, we entreat thee, from the dominion of
sin, and save us, by the washing of regeneration
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Grant, O Lord, that the love of Christ may con-
strain us, and that, as he loved us, we also may love
one another. In all our intercourse with our Chris-
tian brethren and with the world may we follow
after that charity which is the bond of perfectness,
and the fulfilling of the whole law.
Preserve us from inordinate affections and desire
of worldly things. May we learn, in whatsoever
state we are, therewith to be content. Deliver us
from covetousness, which is idolatry and the root
of all evil. In seasons of prosperity make us hum-
ble, and in adversity resigned to thy will. We be-
seech thee to give us all such good things, temporal
and spiritual, as are needful to our present comfort
and peace, and give us grace rightly to use them.
May all our conversation be such as becometh the
gospel of Christ. Knowing that by our words we
shall be justified and by our words condemned,
may we set a watch at the door of our lips, that
we may speak evil of no man ; and take heed to
our ways, that we offend not with our tongue.
Help us ever to speak the truth in love, having our
conversation in the world in simplicity and godly
sincerity.
And we desire, O God, in our prayer, to remem-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 119
Second Week. Friday Evening.
ber the wants of our neighbors, beseeching thee,
who knowest the hearts and the wants of all men,
to give them what they need. So far as thou shalt
see it to be fitting, and that it will promote their
best good, give them, we pray thee, health and
prosperity and peace. Chiefly we pray that they
may be brought to know and to love thy truth, and
to be partakers of thy grace and of thy salvation in
Jesus Christ.
Have mercy upon all who are erring and straying
from thy righteous ways, having no sure hope and
without God in the world. May thy Spirit con-
vince them of their evil ways, and fetch them home
to thy flock, and to the fold of the one Shepherd,
Jesus Christ.
Extend, we entreat thee, the blessings of useful
knowledge, rational freedom and true religion to all
the people of the earth. May harmony and friendly
intercourse unite all nations. Preserve them from
injustice, contention and pride, and so rule their
hearts and direct their ways, that they may walk
in love and dwell in peace. O hasten the time
when wars shall cease in all the world ; when na-
tion shall no more lift up sword against nation, nor
kingdom against kingdom ; when all shall submit
to thy righteousness, and learn war no more.
Let thy blessing attend thy word, wherever it is
preached throughout the world. From the rising
of the sun unto the going down of the same may thy
name be great among the Gentiles, and in every
place incense be offered unto thy name and a pure
offering. Send thy word and the means of grace to
all who are yet destitute, and make thy truth to
them a savor of life. Arrest the progress of ungod-
liness and wrong, till the wickedness of the wicked
shall come to an end.
Bless all our institutions designed for the spread
of the gospel in foreign lands and for the promotion
120 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Saturday Morning.
of truth and righteousness and peace among our-
selves.
And now we desire, O thou Keeper of Israel, who
never slumberest nor sleepest, to commend ourselves
and all that appertains to us to thy merciful care
and keeping. Thy power has preserved us through
the day past ; by thy great mercy defend us, we
beseech thee, from all perils and dangers of this
night, for the love of thy only Son, our Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Week. Saturday Morning.
O ETERNAL God, mighty in power, and of majesty
incomprehensible, whom the heaven of heavens
cannot contain, and who yet, in thy wonderful
mercy, dost vouchsafe to hear the prayers of those
whom Christ has redeemed from sin and death,
look in mercy upon us the chief of sinners. Grant
us the aid of thy Spirit, that we may approach thee
with humility, with lips unfeigned and with
hearts sincere, and in the name of Him who died
for our sins and rose again for our justification.
May our reliance be on his merits, and on thy pro-
mise of pardon and peace through faith in him.
Help us to pray according to thy will, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in every
time of need. Let the words of our mouth and the
desires of our heart be acceptable in thy sight.
And wilt thou impress upon our minds a deep
and permanent sense of thy goodness. Abundant
are the mercies, temporal and spiritual, which are
our happy portion. Through many dangers and
deaths, seen and unseen, hast thou conducted us
from the commencement of our lives to this present
time. Many blessings do we enjoy, of which others
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 121
Second Week. Saturday Morning.
are deprived. What shall we render unto thee, O
Lord, for all thy benefits ! Help us to take the
cup of salvation, and to call upon thy name, as
the Giver of all good, and our only refuge in time
of need. May thy goodness which sustained us
through the silent watches of the night, be our
guide and protection during the active labors of the
present day. Defend us from sin, and from every
danger. May all our conduct be ordered by thy
governance and righteous in thy sight.
Thou hast taught us to make prayers and suppli-
cations, and to give thanks for all mankind, and
we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions
of men, that thou would be pleased to make thy
ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all
nations. They are the work of thy hand and the
creatures of thy care : may they know that thou
hast so loved them, as to give thy Son to die for
their sins, and may they rejoice in thy salvation.
We ask for the continuance of thy blessings upon
this our favored country. Thou hast distinguished
us by unnumbered mercies, and given us a great
name among the nations of the earth. We would
call to remembrance thy mercies, which have ever
been of old. We have heard with our ears, and our
fathers have declared unto us the noble works which
thou didst in their days, and in the old time before
them. Be with us, O God, and make us a nation
fearing thee. Be thou our safeguard and defence,
May salvation be to us for walls ; our officers be
peace, and our exactors righteousness : surely trust-
ing in thy defence, may we not fear the power of
any adversaries. Bless the government and all the
people of the United States, and of this State espe-
cially in which we live, with wisdom, righteousness
and peace. Give counsel to our counsellors, and
teach our senators wisdom. Bless all who are set
in authority over us, and so guide their counsels
11
122 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Saturday Morning.
strengthen their hands, that the hearts of the diso-
bedient may be turned to the wisdom of the just,
and our people serve thee in quietness and peace.
And grant, O Lord, that a sense of the many and
great blessings which, as a people and a nation, we
enjoy, may engage our hearts and lives in the ways
of thy laws, and in the works of thy command-
ments. May we not forget that it is thou who
makest us to differ from others. May we not be
high-minded, but fear. Preserve us from a vain
confidence of boasting; from self-dependence, and
from party dissensions. May we not use our liberty
for a cloak of maliciousness, but follow, after chari-
ty, and the things which make for peace. Help us
to enjoy the bounty which thy hand bestows, with
temperance, sobriety and thankfulness to thee.
Defend us from pride, selfishness, and love of the
world. Dispose us in all things to give that mea-
sure to others which we exact from them, and
to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present
world.
We ask too for thy blessing upon all our churches
and religious institutions, that they may be con-
formed to thy will and instruments of promoting
thy truth. Give them grace to look with a single
eye to thy glory, and to the best interests of man-
kind. May they follow after the things wherewith
one may edify another. Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory ; and let there be no
divisions among us, but help us rather to stand fast
in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for
the faith of the gospel. May thy truth spread and
godliness increase throughout the earth, and all who
profess the faith of Christ walk worthy of their vo-
cation. Enlarge the borders of the Redeemer's
kingdom, till to the name of Jesus every knee shall
bow, and all the ends of the earth shall rejoice to
call him Lord.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 123
Second Week. Saturday Evening.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, and behold us [of this
family] with thy love and favor. Enlighten our
minds with the truths of the blessed gospel; graft
in our hearts the love of thy name ; increase in us
true religion ; nourish us with all goodness, and of
thy great mercy guide and bless us in all we do,
that in this world we may live to thy glory, and in
the world to come enjoy eternal life, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Second Week. Saturday Evening.
ALMIGHTY and overliving God, unto whom all
hearts are open and all desires known, let our
prayers, we beseech thee, be as incense and as
an evening sacrifice. Cleanse our hearts and sanc-
tify our affections, and let thy ears be attentive to
our supplications. May thy Spirit help us to ask
for such things as are fit for us to receive, and
which we truly need.
We are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to
offer unto thee any sacrifice, or to ask for any bles-
sing, and our humblest prayers and sincerest sup-
plications will need thy pardon. Daily and often
have we offended against thee, who art holy, good
and merciful. Trusting not in our own righteous-
ness, but in thy great mercy through Jesus Christ,
we would bow this evening in humble supplication
before thy throne. Create and make in us new and
contrite hearts; grant us, through thy grace, re-
pentance not to be repented of, and pardon and
remission of our sins.
Make us truly sensible of our wants and of thy
goodness, and help us to cry earnestly unto thee, to
whom belong mercy and forgiveness. Grant unto
us a hearty desire to pray, and let thy Spirit direct
124 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Second Week. Saturday Evening.
and aid our devotions, that we may worship thee
in spirit and in truth. Dispose us to be penitent
and humble, and to serve thee in all godliness of
living. May we be careful to maintain good works,
while we trust only in the merits of our Savior.
Give us grace to walk before thee in all lowliness,
meekness and long-suffering, forbearing one another
in love. Give us piety and wisdom that we may
accommodate our desires and our whole conduct to
the state of life in which it shall please thee to
place us, ever praying that thy will may be done.
In seasons of affliction may we neither despise thy
chastening nor faint under thy rebukes, but in our
patience possess our souls. Under bereavements,
may we never murmur, nor charge God foolishly ;
but call to mind the days that are past, and remem-
ber thy mercies which have ever been of old, and
how little we deserve the blessings which are con-
tinued to us. May we not forget that we must
through much tribulation enter the kingdom of
God, and that our afflictions in this life, which are
light and of short continuance, will, if we trust in
thee, work in us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory. From the sorrows of life may
we, through thy grace, gather the peaceable fruits
of righteousness : may tribulation work in us pa-
tience, and patience experience, and experience
hope.
But thou knowest, Lord, our weakness, and
how little it is that we can bear ; if it be consistent
with thy wisdom, wilt thou mercifully turn from us
the sorrows and other evils of life : O lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. And in
all our sufferings and distress, may we, like thy
holy martyr Stephen, raise our eyes and our hopes
to Him who once suffered for us upon the cross,
and is now exalted at thy right hand : may we also
forgive and pray for those who do us wrong. If
thou art for us, none can be effectually against us.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 125
Second Week. Saturday Evening.
Help us, O Lord, in all things to live according
to thy word, and to let our light so shine before
men, that they may see our good works ; that they
may take knowledge that we have been with Jesus,
and give glory to thee for the power of thy grace.
Make us ready to take the Savior's cross : may the
disciples be willing to be as their Master, and the
servants as their Lord. Set continually before us
his holy example, that we may walk as he walked,
and that the Spirit which was in him may also be
in us.
And grant, O Lord, that we may grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of Christ, and faithfully obey
the gospel. Strengthen in us the things which re-
main and are ready to die. May we, through thy
grace, be renewed day by day, and continually
increase in all virtue and godliness of living.
Make us thankful for our religious privileges,
and for all the ordinances of the gospel ; and espe-
cially for thy appointment of one day in seven to
be a season of holy rest from worldly cares, and to
be devoted to the securing of that heavenly rest
which remains for the people of God. May the
Lord's day which is approaching be our delight :
prepare and sanctify us that we may keep it holy.
May we be in a right spirit on the Lord's day, and
experience the blessedness of those whose strength
is in thee, and in whose heart are thy ways. By
thy holy inspiration may we think those things
that are good, and by thy merciful guidance per-
form them.
Assist all thy people in their public adorations
and praise. May thy Spirit rest upon thy church-
es, and upon the ministers of thy gospel. Endue
them with wisdom, piety and zeal : may they go
forth in thy strength tcf their work, and thy bless-
ing attend their labors. Let utterance be given
them, that they may open their mouth boldly and
11*
126 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Christmas Day.
make known the mystery of the gospel. Grant
that they may not labor in vain, nor spend their
strength for naught. Replenish them with the
truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with inno-
cency of life, that both by word and good example
they may faithfully and successfully preach the
word. Pour upon them, and upon all thy people,
every gift and grace necessary for the work of the
ministry ; for the perfecting of the saints, and for
the edifying of the body of Christ ; till we all come,
in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto the perfect man ; unto the mea-
sure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, through
whom be rendered unto thee all might, majesty and
dominion, forever and ever. Amen.
The most of the Prayers preceding may be used on any day of the
week ; and if found to be too long, any parts of them may be used, omit-
ting the rest. The following are some shorter Collects or Prayers,
which may be used with any parts of the foregoing, on particular days
or occasions.
For Christmas Day.
O LORD God, our heavenly Father, the Giver of all
spiritual grace, and the Author of everlasting life, we
render thee our humble and hearty thanks that thou
didst so love the world as to send thy only-begotten
Son to take our nature, to be born as an infant, and
become the Redeemer of mankind from the power
of sin and death: We thank thee, that he who was
in the form of God, and might have continued equal
with God, in that glory which he had with thee be-
fore the world was, for us men and for our salvation
made himself of no reputation. We bless thee, O
God, that he took not the nature of angels ; but that
we might have a high priest touched with the feel-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 127
For Ash Wednesday or other Fast.
ings of our infirmities, he took the seed of Abraham,
and became perfect man without sin. Help us, O
God, to be duly thankful for this unspeakable mer-
cy. May glory to God in the highest, and peace on
earth and good will towards men, inspire our hearts,
and shine forth in our lives. May the example of
Christ's humiliation make us penitent and humble.
Give us grace that we may cast away the works
of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light ;
now especially, in this season of the year, when to
us the Child was bora ; when to us the Son was
given. May we be regenerate, and truly thy chil-
dren by adoption and grace ; that in the last day,
when he shall come again to judge the world, we
may rise to life immortal, through Him who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now
and ever. Amen.
For Ash Wednesday or other Fast.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest no-
thing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the
sins of those who are truly penitent; who wouldst
not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should
turn to thee and live, mercifully forgive us our
trespasses : create and make in us new and contrite
hearts. To thee, O Lord, belong mercies and for-
giveness ; to thee only it appertaineth to renovate
the heart, and renew a right spirit within us.
Spare us, we beseech thee : O Lord, spare thy peo-
ple for whom the Savior shed his precious blood.
Have mercy upon us, O God, after thy great good-
ness ; according to the multitude of thy mercies do
away our offences. Make us a clean heart, and re-
new a right spirit within us. Turn thou us, O Lord,
and we shall be turned ; make us sensible of our
128 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Good Friday.
vileness, and of the wickedness of our sins. Enter
not into judgment with us, O Lord, for in thy sight
shall no flesh living be justified.. Make thy face to
shine upon us, and be gracious unto us ; lift upon
us the light of thy countenance, and give us peace.
Give us grace to set the Lord ever before us, and
to use such abstinence, that our flesh may be sub-
dued to the spirit, and that we may ever obey thy
godly motions in righteousness and true holiness,
and finally obtain everlasting life, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For Good Friday.
O LORD God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
tender mercy didst give thine only Son, Jesus
Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our re-
demption; whose love to us was so great, that
whilst we were yet sinners he died for us, behold
us, we beseech thee, with favor and compassion.
Make us deeply sensible of the sins which caused
him to bleed and die; the just for the unjust.
Raise us, we beseech thee, O heavenly Father,
from the death of sin to a life of righteousness.
May we never by our transgressions crucify him
afresh ; but sanctify the Lord God in our hearts,
and live soberly, righteously and godly in this pre-
sent world, through him who loved us and gave
himself for us.
O blessed Lord Jesus Gbrjst, who, in love to us
unworthy sinners, didst leetve the glories of thy
heavenly throne, and come into this world to put
away sin by the sacrifice of thyself; who didst
become a man of sorrows and acquainted with
grief; and didst humble thyself and become obedi-
ent unto death, even the death of the cross ; spare
GRISWOLD ? S PRAYERS. 129
For the Beginning or Close of a Year.
us, good Lord ; spare those for whose sins thou
didst vouchsafe to bleed and die. O Lord God,
Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takest away
the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou
that takest away the sins of the world, receive our
prayer. By thine agony and bloody sweat ; * by
thy cross and passion ; by thy precious death and
burial ; by thy triumphant resurrection and gift of
the Holy Ghost, deliver us, p Lord, from the guilt
and the power of sin, and save our souls from eter-
nal death.
O Lord, bless and keep us ; make thy face to
shine upon us ; lift up the light of thy countenance
upon us, and give us peace, both now and ever-
more. Amen.
For the Beginning or Close of a Year.
ADORABLE and ever gracious God, whose days are
without end and whose mercies cannot be num-
bered, thou art from everlasting to everlasting;
the same yesterday, to-day and forever. Thou
hast laid the foundations of the earth, and the hea-
vens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish
but thou remainest: they shall all wax old as doth
a garment, and shall be changed ; but thou art the
same, and thy years shall not fail. Though days,
and months, and years do pass away, and time it-
self shall be no longer, thy kingdom shall endure
forever and ever. Behold in mercy thy needy,
dependent and perishing creatures, whose life is
but a span, and whose age is even as nothing in
respect of thee. It is of thy mercy that we are not
consumed, and because thy compassions fail not.
Thou boldest our souls in life, and to thee we lift
our eyes as the only hope of all the ends of the
130 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For a Family under Afflictive Visitation.
earth. We thank thee, O blessed Lord God, that
while another year has [nearly] passed away, and
thousands and tens of thousands of precious souls
have departed to the eternal world, we yet survive ;
that we have been, by thy merciful providence,
conducted through a thousand perils to this present
time. Help us, O heavenly Father, so to number
our days, and so duly to consider the shortness and
uncertainty of human life, that we may apply our
hearts to true wisdom. Shouldst thou, O Lord, in
thy goodness, let us alone another year also, give
us grace, we beseech thee, to serve thee better than
in times past. Create us again unto good works,
and renew us day by day. Our life and breath are
thine; our times are in thy hand; and may our
whole heart and soul be devoted unto thee, and we
be ever prepared to say, To live is Christ, and to
die is gain. Support us in all dangers, both of soul
and body. Lead us not into temptation ; but deli-
ver us from evil. We ask it in the name, and
through the mediation of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
For a Family under Afflictive Visitation.
O FATHER of mercies and God of all comfort, who
art our only hope in time of need, and who hast
taught us in thy holy word that thou dost not,
without wise and good intentions, afflict or grieve
the children of men, mercifully behold us in this
season of sorrow and distress. Lord, hear our sup-
plications and prayers, and let thine ears consider
well the voice of our complaint. Righteous art
thou, O God, in all thy ways ; just in all thy deal-
ings with the sons of men. Sickness and pains
and death are the dispensations of thy hand, and
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 131
A Prayer for Persons newly Married.
are less than our sins deserve. Wherefore should
a living man complain !
Do thou, O God, who despisest not the sighing
of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are
sorrowful, mercifully assist us in the prayers which,
in this time of trouble and adversity, we would
make before thee. Turn from us, we beseech thee,
the evils which we most justly have deserved ; and
grant that in all our troubles we may put our trust
in thy mercy, and be submissive in heart and life
to thy holy will. Sanctify to our spiritual and
eternal good thy fatherly correction. Give us grace,
O heavenly Father, to be patient under affliction,
and resigned to thy holy will. May we see and
know, to our comfort, that if God be for us, nothing
can be against us ; that neither tribulation or dis-
tress can separate us from the love of Christ. May
such be our improvement under thy chastening
hand, that we may find it good for us to have been
afflicted.
And we commend to thy fatherly goodness all of
our fellow-creatures who are in any way afflicted
or distressed in mind, body or estate : that it may
please thee to comfort and relieve them, according
to their several necessities, giving them patience
under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all
their afflictions. Hear us, O thou God of mercy,
for the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for Persons newly Married ; which, with very little alteration,
may be used by them.
O MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, the Giver
of all good things, and the Author of all blessedness,
who, of thy bountiful goodness towards mankind,
hast instituted the holy estate of matrimony, and
132 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for Persons newly Married.
by the union of husband and wife hast provided
for the peace and order and happiness of society in
this world, behold us, we beseech thee, with thy
favor and blessing at this time, and on this occa-
sion. Grant that these thy servants, who in thy
fear and presence, and according to thy holy ordi-
nance, have mutually pledged their love and fidelity,
and have been united together in marriage, may en-
joy the perpetual smiles of thy heavenly benediction.
Bless them, O God, in their health and their friends ;
in their family and affections ; in their goods, and
in all the business of life. Guide and bless them in
all that they design, and all they do. Defend and
preserve them from sin, and from all the evils and
calamities of life. May they ever live in perfect
love and peace together, sympathizing in all the
pains and all the endearments of life; and find
their greatest earthly happiness in making each
other happy. In their fidelity, may they find per-
fect confidence; in temperance, health; in honest
industry, riches ; and in virtuous, godly living, may
they find comfort in this life, and the sure hope of
a better.
Wilt thou, O merciful God, enlighten their minds
by the doctrines of eternal life, revealed in Jesus
Christ, and make them happy subjects of thy saving
grace ; that, being married in the Lord, they may
live to him. May they view the married state as a
great mystery, symbolizing the union between
Christ and his church. As Christ loved the church,
and gave himself for it, may the husband love his
wife, even as himself, and the wife see that she
reverence her husband.
May they love and cherish each other in all
the cares and concerns of life; and counsel and
strengthen each other in every duty of religion.
O God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy
Ghost, bless, preserve and keep them. Grant that
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 133
A Prayer suitable to be used by Parishioners for their Minister.
they may so live together in this world, that in the
world to come they may enjoy life everlasting;
through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer suitable to be used by Parishioners for their Minister.
O MERCIFUL God, Sanctifier of the faithful, the
Giver of all good, whose ears are open to the prayers
of those who ask in the name of Jesus Christ, cleanse
the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy
Holy Spirit. Mercifully assist us in these our sup-
plications and prayers, and help us to ask for such
things as shall please thee. Grant us true repent-
ance, that we may obtain of thee, the God of all
mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness. Give us
hearts, O Lord, to be thankful for thy manifold
goodness to us and to all men. Make us duly
thankful that we live in a land where the gospel of
our blessed Redeemer is faithfully preached, and
taught from house to house ; that thy holy word,
written for our learning, is in our hands ; and we
have the inestimable privilege of searching for our-
selves those Scriptures which will make us wise
unto salvation, and help us to know the certainty
of those things wherein we have been instructed.
We thank thee, O God, for the means of grace, for
the ordinances of religion, and for all the privileges
of thy sanctuary. We bless thy holy name for the
gift of thy only Son to be our Savior, and the author
of everlasting life ; who, after he had made perfect
our redemption, sent his ministers into all the world
to preach his gospel to every creature. We bless
thee, that thou art still graciously pleased to call
others to the same office and ministry, who are
continually laboring in word and doctrine. Make
us thankful that our teachers are not removed into
12
134 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable to be used by Parishioners for their Minister.
a corner, but that our eyes see our teachers, and
our ears hear their words, instructing us in the
right way, and exhorting us to walk therein, and
that we turn not to the right hand or to the left.
Give us grace, we beseech thee, to profit by their
ministry ; may thy word spoken in our ear sink
deep in our heart, and bring forth in us the fruit of
good living.
And, O gracious God, wilt thou send down upon
the ministers of thy gospel, and upon the congrega-
tions committed to their charge, the healthful spirit
of thy grace. Pour upon them the continual dew
of thy blessing. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to
all bishops and other ministers, that they may, both
by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and
lively word, and rightly and duly administer the
ordinances of thy gospel. And especially, O Lord,
and most earnestly do we ask thy blessing upon
him who is appointed to be our spiritual ruler and
guide ; who labors among us in word and doctrine,
and breaks to us the bread of life. Thou hast
commanded us to remember those who have the rule
over us, and have spoken unto us thy word ; for
they watch for our souls, as they who must give ac-
count to thee of their fidelity. Him who rules over
us, and watches for our souls, would we, O blessed
Lord, remember in these our prayers ; beseeching
thee to rule his heart, to strengthen his hands and
bless his labors. His best gifts and acquirements
are our gain : should he lose his labors, we must
lose our souls. Do thou, the God of all mercy and
grace, who hast given this treasure in earthen ves-
sels, and who alone canst make the frailty of man
sufficient for such a ministry, endue him, our be-
loved pastor, with every gift and grace necessary
to the full and faithful performance of all the duties
of his office. Awaken in his mind a holy zeal for
thy glory, and for the salvation of men. Help him
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 135
A Prayer suitable to be used by Parishioners for their Minister.
to devote himself, and all his powers and faculties,
to thee, in the work of his ministry. Enlighten his
mind with the truths of thy word, and with the
doctrines of eternal life. May thy Holy Spirit be
his teacher, and bring to his remembrance whatever
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction
and for instruction in righteousness. Wilt thou, O
gracious God, be ever with him in performing the
duties of his ministry. Support him under all the
discouragements which may intercept his way.
Give him patience and strength in all the painful
labors of his office, and wisdom rightly to divide
the word of truth, and to give to all their portion
of meat in due season. Remove from him the fear
of man ; and give him utterance that he may open
his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of
the gospel, and shun not to declare all the counsel
of God. Grant him the comfort of seeing thy work
prosper in his hand ; may many souls, by his labors
and thy blessing converted to thee, be his crown of
rejoicing.
And wilt thou, O Lord, watch over him for good.
May his life be precious in thy sight. Preserve, we
beseech thee, his health and strength. Shield him
from sorrows and perils and calamitous events, and
grant him such temporal comforts as may be con-
venient and useful, and encourage him in his labor
of love. Bless him in his house, [in his family,]
and in his connections. May he long continue to
labor successfully in building up the Redeemer's
kingdom and turning many to righteousness ; and
at last, having fought a good fight, and finished his
course with joy, may he receive the crown of
righteousness laid up for him in thy heavenly
kingdom.
And give us grace, O Lord, we beseech thee,
rightly and truly to profit by his ministry, and to
do all that is in our power to hold up his hand, and
136 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Families, Meetings for Prayer, and on other occasions.
aid him in the arduous duties of his pastoral care,
that he may do them with joy and not with grief.
May his patient labor, for our benefit, fill our hearts
with grateful affection, and with that love which is
not in word and tongue only, but in deed and in
truth.
Hear us, O Lord, we beseech thee, for the sake
of thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name
and words we further pray :
Our Father who art, <fcc. Amen.
The following prayers are more general, and may be 'used in fami-
lies, or by companies of Christians in meeting's for Prayer, and on other
occasions.
RIGHTEOUS, adorable and everliving God, in whom
we live and move and have our being ; whose good-
ness is, like thy power, unbounded, behold in mercy
the souls who are here before thee. We approach
thee, O God, as fallen, sinful creatures, unworthy
to lift our eyes to a righteous God in prayer. Trust-
ing not in our own righteousness, but in thy mani-
fold and great mercies, and the infinite merits of a
Savior's blood, we beseech thee to cleanse us from
sin, and behold us in love. Help us, with humble
reverence, religious awe, and praying hearts, in his
prevailing name, to come before thee. Grant us,
O Lord, such a right view of thy justice and thy
mercy, that we may fear without despair, and
hope without presumption.
Let thy Holy Spirit be with us to help our in-
firmities, to enliven our devotion, to reclaim our
wandering thoughts, and raise our affections from
the world to thee. Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in
our supplications and prayers ; raise our hopes and
dispose our ways towards the attainment of ever-
lasting salvation. May we love the things which
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 137
To be used in Families, Meetings for Prayer, and on other occasions.
thou commandest, and desire those which thou dost
promise; that so, among the manifold changes of
this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed,
where true joys are to be found. Give us grace to
cast away the works of darkness and put upon us
the armor of light. In all time of our tribulation,
in all time of our prosperity, in the hour of death,
and in the day of judgment, support us with thy
grace, preserve us from pride, uphold us with thy
spirit, and save our souls, in Jesus Christ.
We beseech thee, O God, to hear our prayers, and
accept of our intercessions for all who desire, and
all who need them. Extend the light of thy gospel
through the darkness of this sinful world, and grant
that the knowledge of Christ, and the doctrines of
life eternal, may spread more and more, till all the
ends of the earth shall see the salvation that is in
Jesus Christ.
We beseech thee, O God, to inspire continually
the universal church with the spirit of truth, unity
and concord ; and grant that all they who do con-
fess thy name may agree in the truth of thy holy
word, and live in harmony and godly love ; may
they hold the true faith in unity of spirit, in the
bond of peace, and in righteousness of -life. And
we beseech thee so to dispose the hearts of all Chris-
tian rulers, that they may truly and impartially
administer justice, to the suppression of wickedness
and vice, and to the maintenance of true religion
and virtue. May peace and harmony, and the
blessings of true liberty, equal laws, and pure and
undefiled religion, be extended to all the nations of
the earth.
Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee, the people of this
our country with prosperity and peace. Inspire
them with thankfulness to thee, for thy manifold
and great mercies, and cause them to show their
sense of thy goodness by living according to thy
138 GRJSWOLD'S PRAYERS.
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righteous laws. May thy heavenly wisdom, and
thy holy, protecting providence, guide and govern
those who are in authority over us. May it please
thee to bless and prosper all their ministrations, to
the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy
church, and to the honor, safety, and welfare of thy
people : and grant that peace and happiness, truth
and justice, religion and piety may be established
among us for all generations.
Extend, O Lord, thy heavenly benediction to the
spiritual rulers set in thy church. Give grace, we
humbly beseech thee, to all the ministers of thy
gospel of every grade, and in all their various fields
of labor; and grant that they may, both by their
life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively
word; rightly and truly administer all the ordi-
nances of our Savior, Christ ; and be instruments,
through thy grace, of turning the hearts of the dis-
obedient to the wisdom of the just, and of declaring
to ail who hav< ears to hear, the whole counsel of
God.
May it please thee, O Lord, to give to all thy
people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word,
and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring
forth the fruits of the spirit. May it please thee
to bring into the way of truth all such as have
erred and are deceived ; to strengthen such as do
stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to
raise up those who fall, and to subdue our spiritual
enemies. And we most humbly beseech thee of thy
goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those
who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow,
need, sickness, or in any other adversity ; giving
them patience and resignation under their suffer-
ings, and wisdom and grace to make a right im-
provement from their afflictions.
May thy gracious ears, O Lord, be open to all
who seek thy face in prayer. We pray thee to en-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 139
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lighten and comfort those who are too fearful of thy
terror, and distrustful of thy mercy. The bruised
reed thou wilt not break; a broken and contrite
heart thou wilt not despise. May all who mourn
in Zion find thee a God of refuge ; may they dwell
in peace, feeling thy pardon, supported by thy Spi-
rit, absolved by thy sentence, and saved by thy
mercy. O may we not, for any troubles of life, or
for any allurements of the world, cast away our
confidence in thee, or place it in any other. We
offer these our supplications and prayers in the
name of Jesus Christ ; and conclude them with the
words which he has taught us :
Our Father who art, &c. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, behold in mercy thy dependent
creatures, who desire, with all humility and adora-
tion, to approach thy gracious throne. We beseech
thee to hear our prayers, and pardon our sins.
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts,
and give us such sincere repentance, that we may
obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remis-
sion and forgiveness.
We adore thee, O God, for thine infinite perfec-
tions; we bless thee for thy great and manifold
mercies. With hearts united, we would render
unto thee humble and hearty thanks, for all thy
goodness and loving kindness to us and to all man-
kind. We thank thee for our life, and for all the
blessings which add to our comfort : that our lives,
so unprofitable to thee, are still continued ; that we
have been preserved, through various perils, and
conducted, by unnumbered mercies, safely to the
present time. We thank thee for this present op-
140 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Families, Meetings for Prayer, and on other occasions.
portunity and privilege of assembling in thy name
and presence ; and for the comforting doctrines of
life and peace contained in thy holy word. We
praise thee, O God, that thou hast laid help on one
who is mighty ; that thou hast so loved the world ;
hast had such compassion upon the fallen race of
men, as to give thine only Son to be our Savior ;
that through the merits of his sacrifice thou canst
be just, and yet be the justifier of those who believe
in Jesus Christ ; and that we are called to a know-
ledge of thy grace and faith in thee. Make us sen-
sible of thy goodness in giving us such gracious
means and frequent opportunities of religious im-
provement. Blessed be thy name for thy forbear-
ing mercy ; for thy patient goodness to creatures so
undeserving : for the invitations of thy word, and
for thy promises of salvation and eternal life in Je-
sus Christ. We beseech thee to impress thy saving
truth upon our minds ; grant us that lively, holy
faith which renews the heart; and whilst we live,
may we live to thee. Do thou, the Lord of all
power and might, the author and giver of all good
things, graft in our hearts the love of thy name ;
increase in us pure and undefiled religion ; nou-
rish us with the lively truth of thy holy word,
filling our soul with goodness; and of thy great
mercy dispose our hearts, and direct our ways, to-
wards the attainment of everlasting salvation.
Give us grace, O Lord, to love thy statutes, and
to walk faithfully in the way of thy commandments.
Incline our heart unto thy testimonies. Turn away
our eyes from all sinful vanities, and quicken us in
the way that we should go. Assist us in all we do
with thy heavenly grace, and dispose our ways
towards the attainment of everlasting salvation,
that among all the perils of this changing world, our
hearts may be steadfastly fixed upon the unchang-
ing glories of the world to come. May we follow
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 141
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the steps of our blessed Savior who once came into
this world to visit us in great humility ; like him
be unwearied in well doing; that when he shall
come again, in his glorious majesty, to judge the
quick and the dead, we may be found acceptable in
thy sight, and receive the blessing which he shall
pronounce to those who love and fear thee.
And accept, O Lord, of our intercessions for all
our fellow-men. Extend, we beseech thee, the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the saving truths
of thy blessed word, through all the nations of the
earth. May thy gospel be spread till it is preached
to every creature, and in an honest and good heart
by all received. O may thy kingdom come and its
power increase, till thy will is done on earth as it
is in heaven. Awaken in the impenitent a just
sense of thy power and of thy mercy. Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts; may they return unto the Lord, who
will have mercy upon them, and to God, who will
abundantly pardon. May we and all men seek
thee while thou mayst be found, and call upon
thee while thou art near, and partake in the bene-
fits of thy everlasting covenant, even the sure mer-
cies of David.
Give us hearts, O Lord, to feel, and to pray for
all the sons and daughters of sorrow. May they
remember the exhortation, not to despise the chas-
tening of the Lord, nor faint when rebuked of him ;
and, knowing that whom the Lord loveth he chas-
teneth, may they trust in thy mercy and be resigned
to thy will. Behold, O Lord, in mercy them who
are visited with sickness. May they bow with
submission under thy rod, knowing who hath ap-
pointed it, and be enabled, through thy grace, to
see wisdom and goodness in all thy dealings. May
they know, in a holy, lively faith, that to live is
Christ, to die is gain.
142 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
To be used in Families, Meetings for Prayer, and on other occasions.
We commend ourselves, O heavenly Father, to thy
holy, protecting providence. Wilt thou watch over
us for good, and direct and bless us in all we do.
O thou blessed Savior of a sinful world, who for
us men and for our redemption came down from
heaven ; lived for our example ; was delivered for
our offences, and raised for our justification, help
us to walk in thy steps, and to serve thee as our
Lord and Master, doing the things which thou
commandest.
O thou Holy Spirit of the Father, and Spirit of
the Son, Sanctifier of the faithful, visit us, we pray
thee, with thy love and favor. Open our under-
standing, that we may know and receive the truth
as it is in Jesus Christ. Dwell in our hearts, and
sanctify our desires and all our affections.
O blessed Lord God and Savior, who hast given
us grace at this time to make our common supplica-
tions unto thee, and dost promise, that when two or
three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt
grant their requests ; fulfil now, O Lord, we hum-
bly beseech thee, the desires and petitions of thy
servants, as may be most expedient for them, grant-
ing us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in
the world to come life everlasting, through Jesus
Christ, our blessed Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
O ETERNAL God, whose wise and unfailing provi-
dence orders all things in heaven and on earth, who
hast compassion upon the sons of men, and hast
graciously promised to hear the prayers of those
who ask in the name of Jesus Christ, we desire,
with reverence and adoration, to present before
thee our humble supplications. Let thy merciful
ears be open to our petitions, and that we obtain
our requests, help us, we beseech thee, to ask for
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 143
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such things, and with such hearts, as shall please
thee. We are unworthy, through our manifold
sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice. We have daily
offended against thee, who art holy, just and good.
We have sinned and done wickedly in departing
from thy precepts arid thy judgments. We have
erred and strayed from thy righteous ways, and
have followed too much the evil devices and desires
of our own hearts. We have left undone what our
duty required, and have done those things which
thy law forbids. Do thou, O heavenly Father, who
hast promised forgiveness to those who confess and
forsake their sins, have mercy upon us ; pardon our
offences, and deliver us from the condemnation and
the power of sin. Sanctify our hearts, and, by thy
Holy Spirit, work in us to will and to do what is
pleasing in thy sight.
We bless thy holy name, that to the Lord our
God belong mercies and forgiveness ; that through
the merits of a righteous Savior thou art ever ready
to receive a returning, penitent sinner. We praise
thee for thy adorable attributes of power and wis-
dom, benevolence and mercy. We thank thee for
unnumbered favors vouchsafed to us and to all
mankind; for the gospel preached to sinful crea-
tures, and for the day and means of grace and
salvation. We thank thee that our lives are still
preserved ; and that we are permitted, once more,
to lay aside our worldly cares ; to meet here in thy
presence ; [to read thy word ;] to talk of thy mer-
cies, and to address thee in prayer and praise.
Grant, O Lord, that we may pass this time of our
being together as becometh weak and dependent
creatures, in the presence of a righteous, holy, and
heart-searching God. Sanctify all our affections;
give us right views of thy character, of the Savior's
merits, and of our duty. Preserve us from all self-
righteousness, vanity and pride. May it be our
144 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
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chief desire to honor thee, and to save ourselves
and others. Grant that all things may be done
decently and in good order, to thy glory and to our
edification. May our mouth be exercised in wis-
dom, and our talking be of thy judgments. In
every duty of prayer or praise ; of reading thy word
or speaking of thy mercies, let thy Holy Spirit be
with us, to strengthen our faith, to restrain our
wandering thoughts, to enliven our devotion, and to
fix our attention and our desires on spiritual things,
and to unite our hearts in Christian love. Our
hearts are in thy hand ; our wants and our infirmi-
ties are all before thee. Thou knowest our desires
and our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance
in asking. O gracious God, wilt thou do for us and
work in us whatever thou seest fitting for our pre-
sent need, and our eternal good. Increase in us
faith and hope and charity, and may we never for-
get that the greatest of these is charity. O shed
abroad thy love in our hearts ; may that spirit be
in us which was in our Savior Christ ; that meek-
ness and humility, that forgiving temper and spirit
of love. May our benevolent affections be raised in
thankfulness to thee, and fall, as the dew of heaven,
upon our fellow-men.
Assist, O Lord, and hear our supplications for all
mankind. Bless thy church universal, wherever
dispersed, throughout the world. May mercy and
peace be upon the whole Israel of God. Prosper
thy word, wherever it is spoken, and send it where
it is not heard. Cause thy face to shine upon thy
chosen people, and grant that thy way may be
known through all the earth, and thy saving health
among all nations. May the borders of Zion be
enlarged, till the kingdoms of the earth become the
kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, and all
shall know thee from the least to the greatest.
Bless all who name the name of Christ, with every
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 145
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gift and every grace. Revive thy work in the midst
of the years. Pour out of thy Spirit, O blessed Lord,
amongst us. Awaken the zeal of thy people : bless
the labors of thy ministering servants. May all
our churches arise and shine, and be the salt of the
earth ; and may the light of gospel truth dispel the
darkness of sin and unbelief. Increase and bless
the means which are used to extend the knowledge
of Christ and the doctrines of life. Wilt thou, O
Lord, add to thy church daily and in great num-
bers such as should be saved. May they who are
now living in sin be renewed in heart, awakened
to righteousness, and saved in Christ forever.
Awaken in our minds a deep concern for the pe-
rishing souls of our fellow-men. O blessed Lord,
who died for their sins, save them from perdition.
We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear
these our supplications and prayers. Pardon our
cold affections and wandering thoughts, and fulfil
our desires and petitions in such manner as may
be most expedient for us; granting us, in this
world, knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to
come life everlasting. These, our petitions, we
present in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And unto thee, who art able to keep us from fall-
ing, and to present us faultless before the throne of
thy glory, be ascribed all majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
ADORABLE and everliving God, the Father of all
mercies, the Giver of all good, we, thine unworthy
creatures, who are still, by thy patient goodness,
preserved, and permitted once more to meet before
thee, desire, with heart and voice united, to lift our
souls to thee in adoration and praise. Thou art the
Lord, by whom we escape death, and enjoy the
13 J
146 ORISWOLD'S PRATERS.
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things which pertain to life and godliness. We
bless thee as the Author of our being, and the Giver
of life, and of all that makes life desirable. Thou
hast holden us up ever since we were born, and may
our praise be always of thee. Impress upon our
hearts a lively and lasting sense of what thou hast
done for us, and work in us that which is pleasing
in thy sight.
We acknowledge, O God, our sinfulness, and be-
seech thee to give us that true repentance which is
not to be repented of, and that faith towards the
Lord Jesus Christ which renews the heart, worketh
by love and overcometh the world. Through the
merits of his blood, may our sins be forgiven ; and
through thy sanctifying grace, may we be created
again unto good works. O may thy Spirit help
our infirmities and make intercession for us. Let
the words of our mouth and the meditation of our
heart be acceptable in thy sight. May our prayers
be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting
up of our hands as the evening sacrifice.
Great, O Lord, are thy mercies vouchsafed to us,
while our hearts are worldly, forgetful of thy good-
ness, and neglectful of thy great salvation. Shut
not thy merciful ears to our prayers ; but spare us,
O Lord God, most mighty; thou holy, just and
merciful Savior, permit us not, for the vanities of
life, to err from thee, nor, for any things of lime
and sense, to lose our souls.
Teach us, O thou God of mercy, to realize how
short and uncertain is the life of man. The Son of
man cometh as a thief in the night, and thou only
knowest how soon we shall be called to another
world, and our souls be fixed in their eternal state.
And yet we live in this world as though we were
never to leave it ; forgetful of our latter end, and
unprepared for judgment. How wasteful are we
of our precious time ! how careless of our souls !
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 147
For the Closing of a Religious Meeting.
how thoughtless of eternity ! Justly mightest thou
call us away in the midst of our sins. O quicken
us that we may live. Awaken us to righteousness,
that we sin not. Remember not, Lord, our sins
against thee, but thy love to us in Jesus Christ;
not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences.
And wilt thou, O merciful God, awaken in our
minds a deep concern for the salvation, not of our-
selves only, but of others. Hear our prayer, we
humbly beseech thee, for those who do not pray for
themselves. Arrest, by thy grace, those who are
going along the broad way to ruin ; turning a deaf
ear to the calls of mercy and of a bleeding Savior,
and unmindful of the judgment which awaits them.
O may thy quickening Spirit convince them of sin,
of righteousness and of judgment, and turn their
hearts to the wisdom of the just.
Extend thy mercy to all for whom we ought to
pray. Bless our churches and our country. Be-
hold, O Lord, in mercy, this little flock of thy wor-
shipping people here before thee. Bless the church
of God which Christ has purchased with his blood,
and especially that branch of it with which we are
particularly connected. Keep us, O Lord, by thy
perpetual mercy. Unite our hearts in Christian
love. Enrich our minds with true wisdom and
heavenly grace. May we be steadfast and immov-
able ; always abounding in the work of the Lord,
through Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father
and Holy Spirit, be endless praise. A men.
For the Closing of a Religious Meeting.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our
148 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For the Closing of a Religious Meeting.
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that
we may address thee with reverence and godly
fear, and with hearts duly thankful for thy unnum-
bered mercies. We thank thee for thy goodness in
preserving our unprofitable lives from day to day,
and from week to week ; that seasons of spiritual
refreshment often return, and that time and oppor-
tunity are given us to know thy word and to do thy
will. We bless thee, O God, especially for thy fa-
vors vouchsafed us during the past day and this
present evening. To the praise of thy patient good-
ness we thankfully acknowledge it, that we have
had this pleasing opportunity of meeting together ;
that we have been permitted with social affections
to unite our hearts and voices in prayer and praise
to thee, the Lord God of our salvation ; that we
may talk of thy loving kindness early in the morn-
ing, and of thy faithfulness in the night season. O
may we be duly thankful for this, and for all thy
mercies : may we realize the blessedness of gospel
truth ; of seeing the things which we see, and of
hearing the things which we hear. May the coun-
sels of thy word sink deep in our hearts, and bring
forth the fruits of pure and undefiled religion. Like
thy servants of old who feared the Lord, may we
speak often one to another on the subject of our sal-
vation in Jesus Christ ; and may a book of remem-
brance be written, a remembrance, not of our sins
and unworthiness, but of thy mercy, and of the love
of Christ, which passeth man's understanding. May
a sense of thy goodness increase our love of thy law,
and make us more faithful in serving thee.
Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be
extended to preserve us from sin and danger, and
to guide our steps in the way of righteousness and
peace. Though, through the frailty of our nature,
and amidst the busy cares of life, we are prone to
be forgetful of thee, our God and Savior, O be not
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 149
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For the Closing of a Religious Meeting.
thou unmindful of us : may thy kind and watchful
providence ever be over us : may thy Holy Spirit
be ever with us, and so lead us in the knowledge
and obedience of thy word, that in the end we may
obtain everlasting life.
Shed abroad thy love in our hearts. May we all
be united in the bands of a holy affection, and strive
together for the faith of the gospel, in unity of spi-
rit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of
life. Dispose our minds to every good word and
work, that we may abound in mercy and good
fruits. Make us thankful in prosperity ; patient in
tribulation; resigned in adversity, and faithful in
every duty.
Wilt thou, O gracious God, revive thy work
among this people. May the knowledge of Christ,
and an awakened concern for the salvation of their
souls, be more widely extended. O may multitudes
be inquiring what they shall do to be saved ; how
they shall flee from the wrath to come, and save
themselves from this untoward generation. With
sincere penitence and lively faith, may they come
into thy church as doves to their windows..
Inspire, O Lord, the ministers of thy gospel with
holy zeal ; and of thy great mercy so direct and
govern them in their labor of love, that the comfort-
able gospel of Jesus Christ may be truly preached,
truly received, and truly followed. Have mercy
upon those who are still in the ways of sin, impiety
and unbelief: take from them all ignorance, hard-
ness of heart and contempt of thy word ; and fetch
them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they
may be saved among the remnant of the true Isra-
elites, and be made one fold under one Shepherd.
Bless the people of our country with union, pros-
perity and peace ; shield them by thy holy protect-
ing providence. Surely trusting in thy defence,
may we not fear the power of any adversary.
150 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
The Lord's Prayer Paraphrased.
Make us, we beseech thee, a happy people, having
the Lord for our God, and thy word for our guide.
Do thou, O God, mercifully incline thine ear unto
us who have now made our prayers and supplica-
tions unto thee, and grant that what we have asked
according to thy will may effectually be obtained.
Have compassion, we beseech thee, upon us and
our infirmities ; pardon us wherein we ask amiss ;
and those good things which for our unworthiness
we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask,
vouchsafe to give us for the worthiness of thy Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
O Lord, bless us and keep us, be gracious unto
us, and give us peace, both now and evermore.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer, Paraphrased.
MOST merciful and gracious God, we, thy sinful,
dependent creatures, in the name and words of our
Savior, Christ, look unto thee in prayer, as
Our Father, who art in heaven, exalted above all
worlds, and invisible to mortal eyes ; who humblest
thyself to behold the things that are in the earth :
who so lovedst the world as to give thine only Son,
that through faith in him we may be heirs of eter-
nal life. We adore thee for that unspeakable man-
ner of love, which, through him, thou hast bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ;
and, because sons, heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ ; and, by the spirit of adoption, are permitted
to cry, Abba, to thee, as unto a reconciled Father.
In his name, and through his merits, we rejoice to
say,
Hallowed be thy name. May we truly sanctify and
reverence the Lord God in our hearts and our lives ;
and may all the earth keep silence before thee. To
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 151
The Lord's Prayer Paraphrased.
thee may every knee bow, and every tongue swear
by thy name, as that of the only true and living
God. May the nations of the earth, with angels
and archangels, and all the company of heaven,
laud and magnify thy glorious name. May a
thankful sense of thy boundless goodness continu-
ally swell our notes of praise. As thou, who hast
called us to a knowledge of thy grace, art holy ; so
may we be holy in all manner of conversation; as
it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. May thy
name be hallowed for thy glorious attributes ; for
thy righteous providence, and for the redemption of
mankind in Jesus Christ. Ever adored be thy
name, that thou canst be just, and yet justify those
who have sinned against thee ; and that our hopes
are raised from sorrow, sin and death, to life im-
mortal.
Thy kingdom come. May the truth of thy
blessed gospel be established in every heart, and
the King whom thou hast set on thy holy hill of
Zion, be by all acknowledged, as both Lord and
Christ. May there be added daily to thy church
such as should be saved. Grant that the ministers
of thy gospel, and thy word spoken by their mouth,
may be instrumental, through the mighty power of
the Holy Ghost, in the conversion of souls, till the
King of saints shall have the utmost parts of the earth
for his possession. O hasten on those glorious days
of the Redeemer's kingdom, when the mountain of
the Lord's house shall be established in the top of
the mountains, and be exalted above the hills, and
all nations shall flow unto it: when wars and
strifes shall cease, and the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. We
pray, that through the power of thy grace, all who
name the name of Christ may depart from iniquity,
and hold the true faith in unity of spirit, in the bond
152 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
The Lord's Prayer Paraphrased.
of peace, and in righteousness of life. Be gracious
unto thy church, and grant that every member of it
may truly and godly serve thee. May all divisions
and discord cease. As the blessed angels in heaven,
and the spirits of just men made perfect, unite in
love and praise ; so may thy people here on earth
be joined together in one heart and one mind, striv-
ing together for the faith of the gospel, and endea-
voring to be perfect, as our Father in heaven is
perfect. Help us to follow the example of Christ's
humility, patience and love, till we come, in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto the perfect man ; unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Give us this day our daily bread. Do thou, O
Lord, who knowest our wants and our dependence,
give to us and to our brethren what is needful and
convenient, and give us grace with thankful hearts
to receive and rightly to use it. Make us contented
with what thy goodness shall bestow ; and may we
desire, above all earthly things, that our souls may
be fed with the bread of life with the heavenly
manna of thy word and doctrine.
Forgive us our trespasses. We have erred and
strayed from thy righteous ways, and have followed
the evil devices of our own hearts. Do thou, the
God of mercy, forgive our sins ; sanctify our hearts,
and renew a right spirit within us. We beseech
thee, O Lord, to blot out our transgressions.
As we forgive those who trespass against us. If
there be any who injure us, or wish us evil, give us
grace, O Lord, truly to forgive them; and, as far
as in us lies, to overcome evil with good. May the
spirit of meekness which was in our blessed Savior
be in us ; may we forgive, as we hope to be forgiv-
en, knowing that vengeance is thine and that thou
wilt judge the world in righteousness.
Lead us not into temptation. Such is the frailty
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 153
A Hymn to the God of Christians.
of our nature, that without thee we cannot but fall.
Keep us, we beseech thee, both outwardly in our
bodies and inwardly in our souls ; defend us from
adversity and preserve us from all temptation to
sin. Give us wisdom and grace to avoid that
which will entice us to transgress thy holy laws. In
times of peril suffer us not to fall into sin.
But deliver us from evil. When, for the trial of
our steadfastness, or for other purposes of thy pro-
vidence, we are exposed to temptation, mercifully
look upon our infirmities, and in all such dangers
stretch forth thy hand to help and defend us.
Grant that we may never be tempted above what
we are made able to withstand ; but that, through
thy grace, a way may be opened to escape the
snare.
For these great blessings we look unto thee, our
heavenly Father, through the merits and mediation
of thy blessed Son.
For thine is the kingdom of the whole world, both
of nature and grace, and the power to support us in
trial, and to save with an everlasting salvation.
And to thee only, as thy just due, be ascribed all
the glory forever and ever. Amen.
A Hymn to the God of Christians.
1. Holy Father, great Creator,
Source of mercy, love, and peace,
Deign to bless thy sinful creature,
Through the Savior's righteousness ;
Heavenly Father,
Through the Savior, hear and bless.
2. Holy Jesus, Lord of Glory,
Whom angelic hosts proclaim,
Be with us, who, here before thee,
Meet and worship in thy name.
Dear Redeemer,
In our hearts thy peace proclaim.
154 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Hymn to the God of Christians.
3. Holy Spirit, Sanctifier,
Come with unction from above,
Touch our hearts with sacred fire ;
Fill them with the Savior's love ;
Source of comfort,
Cheer us with the Savior's love.
4. God the Lord, through every nation,
Let thy wondrous mercies' shine ;
In the song of thy salvation,
Every tongue with rapture join.
Great Jehovah,
Form our hearts, and make them thine.
PART THIRD.
PRAYERS WHICH MAY BE USED IN MIS-
SIONARY MEETINGS, AND ON
OTHER OCCASIONS.
A Prayer for the Church.
ADORABLE and everliving God, who hast built thy
church upon the foundation of apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone,
and hast promised to be with its ministers to the
end of the world, we beseech thee to behold it with
thy favor and blessing, and keep it with thy perpe-
tual mercy. Grant, we beseech thee, that, by the
operation of thy Holy Spirit, all Christians, in their
vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve
thee. May they be so joined together in unity of
spirit and in the bond of peace, that they may be a
holy temple, acceptable unto thee. With one heart
may they desire the prosperity of the Redeemer's
kingdom, and with one mouth profess the faith
once delivered to the saints. Defend them from
heresy and schism. Bring into the way of truth
all who have erred and are deceived. Strengthen
such as do stand ; comfort and help the weak-heart-
ed; raise up those who fall; preserve us in the
hour of temptation, and deliver us from evil.
Enlarge, we beseech thee, the borders of Zion,
and add to thy church daily, and in vast numbers.
156 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for the Clergy.
such as should be saved. O may thy kingdom
come with power, till all shall know thee, from the
least to the greatest, and thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
And grant, O Lord, that the course of this world
may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance,
that thy people, being hurt by no persecutions, may
serve thee without fear, in holiness and righteous-
ness, all their days ; through Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior. Amen.
A Prayer for the Clergy.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who, of thy infi-
nite love to mankind, hast given my Son Jesus
Christ to be our Redeemer, and the Author of ever-
lasting life ; who, after he had died for our sins,
and risen for our justification, sent forth his apostles
and prophets and other ministers to preach his gos-
pel and make disciples of all nations ; for these, so
great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and that thou
art still sending laborers into thy vineyard, and
calling men to the knowledge of thy salvation in
Jesus Christ, we render thee most hearty thanks ;
we bless and praise thy holy name. We bless
thee, O God, that thou didst so love the world, as
to send into it thy blessed Son to be our Savior ;
and that thou hast commanded the good tidings of
his gospel to be proclaimed to all the nations of the
earth. Give us grace to manifest our thankfulness
for this thy great goodness, by endeavoring, as thou
shall give us grace and means, to spread the know-
ledge of Christ, and to extend the ministrations of
his religion to all who need them.
Teach us, O Lord, to pray, and graciously hear
our humble prayers for those who are ordained to
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 157
A Prayer for the Clergy.
preach the gospel of Christ, and to minister in holy
things. Wilt thou, O God, who alone canst, make
them sufficient for these things ; rule their hearts,
strengthen their hands and bless their labors. En-
due them with wisdom from above ; inspire them
with a holy, heavenly zeal, and grant that thy
word, spoken by their mouth, may have such free
course and be so blest, that it may never be spoken
in vain. Send down upon our bishops and other
clergy, and upon the congregations committed to
their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace ; and,
that they may truly please thee, pour upon them
the continual dew of thy blessing. Let all thy mi-
nisters be clothed with righteousness, and be whole-
some examples and patterns to the flock of Christ.
Grant that they may, both by their life and doc-
trine, set forth thy true and lively word ; that they
may rightly and duly administer the sacraments
and other ordinances of Jesus Christ, and be faith-
ful to declare all the counsel of God. Make them,
O Lord, we beseech thee, instruments of thy grace,
in awakening sinners to righteousness ; in turning
the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the
just, and extending the borders of the Redeemer's
kingdom.
And wilt thou, O merciful God, behold with
compassion the perishing souls of thy sinful crea-
tures. Raise up, we beseech thee, and send into
thy harvest, able ministers of thy word; pastors
and teachers after thine own heart, who shall labor
faithfully and successfully in word and_ doctrine;
whose meat and drink it shall be to know and do
thy will.
And may it please thee. O thou Lord of the har-
vest, to convince the people among whom thy mi-
nisters labor, of sin, of righteousness and of judg-
ment. Open their minds that they may understand
the things of thy law : give them grace to heai
14
158 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable for Associations and other Meetings of the Clergy.
meekly thy word, to receive, in an honest and good
heart, the doctrines of eternal life, and bring forth
the fruits of the spirit. May the light of thy truth
and the power of thy grace be extended to the re-
motest regions of the earth, and all who do confess
thy name live according to the precepts of thy holy
word. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and
grant our requests, for the sake of thy Son, our
Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer suitable for Associations, and other Meetings of the Clergy.
MOST gracious Lord God, the Author of all bless-
edness and Giver of all good, who, by thy Son, Je-
sus Christ, hast appointed divers orders of ministers
in thy church, and promised to be with them to the
end of the world, look down, we beseech thee, with
thy favor and blessings, upon us, thy unworthy
servants, who are called to be thy mouth to the
people, and to minister before thee in sacred things.
Without thee nothing is strong, nothing holy, no-
thing good. Without the aid of thy Holy Spirit,
and the wisdom which is from above, no man is
sufficient for such a work. Increase and multiply
upon us thy mercy, and be thou our ruler and
guide. Awaken in our minds a just estimate and
lively sense of the nature and duties and importance
of the office and ministry to which we are called ;
to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the
Lord Jesus Christ ; to teach and feed and provide
for his family ; to seek for his sheep who are dis-
persed abroad, that they may be saved in him for-
ever. Though unworthy to loose the latchet of his
shoes, we are called to labor in his name, and to
pray men, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to
God. Preserve us, O Lord, from being deceived
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 159
A Prayer suitable for Associations and other Meetings of the Clergy.
in regard to our call to this ministry, and from all
unfaithfulness in the discharge of it. O thou God
of mercy, may thy presence and thy grace be ever
with us. Open our minds that we may understand
the Scriptures and the true doctrines of eternal life.
Awaken in our hearts a holy zeal for the honor of
thy name, for the prosperity of thy church, and for
the salvation of ourselves and others. May it be
our meat and drink, and the supreme desire of our
hearts, to walk in the steps of our Savior, Christ,
and to do his work. Remove from us the fear of
man and all undue regard to worldly things ; may
we truly and faithfully declare to all who have ears
to hear the whole counsel of God, and so plant and
water that thou mayst give increase, and our
labor be not in vain.
In all trials and difficulties do thou, O blessed
Lord, be our guide and support. Though bonds or
afflictions abide us, may none of them move us
from our steadfastness : may it be our chief desire
to finish our course with joy, and the ministry
which we have received, and to testify the gospel
of the grace of God. To thee, our God and Savior,
would we devote ourselves, our soul and body and
spirit, with all our faculties. Fill our memory with
the words of thy law and the truth of thy gospel.
Help us to minister the doctrine and sacraments
and discipline of Christ, according as thou hast
commanded, and to banish and drive away from
thy church all erroneous and strange doctrines
which are contrary to thy word. Help us to be
earnest and faithful in prayers for ourselves and for
others ; and to be diligent in reading and studying
the Scriptures, and in the use of all other means
which, through thy blessing, will help us in the
performance of all the duties which appertain to
our office and ministry.
And help us, O Lord, we beseech thee, so to
160 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable for Associations and other Meetings of the Clergy.
fashion our lives and to walk before the people, that
we may be wholesome examples to the flock of
Christ. Help us to follow after charity, which is
the bond of perfectness, and to maintain and set
forward as much as lieth in us, quietness, peace
and love among all Christian people, and especially
among them who are or shall be committed to our
charge.
Be gracious, O Lord, to thy church. May the
borders of Zion be enlarged, till the kingdoms of the
earth shall become the kingdom of the Lord, and
all the ends of the world shall rejoice in thy salva-
tion. And wilt thou, O gracious Lord, behold,
with thy favor and blessing, the churches and con-
gregations with which we are severally and more
particularly connected. We beseech thee to pour
out thy spirit and revive thy work amongst them.
Bless to their edification the ministry of thy word.
By thy mighty power may sinners be converted,
and the careless awakened to righteousness.
Strengthen those who stand ; comfort and bless the
weak-hearted ; raise up those who fall, and add to
thy church such as should be saved.
Direct us, O Lord, in all that we do and ought to
do, with thy most gracious favor, and further us
with thy continual help, that in all our works, be-
gun, continued and ended in thee, we may be in-
strumental in building up the Redeemer's kingdom,
to the glory of thy great name, and the salvation
of ourselves and others.
These things, and whatever else thou seest to be
necessary and convenient to us, and to the flocks
committed to our care, and to thy whole church,
we humbly ask, through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ, in whose name and words we fur-
ther pray :
Our Father who art in heaven, &c.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 161
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
The two following forms of Prayer, to be iised, the one at the opening;
the other at the dosing- of a meeting, are chiejlyfrom some forms com-
piled for the use of THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CLERICAL ASSOCIA-
TION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open,
and from whom all holy desires and all good coun-
sels do proceed, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that in all the
exercises for which we are now gathered together
in thy name, the words of our mouth and the medi-
tations of our hearts may be acceptable in thy
sight, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our
Redeemer. Amen.
WE presume not to come to thy throne of grace,
O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are
not worthy so much as to lift up our eyes unto
heaven. We acknowledge the manifold sins which
we have committed by thought, word and deed,
against thy divine majesty. We beseech thee, O
God, to behold us in mercy, not weighing our me-
rits, but pardoning our offences. In the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and through his
merits, we would come before thy gracious throne,
beseeching thee, for his sake, to hear our supplica-
tions and prayers.
O Lord, show thy mercy upon us ;
Ans. And grant us thy salvation.
O God, make clean our hearts within us ;
Ans. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
14* K
162 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
O Lord, unto us, who are but dust, and unworthy
sinners, is this grace given, that we should preach
the unsearchable riches of Christ: that we are
separated unto the gospel of thy Son; made
overseers of the flock which he hath purchased
with his own blood. Thou hast committed unto us
the word of reconciliation, that we should show
unto men the way of eternal life. Having received
this ministry, as we have obtained mercy of thee,
O Lord, we faint not, but earnestly desire, by ma-
nifestation of the truth, to commend ourselves to
every man's conscience, in the fear of God. We
feel, O heavenly Father, that we are not sufficient
for these things : that our wisdom is but foolish-
ness ; our strength but weakness ; our love too
cold ; our faith too feeble, and our zeal too languid.
Without thee we can do nothing good. Unspeaka-
bly precious are the souls committed to our trust ;
and if we are not faithful to warn them of their
wicked way, their blood wilt thou require at the
watchmen's hands. To whom can we look for
succor but unto thee, O merciful Lord, whose grace
is sufficient for us, and whose strength is made
perfect in the weakness of thy ministers. Without
thee, O blessed Jesus, who hast promised to be with
them to the end of the world, we can do nothing ;
but in thy strength we can do all things which ap-
pertain to our office and ministry. Pour upon .us
the abundance of thy grace, that we may be strong
in thee, O Lord, and in the power of thy might be
able ministers of the New Testament. Increase
our faith and trust in thee, and put upon us the
whole armor of God, that we may withstand all
the fiery darts of the wicked. These mercies we
humbly beg, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our bless-
ed Lord and Savior. Amen.
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 163
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
ALMIGHTY God, in thy great goodness to thy sin-
ful creatures, be pleased to endue our souls with
the spirit of love. May we love thee with all our
heart and soul and mind, and follow after charity
which is the bond of perfectness. Let the love of
Christ so constrain us, that we may live not to our-
selves, but unto Him, who died for our sins, and rose
again for our justification ; and grant us such fervent
affection for the souls of men, and desire for their
salvation, that we may be ready to impart, not the
gospel only, but our lives also to those among
whom we labor. May the weapons of our warfare
be not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the
casting down every thing that exalteth itself against
thee, and bringing every thought into captivity to
the obedience of Christ. Let not our speech and
our preaching be with enticing words of man's wis-
dom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
power. Open thou our understanding, that we may
know the way of salvation as revealed in the gos-
pel, and be wise to win souls to Christ. Teach us
to declare, in his spirit, the whole counsel of God,
keeping back nothing that is profitable ; that sin-
ners may be humbled, the Savior exalted, and God
glorified in all things. These things we also ask in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
O MERCIFUL God, unto whom we must all render
an account of our stewardships, deliver us, we be-
seech thee, from the fear of man. May we count
it a small thing to be judged of man's judgment,
knowing that he who jndgeth us is the Lord. May
all our glorying be in the cross of Christ. May we
never be ashamed to confess him before men ; but
have great boldness in the faith, and speak boldly,
164 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
as we ought to speak, to make known the mystery
of the gospel, that Christ may be magnified in us,
whether by life, or by death. May it be our chief
desire to make known among men Jesus Christ and
him crucified, willing for his sake to be accounted
fools, and to suffer reproaches and persecutions and
distress. May we never think of ourselves more
highly than we ought to think, nor be unduly in-
fluenced by the love of praise or filthy lucre ; but
be humble and meek, gladly becoming the servants
of all, that men may be saved in Jesus Christ,
through whom alone we offer these our humble
prayers. Amen.
O LORD, we are encompassed with infirmities;
whatever hindrances and difficulties beset us, ena-
ble us, in humble, steadfast faith, to look still to
thee for guidance and strength. In patience may
we possess our souls. Inspire us with such zeal as
becometh those who bear the message of salvation
to perishing sinners. May we have our people in
our hearts, and long after them all, in the bowels of
Jesus Christ ; not ceasing to pray for them ; warn-
ing every man, and teaching every man in all wis-
dom, that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus. Though the fruit of our labor do not
soon appear, give us faith and patience to wait in
hope, arid with a holy confidence to trust in thee :
relying upon thy promises, may we be steadfast,
unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not
in vain in the Lord. May we never be forgetful of
our dependence upon thee, but always remember
that neither is he that planteth nor he that watereth
any thing, but God that giveth the increase. Give,
we earnestly beseech thee, O give thy blessing to
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 165
Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.
our labors ; let not thy word return unto thee void,
but prosper it in the thing whereto thou sendest it.
Be with us in season and out of season. Bear wit-
ness, by thy Spirit, to thy word, making it a savor
of life to the hearers, awakening the careless, esta-
blishing the wavering, recovering those who err
from the truth ; comforting those who mourn, and
building up thy people in their most holy faith.
Grant these blessings, O gracious God, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
WE humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, in
behalf of the flocks which thou hast appointed us
to feed, that thou wouldst grant them, according to
the riches of thy glory, to be strengthened with
might in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in
their hearts by faith ; that, being rooted and
grounded in love, they may be able to comprehend,
with all saints, what is the breadth and length, and
depth and height, and know the love of Christ,
which passeth knowledge, that they may be filled
with all the fulness of God. From all ignorance,
hardness of heart, and neglect of thy holy word,
good Lord, deliver them. Give them grace to re-
ceive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is
able to save their souls ; and tt> be doers of the
word, and not hearers only. Have mercy, O gra-
cious Lord, upon the impenitent : alarm the care-
less, and awaken them to righteousness. Open the
eyes of the blind ; guide the inquiring ; pity those
who are deceived ; be gracious to all who mourn for
their sins, and defend thy people in every danger,
and from every sin.
We beseech thee, O merciful God, to hear our
prayers. Vouchsafe thy blessing upon our present
meeting. May our coming together be for the bet-
166 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
ter. We beseech thee, according to thy gracious
promise, to be with us, who have met in thy name,
and, we humbly trust, according to thy will. May
this social interview tend to the good of thy
church, and to the spiritual refreshment of our own
souls. Preserve us from all error, levity, pride, and
prejudice. May we love as brethren ; be humble,
affectionate and kind; and in all we think and speak
and do, have a solemn sense of thy presence, and a
single eye to thy glory. All these our humble peti-
tions we offer and present unto thee, O heavenly
Father, in the name and through the mediation of
Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee, and the Holy
Ghost, be all glory and praise, now and for ever-
more. Amen.
Our Father who art, &c.
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of all mercies, we,
thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble
and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving
kindness to us and to all men. Praised be thy glo-
rious name for thine inestimable love in the re-
demption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wonderful are the mercies through him vouchsafed
to thy sinful creatures ; unspeakably precious the
blessings which thou hast given us through his
death and resurrection. We bless thee, O God,
especially for this opportunity of talking of thy
loving kindness, and for the delightful fellowship
and communion which, by thy goodness, we have
now been permitted to enjoy. Grant, O Lord, that
great and permanent good, to ourselves and to
others, may ensue from this meeting. Whatever
lessons we have learned, whatever impressions
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 167
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
we have received, may they be sanctified and
abiding. May brotherly love continue. May our love
to Christ, and for his church, be increased : may we
be more devoted to his service, and more heartily
determined, in the sufficiency of his grace, to make
full proof of our ministry. Enable us to endure
hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ ; to be
instant, in season and out of season : may we follow
after righteousness, faith, meekness and love, and
the gospel, which we preach, come to the hearers,
not in word only, but also in power, to the purify-
ing of the heart by faith.
But before thee, O God, who searchest the heart,
and triest the reins of men, and while we rejoice in
believing that thou hast been in the midst of us, we
bow with self-abasement, and a sense of unworthi-
ness, and ask thy forgiveness of the sins which we
may have committed in thy presence. We feel that
our holiest things have need of pardon. Have
mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us and
pardon our offences, for his sake who died for our
sins and rose again for our justification, Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
O GOD, who hast commanded us to make inter-
cession for all men, have mercy, we beseech thee,
upon the whole church of Christ on earth. Let
thy continued pity cleanse and defend it ; and espe-
cially that portion of it with which we are parti-
cularly associated. Preserve it from all perils and
adversities, and cause it to shine in the light of thy
blessing, as a city set on a hill. Defend it from all
heresy and schism. Take away every root of bit-
terness, that all its ministers and people may be
kindly affectioned one to another ; in honor pre-
ferring one another ; not slothful in business ; fer-
168 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
vent in spirit, serving the Lord. On all our con-
gregations and their pastors pour out a spirit of
active and self-denying zeal ; that they may labor
in unity of spirit and in the bond of peace, to pro-
mote the spread of the gospel throughout our land,
and to the uttermost parts of the earth. And to
all the means of grace, and all the efforts of bene-
volence, in the churches in which we minister,
vouchsafe thy favor, to guide, to govern and to
prosper them, that thy glory may be advanced, and
the kingdom of Christ enlarged. We humbly pray
for thy blessing upon the bishops of our church,
and especially upon him who has the spiritual su-
perintendence of the churches under our care.
Endow them richly with all the wisdom, love, ten-
derness, firmness and zeal necessary to the faithful
discharge of the duties of their office. Deeply im-
bue their hearts with the spirit of Christ. May all
their influence be holy. May they lay hands sud-
denly on no man ; and may all those whom they
do ordain to the sacred ministry, be such as will do
the work of evangelists. May they labor in hope,
and so fight the good fight of faith, and finish their
course, that finally they may receive a crown of
righteousness, which fadeth not away, through
Jesus Christ, their Lord and Master.
Ans. O Lord, we beseech thee to hear us.
To all who are or shall be ordained to the various
orders of the ministry in thy church, give thy grace
and heavenly benediction. May they take heed to
themselves and to their doctrine, and be examples
to the flock, in word, in conversation, in charity, in
spirit, in faith and purity, giving no offence in any
thing, that the ministry be not blamed. May they
avoid questions which do but gender strife, and be
gentle unto all men, apt to teach and patient ; in
meekness instructing them who oppose themselves.
In doctrine may they show uncorruptness, gravity,
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 169
Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
sincerity: not being ashamed of the testimony
of the Lord, but ready to be partakers of the
afflictions of the gospel, according to the power
of God. May they show themselves workmen
who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth. Increase, O Lord, we humbly
beseech thee, the number of pious, faithful minis-
ters : thou gracious Lord of the harvest, send into
it laborers qualified and disposed truly to do thy
work. If thou give the word, great will be the
company of the preachers. Do thou, in thy merci-
ful goodness, give shepherds to all destitute flocks,
and build up the waste places of Zion. We pray
thee to give thy blessing to those institutions, in
which candidates for the ministry are educated for
the work whereunto thou shalt be pleased to call
them. Enlighten the understanding, sanctify the
hearts, and prosper the efforts of those who conduct
them; and so enrich the youth connected with
them, that they may become apt and meet to exer-
cise the ministry, to the glory of God, and to the
edifying of his church.
Ans. O Lord, we beseech thee to hear us.
We pray, O gracious Lord, that all Christians
may have more and more of the mind of Christ,
and be diligent in all good works. May all their
endeavors to do thy will be sanctified by thy Spirit,
guided by thy wisdom, and prospered by thy bless-
ing. May an ardent desire for the coming of thy
kingdom unite the hearts, increase the prayers,
and multiply the exertions of all who name them-
selves of Christ. May they pray earnestly and
strive diligently, that the gospel may be preached
to every creature. May we deeply lament the
weakness of our faith, and the coldness of our love
and our zeal for thee and for thy church. O Lord,
we beseech thee, pour out upon all Christian people
the spirit of missions ; the earnest desire, by all
15
170 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers to he used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.
proper means, to spread to all the nations of the
earth the knowledge of Christ, and the doctrines of
eternal life. May the treasury of the Lord be filled
with the means of supporting those who do the
work of evangelists. May thy blessing be with
those servants of Christ who have gone forth to
preach the gospel to the destitute, whether in hea-
then or in Christian lands, and let the power of thy
grace be manifested in their success. Have mercy
upon all idolaters and unbelievers. For the chil-
dren of Israel, unto whom pertained the adoption
and the covenants, and of whom, as concerning the
flesh, Christ came, we offer our earnest interces-
sion. Our hearts' desire and prayer to thee for
Israel is, that they may be saved. From the rising
of the sun unto the going down of the same, let thy
name be great among the Gentiles, and in every
place may incense be offered unto thy name and a
pure offering. O take the heathen for thine inheri-
tance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy
possession.
Ans. O Lord, we beseech thee to hear us,
Finally, O Lord, we beseech thee to have mercy
on us, unworthy sinners. Whatever we need in
time, and for eternity, vouchsafe to grant; and
Avhen we have served thee in our generation, may
we sleep in Jesus, and meet at thy right hand, hav-
ing our garments washed and made white in the
blood of the Lamb. And unto the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be
all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 171
A Prayer for the Success of Missionary Labors.
A Prayer for the Success of Missionary Labors.
O LORD God, our heavenly Father, who, in thy
mercy, hast so loved the world as to give thine only
Son to be our Savior, and hast commanded that the
good tidings of pardon and peace and life, through
faith in him, should be proclaimed to all mankind,
give us hearts, we beseech thee, to be duly thank-
ful for this thy unspeakable goodness, and hear our
supplications and prayers. May a thankful sense
of thy mercy to our fallen, sinful race, awaken in
our hearts a deep concern for the salvation of those
for whom the Savior died. Give thy blessing, we
beseech thee, to the means and efforts used for the
propagation of the gospel, and for extending the
light of thy word through the darkness of this sin-
ful world.
Accept, O Lord, of our supplications for those
nations and people of the earth who are sitting in
the shadow of death, having no hope, and without
God in the world ; and for all who are in error or
ignorance or unbelief. May the Sun of righteous-
ness rise upon them, with healing in his wings.
Take from them all blindness and hardness of heart,
and give them repentance unto life. Bless thy word
wherever it is spoken, and send it to all places
where it is not heard. Look with favor upon the
ministers of thy gospel : give them wisdom and
faith and zeal, and so bless thy word spoken by
their mouth, that the renovating doctrines of eter-
nal life may be truly taught, truly received and
truly followed, and the earth be filled with the
knowledge of the Lord. Give thy blessing, we
beseech thee, to Bible and Missionary societies,
and to all who assist and labor and contribute for
the spread of the gospel, and for the promotion of
172 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for the Success of Missionary Labors.
truth and godliness. Remember them, O Lord, for
good, and prosper and reward their labor of love.
Grant, O God, we beseech thee, that thy minis-
tering servants, who have left their homes, their
friends, and their country, to publish thy truth in
foreign climes, may be under thy special care and
keeping. Preserve them, O thou Father of mercies,
from perils by land and perils by water ; from sick-
ness, from enemies, and from every evil to which
they may be exposed. Give them such wisdom
and such success that they may be instruments of
turning many to righteousness, and hereafter shine
35 the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars,
forever and ever. Guide and bless them, we be-
seech thee, in every effort to extend the knowledge
of Jesus Christ.
And be merciful, O Lord, we beseech thee, to the
perishing souls among whom they labor. Do thou,
who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather
that he should be converted and live to thee, have
mercy upon 'all who are living in sin, and give
them repentance towards thee, the true God, and
faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may
be saved among the true Israelites, and become one
fold under one Shepherd.
And grant, O blessed Lord, that the stewards of
thy mysteries who labor among us in word and
doctrine, may be endued with wisdom from on
high ; and that we may so profit by their ministry,
that in the last day. when our Savior Christ shall
come in glorious majesty to judge the world, we
may rise to life immortal, through him who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever
one God, world without end. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 173
A Prayer for Missionary Societies, &c.
A Prayer for Missionary Societies, and suitable to be used in their
Meetings.
O BLESSED Lord God, who art exalted above the
heavens, and yet, through thine infinite mercy, hast
so loved th world, as to give thine only Son to be
our Savior, and the author of everlasting life ; who,
after he had made perfect our redemption by his
death and resurrection, sent abroad into the world
apostles and prophets and other ministers, to preach
the gospel to every creature, and to make disciples
of all nations ; for these, so great benefits of thy eter-
nal goodness, and that thou art still calling thy mi-
nistering servants to the same labor of love, and dost
inspire in the hearts of many people a pious desire
to strengthen their hand, and to promote the spread
of thy gospel, and the salvation of mankind, we
render thee most hearty thanks; we bless and
praise thy holy name.
Accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, our prayers
and supplications for the ministers of thy gospel ;
give them such wisdom and faith and zeal, and so
bless thy word spoken by their mouth, that thy
work may prosper in their hands, and that humble,
believing souls may in vast numbers fly to thy
church as doves to their windows. Behold in
mercy all those throughout the world who are in
the darkness of error or of unbelief. Take from
them, we beseech thee, all ignorance, hardness of
heart, and opposition to thy holy word; and so
fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that
they may be saved among the remnant of the true
Israelites, and become one fold under one Shepherd,
Jesus Christ.
Give thy blessing, O Lord, we beseech thee, to
all Missionary associations, and to all those who
contribute to support the preaching of the gospel,
174 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another for a Missionary Society.
and labor to extend the borders of the Redeemer's
kingdom. Wilt thou rule their hearts, enlarge their
means, bless them in their pious labors, and remem-
ber them for good.
We beseech thee, O God, to look down with thy
favor and blessing upon us, who, through thy mer-
ciful goodness, are here assembled. Help us to
know thy truth, to do thy will, and to live to thy
glory. Direct us in our humble efforts to extend
the knowledge of thy truth, and the ministrations
of thy gospel to those who need them. [Accept, O
Lord, our alms and oblations.] Grant that what
is cast into thy treasury may be so disposed of and
applied, as to aid in extending the knowledge of thy
salvation, and increasing the practice of pure and
undefiled religion. May all we do be by us de-
signed, and by thee directed, to the setting forth of
thy praise, and to the salvation of ourselves and
others. Assist us mercifully, O Lord, with thy
heavenly grace, and dispose all our ways towards
the attainment of everlasting salvation ; and in all
the changes and perils of this mortal life, may we
ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready
help, through Jesus Christ our Lord* And may
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us ever-
more. Amen.
Another for a Missionary Society.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that
we may perfectly love thee, and on this occasion,
with thankful hearts and holy affections, come be-
fore thee with prayer and praise. We bless thy
holy name that thou hast given thine only Son
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 175
Another for a Missionary Society.
Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world, and that
thou hast commanded the good tidings of pardon
and life, through him, to be proclaimed and taught
to all mankind. Praised be thy name that thou
hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy
grace and faith in thee. We bless thee, O God,
that we live in a land where the gospel is preached
and thy word is known. Make us, we beseech thee,
duly thankful for these and for all thy mercies;
and give us grace to show forth thy praise, by a
holy zeal for enlarging the borders of the Redeem-
er's kingdom, and imparting the light of thy holy
word to those who are in spiritual darkness, and in
the ignorance of unbelief. Be gracious unto thy
church ; grant that every member of it may serve
thee faithfully. May it be so guided by thy good
Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves
Christians may be led into the way of truth, and
hold the faith, once delivered to the saints, in unity
of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteous-
ness of life. Send down, we beseech thee, upon
our bishops and other clergy, and upon the con-
gregations committed to their charge, the healthful
spirit of thy grace ; and that they may truly please
thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy
blessing. Bless thy word wherever it is spoken,
and send it to those places where it is not heard.
Inspire with heavenly wisdom and holy zeal all
the ministers of thy gospel, and those especially
who, as missionaries and evangelists, labor to ex-
tend the borders of the Redeemer's kingdom.
And we implore thy blessing upon those who as-
sociate and who contribute of their substance to
support and to extend the preaching of thy word
and the ministrations of the Savior's gospel ; and
especially upon thy people who are now, by thy
gracious permission, here assembled. Accept, O
Lord, our alms anr! oblations ; and grant that what
176 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another Prayer suitable for Clerical or Missionary Associations.
has been and shall be cast into thy treasury, or
given for missionary purposes, and other pious use,
may be so disposed of and applied, as to be the
means of extending the knowledge of thy saving
truth, and of turning the hearts of the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just. And vouchsafe, O Lord,
so to rule the hearts and bless the labors of all thy
people, that the comfortable gospel of Christ may be
truly preached, truly received and truly followed,
till all the ends of the earth shall rejoice in thy sal-
vation.
Awaken within us a prudent, godly zeal, in pro-
moting our own and others' salvation. Give thy
blessing to all Bible and Missionary societies. May
we never be weary in well doing, but ever rejoice to
be instrumental in extending to others those reli-
gious privileges which through thy blessing we
enjoy. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with
thy most gracious favor, and further us \vith thy
continual help, that in all our works and all our
efforts, we may seek thy glory and do thy will ;
and finally obtain everlasting life, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Another Prayer suitable for Clerical or Missionary Associations.
O HOLY, just and merciful God, unto whom all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, mercifully incline thine ears to
the prayers and supplications which we desire
humbly to ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Be-
hold us in mercy ; forgive our sins ; sanctify our
hearts, and renew a right spirit within us. Impress
upon us a just and deep sense of thy goodness to
us and to all men. Make us duly thankful for the
inestimable gift of a divine Savior, and for the
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 177
Another Prayer suitable for Clerical or Missionary Associations.
knowledge of thy grace and faith in him. Make
us thankful that our lot has fallen in a Christian
land ; that the Holy Scriptures, containing a reve-
lation of thy will, are in our hands ; that the gos-
pel of salvation is preached in our ears ; that
means, and ordinances, and opportunities are given
to teach the doctrines of life, and build us up in thy
holy faith and fear. Make us thankful, O Lord,
for these great blessings, and give us grace to make
a right use of them. May we love the things which
thou commandest, and desire those which thou dost
promise ; and among the manifold changes of this
world, may our hearts be surely fixed where true
joys are to be found.
May the light of thy gospel shine throughout the
world, and they who have received it live as be-
comes it. Revive, O Lord, thy work amongst us,
and extend the light of thy truth to all who are still
living in sin and in the darkness of unbelief. In-
spire with holy zeal the ministers of the gospel;
give them such knowledge and utterance, and so
bless thy word spoken by their mouth, that the
saving doctrines of the cross may be truly preached,
truly received, and truly followed, and the earth be
filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
Awaken in the hearts of thy people an earnest
desire to hold up the hands of thy ministers, and
help them in fulfilling their Master's command, to
preach the gospel to every creature. Give thy
blessing, we beseech thee, to all those who associate
for this purpose, and by their substance, their coun-
sel, and their prayers, endeavor to aid in this pious
work. May they never be weary in well doing.
Pour upon them the abundance of thy blessings :
may they never want the consolations of the faith
and hope which in love they would extend to
others.
Be merciful, O Lord, to all mankind. May sin-
L
178 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another Prayer suitable for Clerical or Missionary Associations.
ners be awakened to righteousness, and turn to
thee with penitence and prayer. May they who
are seeking thy love, find thee in a time accepted.
Wilt thou, O Lord, reveal thyself to them, as thou
dost not to the world. Direct their hearts into the
love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Comfort and encourage them by thy gracious pro-
mises of pardon and acceptance. Those who come
to thee in faith thou wilt not reject. O give unto
them who ask ; let them who seek, find ; open the
door of thy blessed kingdom to those who knock,
that they may find pardon and peace and rest for
their souls.
Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy church with
thy perpetual mercy. Grant that the course of this
world may be so peaceably ordered by thy govern-
ance, that thy people may joyfully serve thee in all
godly quietness. Being hurt by no persecutions
and discouraged by no trials, may we evermore
give thanks unto thee in thy holy church. And
because the frailty of man without thee cannot but
fail, keep us ever, by thy help, from all things hurt-
ful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salva-
tion.
Do thou, O merciful God, who hast permitted us
at this time to unite in supplications unto thee, and
dost promise that when two or three are gathered
together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests ;
graciously hear and fulfil these our desires and peti-
tions, which we ask and present in the name and
through the mediation of Jesus Christ, our blessed
Lord and Savior. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 179
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings on Charitable Occasions.
A Prayer that may be used in Meetings on Charitable Occasions, after
a Sermon and Contribution.
ADORABLE and everliving God, who, by thy right-
eous providence, orderest all things in heaven and
on earth, and whose mercies are, like thy years,
unnumbered, we desire humbly to adore thee for
thy infinite perfections ; we bless thy holy name for
thy manifold favors daily bestowed upon us and
upon all mankind, both spiritual and temporal;
and chiefly we adore thee for thy mercy in Jesus
Christ. Praised be thy name, that thou hast been
pleased to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and
faith in thee ; that we live in a land where the gos-
pel is preached ; and that we are permitted still to
hear it. We bless thee especially for this opportu-
nity of uniting in prayer and praise before thee, and
of hearing the counsels of thy word. May thy
truth be grafted inwardly in our hearts, and bring
forth in us the fruit of good living.
Thou hast taught us that all our doings without
charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Spirit,
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift
of Christian love, which is the bond of peace and
of all virtues, and without which whosoever liveth
is counted as dead before thee. Accept, O Lord,
the alms and oblations and the prayers which we
have offered before thee, not weighing our merits,
but pardoning our offences. Inspire us with that
love which is the fulfilling of the whole law. May
we, through thy grace, be ready to every good
work, and never be weary in well doing.
Behold, we beseech thee, with thy compassionate
mercy, all the sons and daughters of sorrow. Pro-
vide for the fatherless children and widows, and
all who are poor and needy ; and dispose us to be
bountiful according to our means, and to pity those
180 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Another, more general.
who need the comforts which, through thy good-
ness, we enjoy. And when we shall have served
thee in our generation, may we be found acceptable
in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy
well beloved Son shall pronounce to all who love
and serve thee, saying, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from
the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech
thee, O merciful God, through Jesus Christ, our
Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
Another, more general.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son,
Jesus Christ, in tender love to mankind, did take
our nature upon him, and did spend his life in
works of mercy, and went about doing good ; grant
that the spirit may be in us which was in him, the
like benevolence and tender love for mankind.
Make us pitiful, inclined to mercy and good works.
According to our means and opportunities, make
us ready to give and glad to distribute, desir-
ing through thy mercy and our Savior's merits to
lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust
cannot corrupt them. May we love our neighbors
as we love ourselves, and do to all men as we would
have them do to us. May we be ready and dis-
posed to extend to the destitute and needy such
charitable aid as, in a like situation, we should
reasonably desire to receive. May we be merciful
as we hope to obtain mercy, and freely give, from
the consideration that we freely receive.
Behold us, O Lord, with thy favor arid blessing
on this present occasion, and prosper the work
which our hands now find to do. Favorably, \jrith
mercy, hear our prayer, and graciously accept what
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 181
Another Prayer for the Meeting of a Charitable Society.
we contribute to honor thy name, and to benefit
our fellow-men. May all our offerings be made
with pure hearts and charitable affections ; may
they be blest to the promotion of the objects for
which they are given, and be accepted of thee, O
thou God of all mercy and grace, as a sacrifice with
which thou art well pleased.
We are sensible, O God, and may we never for-
get, that our best deeds are without merit before
thee ; we would not put our trust in any thing that
we do. We are unworthy, through our manifold
sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we be-
seech thee to accept this our bounden duty and ser-
vice, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our
offences, and receiving our humble offerings, through
the merits and mediation of thy Son, our Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Another Prayer for the Meeting of a Charitable Society.
O LORD and merciful God, who hast taught us in
thy holy word that the end of the commandment is
charity, and hast promised that the merciful shall
obtain mercy ; we beseech thee favorably to behold
and bless thy servants, the members of the society
here present, who have associated for the benevo-
lent purpose of benefiting their fellow-creatures.
[ The particular object of the society may here be ex-
pressed.} We beseech thee, O Lord, to strengthen,
direct and prosper them in this, their pious work
and labor of love. Enlarge still more their hearts
and their means for doing good. Direct them in all
they do with thy most gracious favor ; prosper them
with thy continual help, and pour upon them the
abundance of thy grace, that their benevolent
labors may be extensively useful, to the glory and
16
182 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Improvement in Sickness.
praise of thy great name, and to the relief and com-
fort of those who need. Wilt thou, O blessed Lord,
remunerate their kindness and remember them for
good. Bless them in their houses and their stores.
The Lord deliver them in the time of trouble : the
Lord preserve and keep them, that they may be
blest upon the earth, and be prepared to dwell with
thee in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
For Improvement in Sickness.*
O GOD and merciful Father, who despisest not
the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desires of
those who are afflicted or distressed, mercifully as-
sist us in the prayers which we would now make
before thee. Thou knowest, Lord, our necessities
before we ask, and the imperfection of our sincerest
prayers. We beseech thee to cleanse our hearts
from the defilement of sin, and to sanctify our
thoughts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit. With
pity behold our infirmities and sorrows, and assist
us in the supplications and prayers which we de-
sire, with all due reverence and humility, to offer
before thee. Turn from us the evils that we have
justly deserved ; and help us, in all dangers and
afflictions, to put our whole trust and confidence in
thy mercy, and patiently submit to thy holy will.
Remember not, Lord, our offences, but thy mercy
to us in Jesus Christ. Grant us that peace which
* In the English " Clergyman's Companion," is a great variety of
prayers for the sick, collected from many eminent divines of the English
church; which, with extracts on other subjects, were republished in
New York in 1806, by the Rev. J. H. Hobart, D. D. ; and in 1828, being
then bishop of that diocese, he published another edition, with altera-
tions and additions. As tnose excellent compilations are probably in
the hands of most of our clergy, I have inserted in this work fewer
prayers for the use of the sick.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 183
For Improvement in Sickness.
the world cannot give, and that comfort of hope
which we are not worthy to ask, but in his most
holy name.
Trusting not in ourselves, but in his merits, and
in thy gracious promise to hear our prayers for the
sick and afflicted, we humbly beseech thee to look
down, with favor and compassion, upon [this fami-
ly visited with affliction. With pity behold their
fears and their sorrows, and support and comfort
and bless them, according as they have need. Pre-
pare them, we beseech thee, for every event of thy
providence. And wilt thou, O merciful God, visit
with the consolations of thy comfort and peace] this
thy servant, visited with sickness. [Here the par-
ticular case may be named.} Look upon him with
the eyes of thy mercy. If it be consistent with thy
goodness, preserve him, we beseech thee, from
bodily pains and distress, and from all needless
doubts and fears and faithless apprehensions. May
his reason be clear, his mind composed, and his
thoughts occupied with spiritual things ; and what-
ever trials and sufferings it may seem good to thee
to inflict, grant him, we beseech thee, patience to
bear the rod, and grace to know who hath appoint-
ed it. According to his day, so may his strength
be. May his soul, being awakened to righteous-
ness and renewed by grace, rely upon thy mercy,
confident that thou art wise and good in all thy
dealings, and that thou lovest those whom thy hand
correcteth. Give him a deep sense of thy power
arid authority over all the works of thy hand.
Knowing that the Lord is just, may every murmur-
ing thought be suppressed, and patience have its
perfect work in a cheerful resignation to thy uner-
ring will. May he wait thy pleasure with humble
submission, knowing that thou art patient with a
returning sinner, and that all things work for good
to those who love and fear thee.
184 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Improvement in Sickness.
And grant, O Lord, that he may be more desirous
that this affliction should be sanctified, than that it
should be removed. Give him grace to profit by
this visitation, as an occasion of spiritual improve-
ment. May it awaken in his mind a more lively
sense of the shortness and uncertainty of this pre-
sent life, and of the vast importance of being pre-
pared for a future state. Grant him that repent-
ance which is not to be repented of, and that faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ which reneweth the heart,
worketh by love, and overcometh the world. May
he look unto Jesus as the author and finisher of his
faith, and the end of the law for righteousness to
those who believe. O visit him with thy salvation :
support him by thy grace ; do for him, and work in
him, whatever is necessary for his present comfort
and eternal good ; and grant him such a lively hope
of thy mercy in Jesus Christ, that he may say with
thy apostle, For me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.
But thou knowest, Lord, the weakness of our
nature, and how little it is that we can bear. That
his patience fail not, and for the glory of thy great
name, wilt thou return in mercy and say to this
affliction, It is enough. All medicines act by thy
decree ; all means prevail if thou shall bless them.
Bless, we beseech thee, the means and remedies
used and applied for restoring our brother to health
and ease. Give wisdom to those who minister, and
strength to him who receives them. But let no
confidence in natural means or human skill dimi-
nish his hope and trust in thee. If it be thy good
pleasure that his health may be restored, may his
love to thee increase, and a thankful sense of thy
goodness induce him to devote the residue of his
life to the God who giveth it. May the remainder
of his days be spent in thy service and to thy glory.
And whatever may be thy wise purpose respecting
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 185
For a Person in a Decline, or dangerously sick.
his term of days here on the earth, give him grace,
we beseech thee, so to take thy visitation, that,
after this painful life is ended, he may dwell with
thee in life everlasting. Dispose his heart, to re-
turn his spirit willingly to thee who gavest it, as
into the hands of a faithful Creator ; and with great
humility and a deep sense of thy goodness, to look
and hope for thy salvation in Jesus Christ.
And grant, O Lord, that each and all of us, in
our best estate of health, may seriously consider,
and continually remember, how frail and sinful and
mortal we are. May we not boast ourselves of to-
morrow, nor forget our dependence upon thee. May
we not abuse thy patience and long-suffering by
sinful vanities, nor incumber our minds with need-
less cares, deceitful pleasures, or unprofitable pur-
suits of this present world. Grant us grace to pass
the time of our sojourning here in thy faith and
fear ; and to live so righteously, soberly and godly
in this present world, as becometh those who must
shortly die ; as becometh those who are redeemed
from death by the precious blood of Jesus Christ ;
as becometh those who must soon appear before
thy judgment seat. Hear us, O merciful God, we
humbly beseech thee, for thy mercy's sake in Jesus
Christ. Amen.
For a Person in a Decline, or dangerously sick.
O MOST merciful and gracious God, who art the
hope of all the ends of the earth, and our only re-
fuge in distress, with great reverence and humility,
and a deep sense of our unworthiness, we would
bow ourselves in the dust before thee. To thee be-
long mercies and forgiveness, though we have sin-
ned and done wickedly. Remember not, Lord, our
186 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
For a Person in a Decline, or dangerously sick.
offences, but thy mercy to mankind in Jesus Christ.
For his sake we beseech thee to blot out our of-
fences, and forgive our multiplied transgressions.
Most just art thou, O Lord, in all thy dealings
with the sons of men. Affliction cometh not of the
dust ; thy righteous providence governeth all things
here below. Sickness and pains and sorrows are
the dispensations of thy hand, and are less than
our sins deserve. In the midst of life we are in
death ; to whom can we fly for help and salvation
but unto thee who for our sins art justly displeased !
Trusting in thy compassionate mercy, we beseech
thee, O God, to accept our prayers and intercessions
for this thy servant. Do thou, to whom belong the
issues of life and death, and in whom alone dwell-
eth all the fulness of mercy and grace, strengthen,
support and comfort him according to the necessity
of his case. Give him unfeigned repentance for all
the errors of his life past, and a steadfast faith in
thy Son Jesus Christ. Endue his soul with pa-
tience and resignation to thy holy will. Enable
him to see love in thy rod and justice in thy deal-
ings, and to bow in submission before thee. May
he neither despise thy chastening nor faint under
thy rebukes, but make improvement from this visi-
tation, as an opportunity for his soul's benefit.
May his heart be raised in hope and love to thee.
Reveal to his soul the comforts of thy mercy in
Jesus Christ, and of thy reconciled countenance.
Forsake him not in this momentous trial of his
faith and patience, but visit him with thy salva-
tion. Preserve him, if such be thy good pleasure,
from bodily pains, and discouragement of mind.
Whatever of good is fitting for us to ask and for
him to receive, we beseech thee in thy mercy to
bestow. Prolong his days here on the earth, for
the, comfort of his friends, and that he may do good
in his generation. Bless the food and the remedies
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 187
' For a Person in a Decline, or dangerously sick.
administered to the increase of his bodily strength,
and, if it be thy good pleasure, to his restoration to
perfect health. Do thou, who heardst the prayers
of Hezekiah on the bed of sickness, lengthen his
years on earth, and help him to devote them to thee
in a holy and obedient walking before thee.
But if thou hast in thy wisdom otherwise ap-
pointed, and whether sooner or later it shall be thy
pleasure to remove him from this life, fit and pre-
pare him, we humbly beseech thee, for immortal
blessedness. Reform whatever is amiss in the tem-
per and disposition of his mind. Give him un-
feigned repentance for all the sins of his past life ;
mercifully forgive whatever offences he may have
committed against thee. Grant him a sound and
steadfast and victorious faith in our Savior Christ.
Raise his affections from the things of this world to
the joys of immortality. Make his repentance per-
fect, his faith lively and strong, his hope steadfast,
his reason clear, his patience unshaken, his sub-
mission humble, and his resignation complete. And
when the lamp of life shall expire, when the time
shall come, whether soon, or at some distant peri-
od, that his soul shall be freed from its mortal pri-
son, may it find a safe and easy passage to the
world above; and, being washed and sanctified in
the blood of Christ, be numbered among the spirits
of just men made perfect.
And now, what, Lord, is our hope? truly our
hope is in thee. Whom else have we in heaven,
and what is there on earth that we can reasonably
desire in comparison of thee, our God and Savior 1
Make us ever mindful of the time when we shall
lie down to sleep in the dust. May we so apply
our hearts unto true wisdom, that we may die the
death of the righteous, and our last end be like his.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts ;
shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare
188 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a sick Person.
us, good Lord, spare the people whom thou hast
redeemed with thy precious blood. O holy, just
and merciful God, thou righteous Savior of a sinful
world, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal
death. Preserve us through life from the peril of
temptation, and suffer us not, at our last hour, for
any fear of death, to fall from thee. Raise us, we
beseech thee, from the death of sin to a life of right-
eousness, that when we depart this life we may rest
in Jesus Christ ; and at the general resurrection, in
the last day, be found acceptable in thy sight, and
receive, through the merits of the Savior's blood,
the rewards and felicity prepared for the righteous
in heaven. With those who have departed this
life in thy faith and fear, may we have our perfect
consummation and bliss, in thy eternal kingdom of
life and glory, through the merits of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for a Sick Person, when there appeareth but little or no hope
of recovery.
O FATHER of mercies and God of all comfort,
with whom belong the issues of life and death, and
who art our only hope in time of danger or dis-
tress, with deep reverence and humility we would
look unto thee for succor in behalf of this thy ser-
vant here lying under thy hand in great weakness
of body. Behold him, O Lord, in mercy, and sup-
port him with thy heavenly grace ; though the out-
ward man decay and nature fail, strengthen him,
we beseech thee, with thy Holy Spirit. Remember
not, Lord, his offences past ; grant him, O merciful
God, through the merits of a righteous Savior, re-
pentance unfeigned and sincere for all his sins, and
that righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ.
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 189
A Prayer for a. sick Person.
Shouldst thou be extreme to mark iniquities, O
Lord, who could stand ! but there is forgiveness
with thee, that thou mayst be feared. Let thine
ears be attentive to our humble supplications ; may
thy forgiveness be extended to this our brother, who,
in this hour of bodily weakness, and in this mo-
mentous trial of his faith and hope, would look
unto thee who alone canst save. With confidence
in thy mercy, and trusting in thy gracious pro-
mises, we would commend him into thy hands, as
into the hands of a faithful Creator, and a merciful
Savior ; praying that thou wilt work in him and do
for him what shall be best for his present comfort,
and for his eternal good. Preserve him, O God, if
it be consistent with thy wisdom, from bodily
pains, and bless whatever shall be ministered for
his comfort and ease. May he have strength and
patience to bear whatever thy just hand shall in-
flict, and grace to make all the improvement from
this sickness which thy wisdom intendeth.
There is nothing, O Lord, impossible with thee.
Shouldst thou speak the word, he would be restored
to health ; and we beseech thee, O God, if it be
consistent with thy unerring wisdom, that thou
wilt raise him up and grant him a longer continu-
ance on the earth. O spare him a little, before he
go hence and be no more seen ! If thy wisdom has
otherwise appointed, O be thou merciful to his soul,
and fit and prepare him for a happier state. Sanc-
tify his heart, and renew a right spirit within him.
Preserve him from the temptations of the enemy,
and from all desponding fears. May he know and
feel that thou art a God, mighty to save ; and plead
with thee, in a lively faith, the merits of an infinite
Savior. And when thou shalt call him hence, may
he depart in peace, and his soul be received into
those heavenly mansions which the Savior has pre-
pared for those who love him.
190 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a sick Person.
And teach those of us, O God, who survive
amidst the daily scenes of mortality which surround
us, to realize how short and uncertain is human
life, that whatever our hands find to do, we may do
it with all diligence and care, before that night
cometh in which no man can work. Teach us to
watch and to pray, and to remember that the Son
of man cometh at an hour which we know not.
Thou, Lord, only knowest how soon we shall be
as water spilt on the ground. May we ever be
mindful of the one thing needful, and finish our
work before our course is done. Hear us, O Lord,
we beseech thee, for thy mercy's sake in Jesus
Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for a Sick Person, when there is reason to hope that he is
convalescent.
MERCIFUL and gracious God, the Giver and the
Preserver of our lives, we desire to approach thee,
in humble confidence that thou wilt hear the prayer
of faith, and impart thy grace to those who need.
We know, and we thankfully acknowledge, that all
things, in heaven and on earth, are at thy just and
wise disposal, and that not a sparrow falleth ex-
cept the Lord permit. We beseech thee, O God, to
pardon our sins, and to accept the supplications and
prayers which, with all due reverence and submis-
sion, we desire now to present before thee. May
we come before thee with penitence and faith;
with a thankful sense of thy unnumbered mercies,
and with a holy confidence in thy word and pro-
mises, revealed in Jesus Christ. Permit us, O Lord,
[again] to plead with thee in behalf of this our sick
brother, who [still] would look unto thee for suc-
cor. Most cordially do we unite with him in hum-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 191
A Prayer for a sick Person.
ble, grateful and devout acknowledgments of thy
great and manifold goodness vouchsafed to him at
all times, and especially during his present sick-
ness. We bless thee, O Lord, that thou hast not
forsaken him in this trial of his faith and patience ;
but hast visited him with many comforts, [and en-
abled him to bear this visitation with resignation to
thy holy will ; that thou hast, as we humbly
hope and trust, brought him nearer to thyself, and
revealed to his soul the comforts of thy love in Je-
sus Christ] We thank thee that he is surrounded
with kind friends, and with many temporal com-
forts. [We bless thee, O thou God of all mercy,
that, as we have reason to hope, thou hast sent him
relief, and that his sickness has abated.] Thou
art able to give him full strength, and to raise him
up to perfect health. We beseech thee, O Lord, if
it be consistent with thy wisdom, that thou wilt ex-
tend to him this great blessing ; that thou wilt give
medicine to heal his sickness, and prosper the means
and remedies ministered and applied, to his entire
relief. He is weak, but thou art almighty : he is
brought low, but speak the word only, and he shall
be made whole. Restore him, we beseech thee, to
health of body, vigor of mind, and cheerfulness of
spirit, that he may go to thy house, and offer thee,
with great gladness, the sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving, the fruit of his lips, and the oblation
of his heart : may he pay his vows in the presence
of all thy people, and spend the remainder of his
days in a holy and obedient walking in the way of
thy commandments.
And wilt thou, O God, refresh his mind with
spiritual comforts. Dispose him, in all things, to
submit to thy righteous will. May he not be im-
patient under thy hand, but, through thy grace, be-
have suitably in every trial, and perform every duty
which thou requirest. Sanctify this visitation, to
192 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a sick Person.
the purifying of his heart from all sinful affections,
and building him up in thy holy faith, till he arrives
at the perfect stature of the fullness of Christ.
Grant him a lively hope in thy heavenly promises,
which shall be a helmet of salvation upon his head.
O may his whole heart and soul be more and more
conformed to the Savior's image. May the un-
certainty of life and the frailty of this mortal na-
ture, raise the more earnestly his hopes and desires
to the immortal glories of the Redeemer's kingdom,
and the endless joys of the world to come.
And we beseech thee, O Lord, to behold, with
thy favor and blessing, all the sick and afflicted,
bestowing upon them temporal comforts and spiri-
tual consolations. Awakened by the visitations of
thy mighty hand to a deep sense of the one thing
needful, may their thoughts and their hopes be
raised to thee. Give them repentance towards God,
and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ, that their
sins may be done away by thy mercy, and their
pardon sealed in heaven before they depart to the
eternal world. May they whom thy rod correcteth
neither despise thy chastenings, nor faint under thy
rebukes, but make improvement from their sorrows
to the benefit of their souls.
And we bless thy holy name for all thy servants
departed this life in thy faith and fear, beseeching
thee to give us grace so to follow their good exam-
ples, that with them we may be partakers of thy
heavenly kingdom. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech
thee, for Christ's sake, and hear the prayer which
he has taught us :
Our Father who art, &c. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 193
A Prayer for one who is not able to unite understandingly in it.
A Prayer for one who, from the nature of his sickness or other cause, is
not able to unite understandingly in it.
O GOD and merciful Father, who despisest not
the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the humble de-
sires of those who look to thee for aid, mercifully
behold our sorrows and hear our prayers. In the
midst of life we are exposed to sickness, pains and
death. To whom can we fly for refuge in distress
but unto thee, O God, who, for our sins, art justly
displeased, and art of purer eyes than to behold
evil. Holy and just art thou in all thy ways, and
righteous and merciful in thy dealings with the chil-
dren of men. Humbly we implore thy forgiveness
of our manifold transgressions. With pity behold
the sorrows of our hearts and the infirmity of our
nature, and turn from us those evils which we just-
ly have deserved.
May we be duly thankful, that amidst the mani-
fold sorrows of this mortal state, thou art a God of
refuge, hearing prayer and pitying the distressed.
In the confidence of this faith, we beseech thee, O
Lord, to accept our supplications and prayers for
those who are unable to pray for themselves ; who
by reason of mental disorder, or bodily weakness
or distress, are not able to call on thee for what
they need. Though we are unworthy, by reason
of our sins, to pray on our own behalf, and to of-
fer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee, O
God, to permit us to intercede particularly for this
thy servant, beseeching thee to compassionate his
infirmity. Whatever good is fitting for us to ask,
and for him to receive, we beseech thee, in thy
merciful goodness, to bestow. Write not his sins
against him, O thou Preserver of men, but remem-
ber thy love in Jesus Christ. Thou knowest, Lord,
17 M
194 GRISWOLD'S PRATERS.
A Prayer for one who is not able to unite understandingly in it.
his case, and his thoughts, and what he needs ; vre
beseech thee to strengthen and relieve him, accord-
ing to his necessities. So far as he is now capable
of knowing thy will and his duty, may he be re-
signed and submissive ; trusting in the merits of a
righteous Savior. Enlighten his mind with thy
heavenly grace. Hear the prayers of his friends.
The less able he is to pray for himself, the more
earnest should be our supplications on his behalf.
Preserve him, we beseech thee, from bodily pains.
Bless to his use and benefit the food and medicine
which may be administered. Restore him, if it be
consistent with thy unerring wisdom, to health of
body and to soundness and vigor of mind, that At*
soul may bless thy holy name. Sanctify his suffer-
ings to the benefit of his soul, and to the promotion
of his salvation in Jesus Christ.
Blessed be thy holy name, that in the midst of
judgment thou rememberest mercy ; that thou
lovest those whom thy rod correcteth ; that thou
givest ease to torturing pains, mingling many com-
forts with life's bitterest portion. Shall we receive
good at thy hand, and shall we not receive evil 7
Help us, in all the sufferings and other trials of
life, to say with our blessed Savior, Not as we will,
but as thou wilt.
All flesh is as grass, and passeth away as the
flower of the field. Make us deeply sensible of the
shortness and uncertainty of human life, and let
thy Spirit guide and support us through this vale of
misery in holiness and righteousness, that when we
have served thee in our generation, we may depart
this life in peace ; having the testimony of a good
conscience ; in the communion of thy holy church ;
in the confidence of a true faith ; in the comfort of
a sure religious hope ; in favor with thee our God,
and in perfect charity with all the world.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, and hear us in these
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 195
A Prayer for a sick Child.
our supplications, and dispose our ways towards
the attainment of everlasting salvation. Among
all the changes and sorrows of this mortal life, may
we ever be defended by thy most gracious and
ready help.
These things, and whatever else thou seest ne-
cessary for us, for our sick friend, [for this family,]
and for the whole family of mankind, we humbly
ask, in the name, and through the merits of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for a Sick Child.
ALMIGHTY God and most merciful Father, the
Giver and the Preserver of our lives ; to thee be-
long the issues of life and death ; to thee alone can
frail and sinful mortals fly for refuge in distress.
Thou hast taught us by thy Son, Jesus Christ, that
if we ask in true faith we shall receive ; that if we
seek, we shall find ; that if we knock, the gates of
thy mercy shall be opened unto us. With humble
reverence we bow before thee, beseeching thee gra-
ciously to look upon our afflictions ; with pity to
behold the sorrows of our hearts ; mercifully to for-
give our sins, and favorably to hear our prayers.
Graciously hear us, we humbly beseech thee : O
blessed Lord, graciously hear our prayers, and grant
the petitions which, in the name of Jesus Christ, we
humbly present before thee. Look with thy com-
passionate favor upon this child visited with sick-
ness. Visit him, O Lord, with thy salvation. His
life is in thy hand ; may it be precious in thy sight.
Thou hast but to speak the word, and this child
shall be well from the same hour. Deliver him, O
Lord, we beseech thee, in thy good appointed time,
from bodily pain and sickness, and save his soul
196 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a sick Child.
for thy mercy's sake. Behold with pity the fears
and sorrows of those who acknowledge their de-
pendence, and rejoice that they are dependent upon
a righteous, merciful and prayer-hearing God,
whose tender mercies are over all thy works ; who
dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of
men ; who intendest good in thy severest chastise-
ments, and lovest the soul whom thy hand correct-
eth. If it be thy good pleasure that this child may
live, and his days be prolonged on the earth, re-
lieve him, we beseech thee, from bodily distress :
bless the means which are used for restoring him to
health. All medicines act by thy decree, and none
can fail if thou shalt bless them. Grant that this
child may live to thee. Guide and preserve him
through all the dangers of life, both of soul and
body. Make him a comfort to his friends, a bless-
ing to the earth, and an instrument of thy glory, by
serving thee faithfully, and doing good in his gene-
ration.
But if in thy . wisdom thou hast otherwise ap-
pointed, and it be thy purpose to remove him from
this world of pain and sins and sorrows, receive
him, O God, we humbly beseech thee, into those
heavenly habitations of life and glory, where the
souls of those who rest in Jesus Christ enjoy per-
petual felicity. May his soul be washed and sanc-
tified in the Savior's blood. Give now unto us who
ask ; let us who seek, find ; open to us who knock,
that this child may enjoy thy heavenly benediction,
and rest in the arms of that blessed Savior who has
said, "Of such is the kingdom of God."
And wilt thou behold with compassion the dis-
tressing anxiety of the afflicted parents. Relieve
them from their fears and apprehensions. Restore,
we beseech thee, their beloved child to their arms in
health ; and may he long live to their comfort and
to thy glory, a member of Christ, a child of God,
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 197
A Prayer that may be used on a Funeral Occasion.
and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven. Or
give them grace to submit with patience to thy su-
perior wisdom, sensible that the Lord gave what he
taketh away. Prepare them for every event of thy
providence. In all their sorrows help them to say
with thy servant of old, " It is the Lord, let him do
what seemeth to him good." Give them, O Lord, in
the abundant fruition of thy grace, a better portion
than sons or daughters an unfading inheritance
among thy saints in light, where the righteous shall
be forever happy. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech
thee, for the worthiness of thy Son, our Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used with a Family and their Friends on a Fu-
neral Occasion.
O ETERNAL and everliving God, whose wise and
just providence governeth all things in heaven and
on earth ; who hatest nothing that thou hast made,
and hast compassion upon the children of men ; we
lift our eyes to thee as the Father of mercies, and
our only help in time of sorrow and distress. With
great reverence and humility, and with a deep sense
of our unworthiness, we desire on this occasion to
bow before thee in penitence and prayer.
Most just art thou, O Lord, in all thy dealings
with mankind: affliction cometh not of the dust:
the sorrows which visit the hearts of men receive
commission all from thee. Sickness and pains and
death are the dispensations of thy righteous hand,
and they are less than our sins deserve. Thou art
faithful and true in all thy ways : equity and judg-
ment are the habitation of thy seat. We acknow-
ledge the justice of that sentence which thou hast
pronounced upon our fallen race, " Dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return." It is of thy mer-
17*
198 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used on a Funeral Occasion.
cy, and because thy compassion faileth not, that we
are not consumed : that we yet remain living
monuments of thy forbearing mercy, and are per-
mitted to address thee-in supplication and prayer.
Graciously, O Lord, look upon us, in this season
of affliction ; mercifully forgive our sins ; with pity
behold the sorrow of our hearts; favorably hear
our prayers, which, on this mournful occasion, we
desire to offer before thy gracious throne.
Awakened by this painful visitation of thy pro-
vidence, which hath called us [again] to the house
of mourning, we adore thy justice ; we would bow
with submission and reverential awe. Extend, O
Lord, thy compassionate mercy to each and all of
us, who are here present. Forgive us our sins, and
renew a right spirit within us. Spare us, O Lord,
spare the people whom thou hast redeemed. Teach
us so to number our days upon the earth, and so to
apply our hearts unto true wisdom, that amidst all
the changes and sorrows of this world, pur hearts
may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to
be found.
Grant, O heavenly Father, that the occasion, on
which we are now assembled, may cause us to re-
flect upon our mortality, and truly to repent of our
sins. May our mourning be after a godly sort;
may we consider that death is the lot of all men,
and must soon be ours ; and, through thy grace,
may we so lay it to heart, that we may never be
afraid, nor unprepared to die. While we sympa-
thize in the sorrows of our mourning friends, and
weep with those whom thou hast called to weep,
may our thoughts be raised to a better hope in a
better world. Amidst these painful proofs thai the
wages of sin is death, may we rejoice in the conso-
lation, that the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ ; that this corruptible shall put on in-
corruption, and that, through the mighty power of
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 199
A Prayer that may be used on a Funeral Occasion.
Him who is the resurrection and the life, the faith-
ful shall rise to life immortal.
We bless thee, O God, that thou didst so love the
world as to give thine only-begotten Son, that all
who believe in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life : that he took not the nature of an-
gels, but the seed of Abraham ; and lived and died
and rose from the dead, that we may live through
him. We praise thee that life and immortality are
brought to light, and that our hopes are raised from
this our fallen state of sorrow and death, to glori-
ous mansions of rest and peace. Raise, we beseech
thee, our affections and our desires from the world
to thee, and our hearts from the death of sin to a
life of righteousness. Dispose our thoughts and di-
rect our ways towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation, that, amidst all the cares and sorrows of
this mortal state, we may ever be defended by thy
most gracious and ready help. Sanctify to our re-
ligious improvement this mournful dispensation of
thy just providence, that when we are called to
leave this world, we may die the death of the right-
eous, and our last end be like his.
In thy word hast thou taught us, O heavenly
Father, that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve
the children of men ; look with pity, we beseech
thee, upon the sorrows of thy servants, who on this
occasion are called to mourn. [We commend to
thy compassionate goodness the sorrows of the pa-
rents for their child deceased.] In thy wisdom hast
thou seen fit to visit them with sorrow, and to bring
this great distress upon them. Remember them, O
Lord, in mercy, and sanctify thy fatherly correction
to them. Endue their soul with patience under
their affliction, and with resignation to thy blessed
will. Comfort them with a sense of thy goodness,
and give peace to their troubled mind.
Grant, O Lord, that they [the brothers and sisters
200 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used on a Funeral Occasion.
of the deceased] may be blest with the comforting
support of thy grace. While following the remains
of -so dear a connection from the house of mourning
to the house of death, may thy Spirit and the com-
fort of thy peace be with them. May they not mourn
without hope : viewing the grave as the place
where the Lord Jesus lay, may their desires be
raised to the high and holy place where he in glory
forever reigns.
[Extend, we beseech thee, thy compassionate
goodness to the surviving companion of the de-
ceased. In this distressing sorrow may thy heaven-
ly grace be with him, and so sanctify, O righteous
God, this severe affliction, that what seems so great
a loss may conduce to his eternal gain. With
pious submission to thy unerring wisdom, may he
resign this dear friend to thy superior claim ; may
he know and feel that the Lord gave what he taketh
away ; that thou art just and good in all thy ways,
and that thy mercy endureth for ever.]
And for all whom this event of thy providence
has called to mourn, whether present or absent, be
pleased, O God, to hear our supplications. Prepare
them to make, and assist them in making all suita-
ble improvement from this affliction. Give them
grace to bear this bereavement with such humility
and resignation as becometh the gospel of Jesus
Christ. May they neither despise thy chastening,
nor faint under thy rebukes ; but say, with thy ser-
vant of old, " It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth
to him good." May their hopes and desires be so
raised to thee and to heavenly things, that, when
they depart this life, they may rest in God, through
Jesus Christ.
Assist us, O Lord, in what remains of the mourn-
ful duties to which we are now called. May the
comforts of thy truth, and power of thy grace, be
with thy people, while, with decent solemnity, they
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 201
A Prayer that may be used at a Funeral.
commit these earthly remains to the ground ; look-
ing, with the eye of faith, to the resurrection of the
dead, and the life of the world to come.
And grant, O merciful God, that the mournful
solemnities of this day may awaken us to right-
eousness. Let us not be forgetful that our days are
swiftly passing away, and that every hour shortens
our scanty span. Give us grace to live as those
who are born to die, and whose spirits must soon
depart to the eternal world. Grant that the short-
ness of life may continually remind us of its impor-
tance, and the uncertainty of its continuance make
us ever ready and prepared for its end.
And we bless thy holy name for all thy servants
who have departed this life in thy faith and fear, be-
seeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good
examples, that with them we may be partakers of
thy heavenly kingdom. Hear us, O Lord, we be-
seech thee, for the sake of thy Son, our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with us all, now and evermore. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used at a Funeral, when there is not to be a Ser-
vice at the Grave.
O God and merciful Father, who despisest not
the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the humble de-
sires of those who are visited with sorrow, gra-
ciously assist our prayers which we make before thee
in our present afflictions. In mercy behold our sor-
rows and hear our supplications. In the midst of
life we are in death : to whom can we flee for suc-
cor but to thee, O God, who for our sins art justly
displeased ! To whom can sinners fly for refuge
but to thee, to whom belong mercies and forgive-
ness : to thee, who art always more ready to hear
202 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may he used at a Funeral.
than we to pray, and art wont to give more than
we desire or deserve. Favorably and in mercy
hear our supplications; with pity behold the in-
firmity of our nature and the sorrow of our hearts,
and pardon our manifold offences.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short
time to live, and is full of misery : he cometh up
and is cut down like a flower ; he fleeth, as it
were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
Our days at the longest are short, and at the strong-
est are frail ; and when we feel the most secure, we
know not what a day or an hour may bring forth.
We consume away in thy displeasure, and are
afraid at thy wrathful indignation. When thou art
angry, all our days are gone ; we bring our years to
an end as it were a tale that is told. Yet, O Lord
most holy, O God most mighty, O merciful Savior,
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts : shut
not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us,
Lord most holy : thou worthy Judge eternal, suffer
us not, at our last hour, to fall from thee. Support
us, O Lord, through life by thy free Spirit, and direct
our ways towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation, that, among all the changes and trials of
this mortal state, we may ever be defended by thy
most gracious and ready help, and finally be re-
ceived into thy heavenly mansions of glory and
peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It hath pleased thee, O righteous God, to take out
of this world the soul of our deceased friend ; help
us, we beseech thee, with* due submission to thy un-
erring providence, decently to commit his body to
the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust
to dust: and help us to look forward in faith
and hope to the general resurrection in the last
day, and the life of the world to come, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose second coming in
&RIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 203
A Prayer that may be used at a Funeral.
glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and
the sea shall give up their dead, and the corruptible
bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed
and made like unto his own glorious body, accord-
ing to the mighty working, whereby he is able to
subdue all things unto himself. Thou hast taught
us, by a voice from heaven, that blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord. Grant us grace so to
live, that when it shall please thee to call us hence,
we may die the death of the righteous, and our last
end be like his. Thou has taught us, O heavenly
Father, in thy holy word, that thou dost not wil-
lingly afflict or grieve the children of men ; look
with pity, we beseech thee. upon the sorrows of
thy servants, who, by this event of thy providence,
are called to mourn. In thy wisdom thou hast seen
fit to visit them with sorrow, [to take from them, &c.
Here the particular case of the mourners may be
mentioned.] Remember them, O Lord, in mercy.
Sanctify thy fatherly correction to them. Endue their
souls with patience under their affliction, and with
resignation to thy blessed will. Comfort them with
a sense of thy goodness ; lift up thy countenance
upon them and give them peace, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Raise us, O merciful God, from the death of sin
to a life of righteousness, that when we shall de-
part this life, we may rest in him who is the resur-
rection and the life ; and in the last and great day
of the Lord, may we be found acceptable in thy
sight, and receive that blessing which he shall then
pronounce to all who love and fear thee ; saying,
Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive
the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning
of the world. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech thee,
for the sake of the same, thy Son, our Savior;
and hear the prayer which he hath taught us to use :
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
204 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a Family in Affliction.
name. Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever and ever. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
A Prayer for a Family in Affliction.
O MOST mighty God and merciful Father, who
hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing
that thou hast made ; who despisest not the humble
desires of those who fly to thee for succor, behold
our afflictions, and mercifully hear our prayers.
Encompassed as we are by sorrows, pains and
death, to whom can we look for succor but unto
thee, O God, whom we are daily offending by our
manifold sins, and who art of purer eyes than to
behold evil. Create and make in us new and con-
trite hearts, that we may truly repent of our sins,
and obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect
remission and forgiveness.
Righteous art thou, O God, and just in all thy
dealings ; equity and judgment are the habitation
of thy seat ; goodness and mercy are in all thy
dealings with the children of men. We acknow-
ledge, O Lord, that our sufferings are less than our
sins deserve ; that it is of thy mercy, and because
thy compassion faileth not, that we are not con-
sumed. But thou knowest, O Lord, the weakness
of our nature, and how little it is that we can bear.
That our strength fail not, and for thy mercy's sake,
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 205
A Prayer for a Family in Affliction.
behold us with compassion, and turn from us those
evils which we too justly have deserved.
We are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to
offer unto thee any sacrifice ; yet, we beseech thee
to hear these our supplications and prayers, not
weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences.
May we be thankful that there is a merciful God,
to whom the afflicted and the weak may look for
comfort and support. Confiding in thy mercy and
thy gracious promises, we implore, O heavenly
Father, thy compassionate favor upon this family,
who desire, in humble supplication, to look to thee
for aid. To thee, O Lord, it seemeth fitting to visit
them with sorrow and distress. [The particular
affliction may here be mentioned.} Thou knowest,
O Lord, their fears, tJieir sorrows, and what they
need. Wilt thou relieve, comfort and support
them, according to the necessities of their case.
Forsake them not, we humbly beseech thee ; for-
sake not the souls whom thy hand correcteth.
Thou art able to turn mourning into gladness, and
to give songs of joy for the heaviness of sorrow.
O remember them in mercy ; relieve them from dis-
tress, and sanctify their fears and their sorrows to
the benefit of their souls. Prepare them, O Lord,
for every event of thy providence : turn from them
the evils of life, and sustain them under those trials
of their faith and patience, to which it may seem
to thee good to call them. In all the changes and
disappointments of life, help them, with becoming
resignation, and a deep sense of thy righteous deal-
ings, to submit to thy will, and to say in their
hearts, Thy will be done. Help them, O Lord, to
see love in thy dealings, and to know that temporal
afflictions, through thy blessing, tend to spiritual
good. Help theni to say with thy servant Job,
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and
shall we not receive evil 1 O may this evil, this
18
206 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a Prisoner, or Prisoners, under Sentence of Death.
weight of sorrow, which rests so hard upon them,
through thy blessing, be turned to good ; and may
they know and feel from happy experience, that all
things work together for good, to those who love
and fear thee.
Do thou, O God, who art the fountain of all wis-
dom, mercy and grace, who knowest our necessities
before we ask, and our ignorance in asking, have
compassion upon our infirmities ; pardon us where-
in we ask amiss ; grant the petitions which we
have now offered; and all those good things which,
through blindness or neglect, we do not ask for,
vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for a Prisoner, or Prisoners, under Sentence of Death.
O FATHER of mercies, and God of all comfort, the
only hope of all the ends of the earth, we, thy sin-
ful, unworthy creatures, desire, with great and
reverential awe, to bow before thee, and to look
unto thee for succor, in behalf of this thy servant,
under sentence of condemnation. According to
human appearance, his days on earth are num-
bered, and the time of his departure is at hand.
Remember not, Lord, his offences, but thy mercy to
mankind in Jesus Christ. In the midst of life we
are in death ; to whom can sinful, dying mortals
look for aid, but unto thee, O God, who, for our sins,
art justly displeased. Yet, O Lord God, most holy,
thou worthy Judge eternal, deliver him not into the
bitter pains of eternal death. O holy and merciful
Savior, accept his tears and supplications. Grant
him sincere and true repentance for all the sins and
transgressions of his life past, that he may obtain
of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 207
A Prayer for a Prisoner, or Prisoners, under Sentence of Death.
and forgiveness, and his pardon be sealed in hea-
ven, before he go hence, and be no more seen. Do
thou, who of thine infinite goodness didst accept
the penitential prayer of a sinner on the cross, ex-
tend thy mercy to this thy servant; accept him, O
thou Savior of men, for thy mercy's sake, and
wash away his guilt by thy most precious blood.
Support him, O Lord, in this momentous trial, by
the comforts of thy Holy Spirit. May he look, with
a true faith and sure confidence, to Him who, while
we were yet sinners, died for us. Grant him
such a view of thy mercy in Jesus Christ, that he
may not fear the approach of death ; but, looking
beyond the grave, to the high and holy place where
the Savior reigns, may he rejoice in the hope of
eternal life. May he depart this life in a religious
and holy hope, in favor with thee^our God, and
in perfect charity with all mankind.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of his heart :
shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers on his
behalf. Spare him, O Lord God most holy, and
help him in his last hour to trust in thee. To thee,
O heavenly Father, with whom do live the spirits
of those who depart this life in thy faith and fear,
we humbly commend the soul of this our brother, as
into the hands of a faithful Creator and merciful
Savior, praying that it may be washed in the
blood of that Lamb of God which taketh away the
sins of the world.
And grant, O Lord, that the ministrations of jus-
tice may awaken men to righteousness, and be
instrumental, through thy blessing, in turning the
hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.
May all remember that their precious hours are
swiftly wasting ; and that every passing moment
shortens our scanty span. Help us, O Lord, to be
prepared to die the death of the righteous, and that
our last end may be like his.
208 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for Courts of Justice.
These our supplications, O heavenly Father, we
humbly offer in the name and through the merits of
Jesus Christ, who taught us, when we pray, to say,
Our Father, who art, &c. Amen.
A Prayer for Courts of Justice.
ADORABLE and everlasting God, the high and
mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy
throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth, and
who canst order the wills and control the affections
of sinful men, with reverence and humility we
would present ourselves before thee, sensible that
thou art in heaven, and we upon the earth. Right-
eousness and judgment are the habitation of thy
throne. To thee all hearts are open, and all desires
known. Thou knowest, O God, our need before
we ask ; our hearts are in thy hands, and our sins
are not hid from thee. Wilt thou pardon our sins,
sanctify our hearts, and hear our prayers. Behold,
we beseech thee, with thy favor and blessing, the
people and government of these United States ; and
of this state, especially, in which we live. Bless
all those who are in authority; endue them with
wisdom, and so guide their counsels, and strengthen
their hands, that the hearts of the disobedient may
be turned to the wisdom of the just ; that peace
and happiness, truth and justice, holiness and piety,
may be established in our land ; and that thy peo-
ple, secured by the protection of equal laws and
the administration of impartial justice, may serve
thee in quietness and godliness of living.
More particularly do we offer our prayers to thee,
the only wise God, in behalf of this court, by the
permission of thy good providence here assembled,
for the administration of justice to thy people.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 209
A Prayer for Courts of Justice.
Grant to the judges and other officers thy heavenly
benediction. Give them the spirit of wisdom and
understanding ; of counsel and of right knowledge ;
and so enlighten their minds with the just princi-
ples of law and of equity, that they may truly and
impartially administer justice, restrain wickedness,
suppress vice, promote righteousness and maintain
peace. May the sword which they are appointed
to bear be such a terror to evil works, that it may
not be borne in vain. From the equity of their
judgments may men learn righteousness ; honor-
ing them as the ministers of God for good, and sub-
mitting to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's
sake. >
And grant, O Lord, that they who shall come
before this court to obtain justice and maintain their
rights, according to the wise and equitable laws of
our country, may be in their hearts disposed to do
justly, to love mercy, and to render that measure to
others which they seek for themselves. Preserve us
from all envy, hatred and malice, and from all un-
charitableness. May we do to others as we would
have them do to us, and endeavor to owe no man
any thing, but to love one another ; and may we
ever remain a happy and united people, having
justice for our guide, and the Lord for our God.
And, O thou righteous Judge of all the earth, may
the solemnities of an earthly tribunal awaken in
our minds a lively apprehension, and impress upon
our hearts a constant remembrance of that day of
the Lord, when we must all appear before the bar
of thy judgment seat, and receive the doom which
is to fix our eternal state. May we consider well
and wisely, and in a time accepted, what testimony
our passing hours may give, at that time, when all
hearts shall be laid open, and no secrets can be hid.
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to walk in the light of truth and according to
18 N
210 GBISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.
thy righteous laws, that we may receive the appro-
bation of our final Judge, and inherit the kingdom
prepared for the righteous from the beginning of
the world.
Extend, O Lord, we beseech thee, the blessings
of civil freedom and the administration of impar-
tial justice to all the people of the earth. Give
peace and harmony to contending nations, and so
rule their hearts and enlighten their minds, that
they may live in unity and godly love. Give thy
blessing to the preaching of the gospel, till the Re-
deemer's kingdom shall be spread to the utmost
bounds of the habitable globe, and all the ends
of the world shall see the salvation of our God.
These things, O heavenly Father, and whatever
of good thou seest fitting for us, for this court of jus-
tice, for our state and country, and for all mankind,
we humbly ask in the name, and through the
merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And may the Lord bless and keep us, and give
us peace, now and evermore. Amen.
A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.
O GOD, the King immortal, invisible, who art
exalted above all thrones and dominions, King of
kings and Lord of lords ; whose wise and just pro-
vidence ordereth all things in heaven and on earth ;
with all due reverence and adoration, we look unto
thee, as the author of our being, and the giver of all
good. Without thee, nothing is stable, nothing holy,
nothing secure : except the Lord keep the city, the
watchman waketh in vain. Without thy blessing,
it is but labor lost that we rise early, and are care-
ful and troubled about many things. We look un-
to thee, as the only hope of all the ends of the earth.
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 211
A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.
We adore thee as the God in whom our fathers
trusted and were delivered. We have heard with
our ears what thou didst in their days, and in times
of old. They got not this land in possession by
their own sword, neither did their own arm save
them ; but thy hand and thy arm achieved for them
the victory. We desire, O God, to put our trust in
thee ; and humbly beseech thee to behold us with thy
favor and blessing, to pardon our sins, sanctify our
hearts and hear our prayers. We beseech thee, O
God, to bestow thy blessing upon our country, and
upon all the people of these United States. May
thy paternal and holy protecting providence be over
them for good : may they ever be thy people, and
the Lord be their God : preserve and keep them by
thy perpetual mercy. Behold, we beseech thee,
with thy favor and blessing, the 'president of the
United States, the governor and council of this state
in which we live, and all others who are lawfully
set in authority over us; and so replenish them
with thy heavenly wisdom, that they may always
incline to thy will, and walk in thy ways ; grant
that they may rule with uprightness, execute jus-
tice and maintain truth. And may all the people
respect and obey the civil magistrates, as ministers
of God, appointed for the public good. Preserve
them, we beseech thee, from selfishness and party
spirit ; may they be influenced by benevolence and
the love of their country ; and, according to the
wisdom given them, promote its prosperity and
peace.
And we humbly beseech thee, O gracious God,
more especially, to behold with thy favor and
blessing the General Court and Legislature of this
state, now assembled before thee. Give them wis-
dom to know and to ordain whatever shall be best
for the general good of all thy people. Be pleased,
O God, we beseech thee, to direct and prosper all
212 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting.
their deliberations and measures to the advance-
ment of thy glory, the promotion of pure and un-
defiled religion, and to the safety, honor and welfare
of thy people. Grant that all things may be so
ordered and settled, by their endeavors, upon the
best and surest foundations, that peace and happi-
ness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be
established among us for all generations ; and that
the people of this our country, being enlightened by
the knowledge of thy word, and secure, through
the protection of wise and equal laws, and the ad-
ministration of impartial justice, may serve thee
without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the
days of their life.
And grant, O Lord, that the whole course of this
life may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance,
that thy people may joyfully serve thee in all godly
quietness; that they may walk in the ways of
truth and peace, and at last be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. And to thee, the only wise God, our Savior,
be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both
now and ever. Amen.
A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting.
ADORABLE and everliving God, the Creator and
Preserver of all mankind, who dost, from thy throne,
behold all the dwellers upon the earth, and hast the
hearts and the wants of all thy creatures before
thee, we implore thy favor and blessing upon thy
people here assembled. We adore thee for thy infi-
nite perfections; we praise thy holy name for all
thy dispensations of goodness and mercy to us and
to all mankind. Our fathers put their trust in thee
and were not forsaken. May the remembrance of
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 213
A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting.
mercies, which have ever been of old, inspire our
hearts with gratitude and praise to thee, who hast
graciously blest the people of this our country with
prosperity and increase, and given us a great name
among the nations of the earth. May a sense of
thy goodness ever engage us in thy faith and fear.
May we so love that which thou commandest, and
desire the things which thou dost promise, that
among all the manifold changes and temptations of
this mortal life, our hearts may surely there be fix-
ed, where true joys are to be found. Without thee,
nothing is strong, nothing holy; increase and mul-
tiply upon us thy mercy, and be our ruler and
guide. Vouchsafe to direct, sanctify and govern,
both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws,
and in the works of thy commandments. Pour
down the abundance of thy blessings upon this our
favored country. Give wisdom and strength and
union to our rulers and magistrates. Bless the peo-
ple and the government of the United States j and
of this state, particularly, in which we live. May
our legislature and courts of justice, and all who
are appointed to give laws and execute them, be
endued with wisdom, and equity, and with the love
of their country. Assist them in all the various
administrations of justice and right which apper-
tain to the offices respectively committed to their
trust. We beseech thee to bless all who are in
authority over us, and so rule their hearts and
strengthen their hands, that truth and happiness
and peace may be established in all our borders ;
that righteousness and prosperity may increase, and
that all thy people may serve thee in virtue and god-
liness of living. Make us duly thankful for the
inestimable blessing of civil liberty, good govern-
ment and equitable laws ; and for the security of
our religious rights and privileges. May we so use
as never to abuse, nor forget from whom we receive
214 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting.
them. We pray that thy watchful eye and holy
protecting providence may be over us for good ;
guide us continually by thy unerring counsel : pros-
per us in all our lawful pursuits ; and preserve us
from desolating judgments and all calamitous events.
More particularly do we look unto thee, the only
wise God, for thy favor and blessing upon the
people of this town, and the important occasion on
which we are here assembled. May we justly view
and duly appreciate the blessing of our enfran-
chisement: the high privilege of choosing those
who shall be our rulers, and of making appoint-
ments to offices of trust. May thy blessing, O
Lord, be with us ; the blessing of wisdom, har-
mony and love. Preserve us from the evils of par-
ty feeling, selfishness and contention. May it be
the sincere desire of each and every one to pro-
mote the public welfare. In this important exer-
cise of the rights of freemen, may they be directed
to the choice of such persons as are best qualified
for the offices to which they shall be elected. And
give grace, we beseech thee, and wisdom to all those
who are or shall be thus called to serve their town
or state or country ; may they willingly and faith-
fully perform the important duties of their office,
sincerely endeavoring to promote equity, union and
peace.
And may we all be disposed to harmony and love,
and to give that measure to others which we expect
from them. May the people of this town be conti-
nually united, as a happy society, with interests
and feelings in common. May they who are strong
support the weak, and every member of the commu-
nity, according to his means and station, bear his just
part of the public burthens, and contribute his due
proportion to the general good. And grant, O Lord,
that our land may still enjoy, and better appreciate
the light of thy truth and the blessings of thy boun-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 215
A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.
tiful hand. Remove from us all spiritual ignorance,
and preserve us from an evil heart of unbelief, in
departing from thee, the living God. May we ever
remain a happy, united people, having truth for our
guide, and the Lord for our God. Hear us, O Lord,
and bless us for the worthiness of thy Son, our
Savior, Jesus Christ. And may his grace, and thy
love, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be
with us all, evermore. Amen.
A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.
O MERCIFUL God, who art the Giver of all good,
and orderest all things in heaven and on earth ; who
hast compassion upon mankind, and hast graciously
promised to hear the prayer of those who ask in the
name of Jesus Christ, mercifully forgive our sins,
and accept our humble supplications. Shouldst
thou be extreme to mark iniquities, no man living
could be justified. For the glory of thy name, turn
from us all those evils which we too justly, have
deserved. Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy.
Let thy ears be open to our petitions ; prepare our
hearts to come worthily before thee, not in our own
name, nor trusting in our own righteousness, but in
the name of Jesus Christ, and trusting in thy mercy
through his merits. Help us, O Lord, we beseech
thee, to fulfil the duties of our respective stations in
life, and to go forward in our Christian course.
Open our eyes, that we may see the excellency of
thy law ; give us understanding that we may know
thy testimonies, and write the truths of thy gospel
on our hearts. Direct and bless us in all our
endeavors to know and to do thy will. Thou
knowest, O God, that we are set in the midst of
216 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer suitable for a Temperance Meeting.
manifold and great dangers, and that our nature is
weak ; grant to us such strength and protection as
may support us in all perils, and carry us safely
through all temptation. Keep us both outwardly
in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we
may be defended from all adversities which may
happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts
which may assault or hurt the soul. Purify our
hearts from all inordinate and sinful affections.
Give us grace to be temperate in all things ; in our
meats and drinks, and in all that we do : may we
use the world as not abusing it. Grant that the
good things which thou givest may by us and by all
people be thankfully received, and used with sobri-
ety and moderation ; that we may give good exam-
ples to others ; that the flesh may be subject to thy
Holy Spirit, and that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we may live soberly, righteously and
godly in this present world. Whether we eat or
drink, or whatever we do, may we ^do all to thy
glory in Jesus Christ.
Give thy blessing, O Lord, we beseech thee, to
those who associate, and to all who labor to sup-
press intemperance, ungodliness and vice. Give
success to their benevolent efforts, and so rule their
hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may
be instrumental in promoting sobriety and good
morals. Cause them to be unwearied in welldoing,
and reward their labor of love. Grant that our
coming together at this time may tend to the good
of ourselves and others. Give to us and to all men
grace, that we may not abuse ourselves nor injure
others by an improper use of the things of time
and sense ; deliver us from all inordinate and sin-
ful affections, and help us to pass the time of our
sojourning here in thy fear, and to live as they
should live who expect shortly to give an account
to thee, who wih judge all men according to their
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 217
A Form of Service at the laying of the Comer Stone of a Church.
works. Preserve us from idleness in what concerns
the welfare of our bodies and of our souls ; may
we not be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord. Help each and all of us to do
our duty in the state of life to which it shall please
thee to call us. Direct us in all our doings with
thy most gracious favor ; prosper us with thy con-
tinual help, that in all our works, begun, continued
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name ;
and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life,
through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with
us all, evermore. Amen.
A Form of Service that may be used at the laying of the Corner
Stone of a Church.
The several Parts of the following Service, as they are numbered,
may be divided among the Clergy who are present, as shall be judged
expedient.
1 . Sentences of Scripture.
Except the Lord build the house, their labor is
but lost that build it ; except the Lord keep the city,
the watchmen waketh but in vain.
The same stone which the builders refused, is
become the head-stone in the corner. Tins is the
Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is gracious,
and his mercy endureth forever.
2. Introductory Address.
Friends and brethren : Devout men of old, under
the law and under the gospel, have erected houses
for the public worship of Almighty God, and have
19
218 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.
separated them from common use, for the more de-
cent celebration of the Christian ordinances, and to
fill men's minds with greater reverence for God.
We cannot doubt but such pious works are approved
of God. King David was commended for his desire
to perform such a work ; that it was in his heart
to build God a house. The building of churches
tends very much to the promotion of his holy wor-
ship, and the practice of good morals and true reli-
gion. We humbly trust that He will favorably
accept of this our present purpose of laying, with
suitable solemnities, the foundation of a house, to
be erected to the honor of His great name, and
dedicated to His holy worship. Let us then unite
in asking His blessing upon this our undertaking.
3. Then may be offered the following Prayers, or other Collects, at
discretion, from the Book of Common Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the
glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Direct us, O Lord, in what we do, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help ; and grant that in this and all our works, we
may glorify thy holy name, through Jesus Christ,
our Lord. Amen.
O blessed Lord, who art the giver of all good,
visit, we pray thee, this people with thy love and
favor ; enlighten their minds with the truths of the
everlasting gospel ; graft in their hearts the love of
thy name ; increase in them true religion ; nourish
Ihem with all goodness ; and of thy great mercy,
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 219
A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.
keep them steadfast in thy faith and fear, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course
of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy
governance, that thy church may joyfully serve thee
in all godly quietness, through the same, our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
4. Tlien may be read responsivety the 84th and 132d Psalms.
5. The following Lesson from Ezra Hi. 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , may here be read.
Now in the second year of their coming unto the
house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month,
began Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua,
the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their bre-
thren, the priests and the Levites, and all they that
were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem ; and
appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and
upward, to set forward the work of the house of the
Lord. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his
brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah,
together, to set forward the workmen in the house
of God : the sons of Henadad, with their sons and
their brethren the Levites. And when the builders
laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they
set the priests, in their apparel, with trumpets, and
the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to
praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David, king
of Israel. And they sung together, by course, in
praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, because
he is good, for his mercy endureth forever towards
Israel. And all the people shouted with a great
shout, when they praised the Lord, because the
foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
6. Then may be sung the Zath Hymn, I, 2, 6, 7, 8.
7. The Inscription on the Stone, or Deposttes under it, may here be
read.
220 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.
8. The person who officiates, having found that the Stone is rightly
laid, may strike it three times with a hammer, saying as follows :
t
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, I lay this corner-stone as the
foundation of an edifice to be erected for a house
of prayer, and to be dedicated to the worship of
Almighty God, according to the canons and liturgy
and usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States. Amen.
Other foundation can no man lay, than that on
which standeth the house of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and ground of
the truth ; even the foundation of apostles and pro-
phets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-
stone.
Let us pray. O eternal God, mighty in power and
of majesty incomprehensible, whom the heaven of
heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of tem-
ples made with hands, and who yet didst command
thy servants of old to build houses to the honor of
thy great name, and for the purpose of setting forth
thy praise ; look down, we beseech thee, with thy
favor and blessing upon us, thy unworthy servants,
who are here assembled in thy name and presence,
to lay the foundation of a house, with thy permis-
sion, to be erected to thy name, and sacred to thy
worship. Accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, the
pious intention of this thy people, and give thy
blessing to the work which they have taken in hand.
Preserve them, O thou God of mercy, from all unto-
ward accidents and calamitous events. Sanctify their
hearts and enlarge their means. May they rejoice
to honor the Lord with their substance ; may their
barns be filled with plenty, and their stores with
increase. Unite them in harmony, peace and love.
Enable them, with joy and gladness, to bring this
work to a happy issue, that this edifice may be
'GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 221
A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.
completed and adorned in a manner and style
decent, and suitable to the honor of thy name, and
convenient for the various parts of thy holy worship.
Wilt thou, O Lord, watch over them for good, and
direct and bless them in all the work. May this
consecrated spot which they have chosen, whereon
to build their altar and erect a house to thee, the
living God, be to them a happy Bethel, where they
and their descendants, for many generations, may
worship thee, their God and Savior, in spirit and in
truth. To this house, when erected, as to thy
courts, may their hearts incline : may they be sen-
sible that the Lord is in this place ; and may it be
to them as the house of God and the gate of heaven.
May their thoughts and desires be raised to thy
spiritual house not made with hands, of which
Jesus Christ is the chief corner-stone ; to him com-
ing, as unto a living stone, chosen of God and pre-
cious, may all who in this place shall call upon thy
name, as lively stones, be built up a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood, offering sacrifices acceptable to
God by Jesus Christ. Grant, O God, that all those
who, through thy merciful goodness, shall be per-
mitted and inclined hereafter to serve thee in this
place, may be so joined together in unity of spirit
and in the bond of peace, that they may be a holy
temple acceptable unto thee. And to all thy peo-
ple, O God, give thy heavenly grace, and especially
to us who are here present, that with one heart we
may desire and labor to promote the prosperity of
thy holy apostolic church, and with one mouth may
profess that true faith which was once, by the in-
spiration of thy Holy Spirit, delivered to the saints.
And keep, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy whole
household, the church, in continual godliness; that,
through thy protection, it may be free from all ad-
versities, and devoutly given to serve Ihee in good
works, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom,
19*
222 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Form of Service at the laying of the Corner Stone of a Church.
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
9. Here may be the Address, if any is to be delivered.
10. Then may be sung a portion from the Psalms or Hymns.
1 1 . Conclude with the Benediction.
May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and
remain with you always. Amen.
PART FOURTH.
OFFICES AND PRAYERS, THAT MAY BE
USED IN CHURCHES, OR IN PUBLIC
WORSHIP.
A Form of Prayer allowed to be used on days appointed by the Civil
Authority as Public Pasts.
The Service is to be as usual, excepting the alterations hereby per-
mitted.
The Venite Exultemus may be omitted.
Proper Psalms. Morning 25thand5lst; Evening 86th, \3Qthand
143d. The Officiating Minister, at his discretion, instead of the above
may select other Psalms, which, in his judgment, are more appropriate
to the particular occasion.
Lessons. Morning First, Isaiah, 53th chapter; Second, Matthew,
6th chapter ; Evening First, Ezekiel, 18th chapter ; Second, James, 4th
chapter.
The Litany is not to be omitted.
Immediately before the General Thanksgiving, in both the Morning
and the Evening Service, a part or all of me following Prayers may be
used.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest no-
thing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins
of those who are penitent, create and make in us
new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lament-
ing our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect
remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
O Lord God and merciful Father, who hast com-
passion upon mankind, and wouldst not the death
224 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A form of Prayer allowed to be used on Fast Days.
of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his
wickedness and live ; look down, we beseech thee,
in mercy upon us, thy unworthy creatures, who
humbly confess before thee our v trespasses and sins.
Do thou, to whom alone it appertaineth to forgive
sins, spare the people, whom, in thy mercy, thou
hast redeemed with the Savior's blood. Enter not
into judgment with thy servants, O Lord, nor visit
us according to our iniquities. Help us truly to
acknowledge our vileness, and give us that repen-
tance which is not to be repented of. Turn us, O
Lord our God, to thee ; and we shall be turned. Be
merciful, O be merciful, to those who humbly de-
sire, with weeping, fasting and prayer, to turn to
thee. Thou art a God full of compassion and long-
suffering, and of great pity, sparing those who de-
serve punishment, and in thy righteous wrath re-
membering mercy. Hear us, O Lord, we beseech
thee, and after the multitude of thy mercies blot
out our offences, and cleanse us from the defilement
of sin ; sanctify our hearts, and save our souls, we
beseech thee, through the merits and mediation of
thy only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, whose wise and
righteous providence governeth all things in heaven
and on earth, look down, we humbly beseech thee,
in mercy upon our country, and upon all the people
of these United States. Restrain thine indignation
against our multiplied sins, and turn thine anger
from us. Remember not, Lord, our offences, but
thy love to us in Jesus Christ : O call to mind thy
mercies, which have ever been of old. From the
judgments of thy hand may the people learn right-
eousness, and may thy patient goodness and long-
suffering lead us to repentance. May peace,
through thy merciful goodness, ever reign in our
borders, and our land continue to bring forth its
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 225
The Communion Service.
increase. We beseech thee, O God, to bless the
governor and other rulers of this state, and all those
who are set in authority over us ; and so rule their
hearts and strengthen their hands, that vice may
be suppressed and godliness abound. In all dan-
gers and difficulties, may we ever look unto thee as
our only helper and sure defence. We pray that
thy watchful care, and holy, protecting providence,
may be over us for good. Guide us continually
with thy unerring counsel ; direct and prosper us in
all we do, and preserve us from desolating judg-
ments and calamitous events. Grant, O God, to us
and to all thy people, that we may so love the
things which thou commaridest, and desire those
which thou dost promise, that, among the sundry
and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may
surely there be fixed where true joys are to be
found. These and all other necessaries for us, and
for our rulers, and for all estates of thy people in
this our favored country, we humbly beg in the
name, and through the mediation, of Jesus Christ,
most blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
THE COMMUNION SERVICE.
The Collects. O blessed Lord, who didst direct
that thy disciples should fast when the bridegroom
should be taken from them, and who for our sakes
and for our example didst thyself fast upon the
earth, -give us grace, we beseech thee, to use such
abstinence and self-denial, that our flesh may be
subdued to the spirit, and that we may ever obey
thy godly motions in righteousness and true holi-
ness, to thy honor and glory, who livest and reign-
est with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
O holy, eternal and gracious God, whose ways
O
226 GRISWOUVS PRAYERS.
The Communion Service.
are all righteous, and whose mercies cannot be
numbered, we, thy sinful people, this day assem-
bled, in thy name and presence, to bow before thee
with fasting, humiliation and prayer, do humbly
confess our manifold sins, and acknowledge that it
is of thy mercies that we are not consumed. Great
and manifold have been, and still are, thy blessings
bestowed upon us, and upon our country, whilst,
by our sins and wickedness, we have provoked thy
just wrath and indignation against us. O be thou
merciful to us, thy unworthy creatures ; enter not
into judgment with those who, in thy sight, must
be condemned. Make us deeply sensible of our
evil hearts and sinful ways. Work in us a hearty
contrition ; give us that godly sorrow for sin which
worketh true repentance. O take not thy Holy
Spirit from us; work in us, we beseech thee, to will
and to do what is pleasing in thy sight. Turn us
from the error of our ways ; renew us in the spirit
of our minds, and create us again unto good works,
that we may walk before thee in faith and right-
eousness, and finally be inheritors of thine ever-
lasting kingdom. And grant, O Lord, that our land
may still enjoy the light of thy truth, and the bles-
sings of thy bountiful hand. Remove from us all
spiritual ignorance, and preserve us from an evil
heart of unbelief, that we may never depart from
thee, the only living God. Be thou with us, as
thou wast with our fathers; and bless us, our God,
even as thou blessedst them, to thy honor and glory,
and to our comfort and salvation in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Epistle. Ephesians iv. 17. This I say,
therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye hence-
forth walk riot as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity
of their mind ; having the understanding darkened ;
being alienated from the life of God, through the
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 227
The Communion Service.
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness
of their heart ; who, being past feeling, have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all
uncleanness with greediness. But ye have, not so
learned Christ ; if so be that ye have heard him,
and have been taught by him, as the truth is in
Jesus ; that ye put off, concerning the former con-
versation, the old man, which is corrupt, according
to the deceitful lusts ; and be renewed in the spirit
of your mind ; and that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying,
speak every man truth with his neighbor ; for we
are members one of another. Be ye angry and sin
not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath;
neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole
steal no more ; but rather let him labor, working
with his hands the thing which is good, that he
may have to give to him who needeth. Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying, that
it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve
not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and
wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking be
put away from you, with all malice ; and be ye kind
one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you.
The Gospel. St. Luke xiii. 1. There were pre-
sent at that season some who told him of the Gali-
leans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their
sacrifices. And Jesus, answering, said unto them,
Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above
all the Galileans because they suffered such things?
I tell you nay ; but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the
tower in Siloam fell and slew them, think ye that
228 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer to be used in Seasons of much Sickness.
they were sinners above all men who dwelt in Jeru-
salem? I tell you nay; but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish. He spake also this para-
ble : A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his
vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon,
and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of
his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none : cut it
down ; why cumbereth it the ground 1 And he,
answering, said unto him, Lord, let it alone this
year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it : and
if it bear fruit, well ; and if not, then after that thou
shall cut it down.
Churches who desire, in their public worship, to pray particularly for
the Governor and Legislature of their State, may, in the Prayer for the
President of the United States, and all in civil authority, after the words
the President of the United States, add, the Governpr of this State.
When Congress and the Legislature of the State are in session at the
same time, after the words in the Prayer for Congress, in Congress as-
sembled, may be added, and for the Legislature of this State (or General
Court of this Common wealth) in their present session.
When the Legislature of the State is in session, and the Congress not
so, the prayer for Congress may be used ; but instead of the words, as for
the people of these United Slates in general, so especially for their
Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled, may be substituted,
as for the people of this State (or Commonwealth) in general, so espe-
cially for our Legislature (or General Court) in their present session.
A Prayer to be used in Seasons of much Sickness, or Epidemic Diseases.
O GOD and merciful Father, who despisest not
the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the humble sup-
plications of those who fly to thee for succor and
seek thy face in prayer, look down, we beseech
thee, with pity upon us thy dependent, unworthy
creatures. We acknowledge, O God, that we have
sinned and done wickedly in departing from thy
precepts and thy judgments, provoking thy just
wrath and indignation against us. We would
GRISWOL1)'S PRAYERS. 229
A Prayer to be used in Seasons of much Sickness.
humbly bewail our ingratitude and forgetfulness
ef thy goodness : that our affections towards thee
are so cold, while thy mercies to us are so abun-
dant. Help us, O heavenly Father, earnestly to
repent ; and work in us a godly sorrow for all our
misdeeds. It is of thy mercy that we are not con-
sumed ; in the midst of life we are in death ; to
whom can we fly for aid but to thee, the God of
mercy, and the Father of our Savior Christ. Look
with compassion upon us, and upon our country :
while thy judgments are abroad in the earth, may
the people of this land learn righteousness, and so
turn to thee with penitence and prayer, that thou
wilt turn from us all those evils which our sins
have deserved. Preserve us, O thou God of mercy,
from the pestilence which walketh in darkness,
and from the desolating scourge now visiting the
earth [our country] and approaching our borders.
Remember not, Lord, our offences ; spare in mercy
those Avhom in love thou hast redeemed. From al I
pestilential diseases, and the sickness which de-
stroys at noon-day, good Lord, deliver us and the
inhabitants of this our country.
And we beseech thee, O God, in the plenitude of
thy mercy, to behold with pity all the countries and
parts of the earth which are visited with distressing
sickness and prevailing mortal diseases. O stay
the hand of the destroying angel, and say to the
affliction, It is enough. And grant that the visita-
tions of thy righteous providence may cause us,
and all the inhabitants of the earth, to remember
that the Lord ruleth, and that sickness, and pains,
and death, are the dispensations of thy righteous
hand, and less than our sins deserve. Awakened
by thy warning voice, may we turn to thee, the
Lord God of our salvation, and put our trust in
thee alone. And grant that thy forbearing mercy,
so long extended to this our favored country, may
20
230 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Thanksgiving for Deliverance from great Sickness and Mortality.
fill our hearts with gratitude and love. Assist us
mercifully with thy heavenly grace, and dispose all
our ways towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation ; and among all the changes, and perils,
and other trials of this mortal life, direct and sup-
port us by thy most gracious and ready help,
through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior.
Amen.
A Thanksgiving for Deliverance from great Sickness and Mortality:
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, who art the giver
of all good, and whose mercy is over all thy works,
we adore thee for thy great goodness, and for all the
wonders which thou dost for the children of men.
To thee belong mercy and forgiveness, though we
have sinned against thee. Thou art patient and
long-suffering, and in the midst of judgment re-
memberest mercy, turning from us many evils
which we most justly have -deserved. We render
thee, O God, our humble thanks and praise, that
thou deliverest thy people from the pestilence that
walketh in darkness, and from the sickness which
destroyeth at noon-day. We give thanks to thee,
the God of all mercy, for having preserved us, thy
unworthy creatures, through the late distressing
sickness and mortality, with which, for our sins,
thou hast visited our land. The sorrows of death
encompassed us : we called upon thee in the time of
trouble ; we besought thee to save our soul, and
found thee gracious and merciful. Thou hast de-
livered our soul from death, our eyes from tears,
and our feet from falling. Though many have
fallen beside us, and are now resting in their graves,
our lives are yet prolonged, and we are permitted to
praise thee for thy goodness. Give us grace to be
ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 231
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
duly thankful for this thy great mercy, and grant
that the lives which thou preservest may be devot-
ed to thee. Help us to walk before thee in the
land of the living; to take the cup of salvation; to
offer thee the sacrifice of thankful hearts and holy
lives. We would pay our vows unto thee, in the
sight of all thy people, acknowledging it to be of
thy mercy that we are not consumed, and beseech-
ing thee to give us grace to show our thankfulness
by obedience to thy laws, and by lives devoted to
thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom, with
thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and praise,
world without end. Amen.
The following Office for the Burial of the Dead is allowed to be used
when the Corpse is carried into the Church.
The Minister shall begin the service by reading the following sen-
tences of Scripture.
I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the
Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die. St. John xi.
25, 26.
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth ; and
though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet
in my flesh shall I see God ; whom I shall see for
myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not an-
other. Job xix. 25, 26, 27.
We brought nothing into this world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Tim. vi. 7.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ;
blessed be the name of the Lord. Job i. 21.
232 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
The Minister may then say, Let us pray, and proceed with the Gene-
ral Confession.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have
erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts. We have offended against thy
holy laws. We have left undone those things
which we ought to have done, and we have done
those things which we ought not to have done ; and
there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have
mercy upon us miserable offenders. Spare thou
those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore
thou those who are penitent ; according to thy pro-
mises declared unto mankind, in Christ Jesus, our
Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his
sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, right-
eous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name.
Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we for-
give those who trespass against us. And lead us
not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil. For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Then likewise may be added :
Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips.
Answer. And our mouth shall show forth thy
praise.
Then shall be said the following selection from the 39<A and the 90th
Psalms.
Lord, let me know my end, and the number of
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 233
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
my days, that 1 may be certified how long I have
to live.
Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a
span long, and mine age is even as nothing in re-
spect of thee ; and verily, every man living is alto-
gether vanity.
For man walketh in a vain shadow, and dis-
quieteth himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and
cannot tell who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what is my hope ? Truly my
hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all mine offences, and make me
not a rebuke unto the foolish.
When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for
sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like
as it were a moth fretting a garment : every man,
therefore, is but vanity.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears
consider my calling: hold not thy peace at my
tears.
For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner,
as all my fathers were.
O save me a little, that I may recover my
strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen.
Lord, thou hast been our refuge, from one gene-
ration to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
the earth and the world were made, thou art God
from everlasting, and world without end.
Thou turnest man to destruction; again thou
sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as
yesterday ; seeing that is past as a watch in the
night.
As soon as thou scatterest them, they are even as
a sleep, and fade away suddenly like the grass.
In the morning it is green and groweth up; but
20*
234 QRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Office for the Burial of the Dead. ~"
in the evening it is cut down, dried up and wi-
thered.
For we consume away in thy displeasure, and
are afaid at thy wrathful indignation.
Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee, and our
secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
For when thou art angry, all our days are gone ;
we bring our years to an end, like a tale that is told.
The days of our age are threescore years and ten ;
and though men be so strong that they come to
fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labor
and sorrow ; so soon passeth it away, and we are
gone.
So teach us to number our days, that we may
apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
Then shall be read the following Lesson.
1 Corinthians xv. 20. Now is Christ risen from
the dead, and become the first-fruits of them
that slept. For since by man came death, by
man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive. But every man in his own
order; Christ the first-fruits; afterwards, they
that are Christ's at his coming. Then coineth the
end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom
to God, even the Father ; when he shall have put
down all rule, and all authority and power. For
he must reign till he hath put all enemies under
his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death; for he hath put all things under his feet.
But when he saith, all things are put under
him, ft is manifest that he is excepted which did
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 235
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
put all things under him. And when all things
shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things
under him, that God may be all in all. Else what
shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the
dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized
for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy
every hour ? I protest by your rejoicing, which I
have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after
the manner of men I have fought with beasts at
Ephesus, what advantageth it me if the dead rise
not? Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
Be not deceived ; evil communications corrupt good
manners. Awake to righteousness and sin not;
for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak
this to your shame. But some man will say, How
are the dead raised up? and with what body do
they come ? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is
not quickened except it die ; and that which thou
sowest, thou sowest not that body which shall be,
but bare grain ; it may chance of wheat, or of some
other grain. But God giveth it a body as it hath
pleased him ; and to every seed its own body. All
flesh is not the same flesh ; but there is one kind of
flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of
fishes, and another of birds. There are also celes-
tial bodies, and bodies terrestrial ; but the glory of
the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial
is another. There is one glory of the sun, and an-
other glory of the moon, and another glory of the
stars; for one star differeth from another star in
glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It
is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption ;
it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is
sown in weakness, it is raised in power ; it is sown
a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There
is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man, Adam, was
236 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Office for the Burial of the Dead. ""
made a living soul ; the last Adam was made a
quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first
which is spiritual, but that which is natural ; and
afterwards that which is spiritual. The first man
is of the earth, earthy ; the second man is the Lord
from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also
that are earthy ; and as is the heavenly, such are
they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne
the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that
flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Be-
hold, I show you a mystery : we shall not all sleep ;
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the trum-
pet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incor-
ruptible, and we shall be changed. For this cor-
ruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to
pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting ! O
grave, where is thy victory ! The sting of death
is sin, and the strength of sin is the law : but thanks
be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved bre-
thren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abound-
ing in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The Minister may add any of the following Prayers, saying,
Let us pray. O God and merciful Father, who
despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the
desire of those who are visited with sorrow, merci-
fully hear the prayers which we offer before thee in
all our troubles and adversities. Look, we humbly
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 237
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
beseech thee, upon our infirmities; and, for the
glory of thy name, turn from us all those evils
which we most justly have deserved; and grant
that in all the troubles and afflictions which thou,
in thy unerring wisdom, seest it fitting to lay upon
us, we may put our whole trust and confidence in
thy mercy, and continually serve thee in holiness
and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory,
through our only mediator and advocate, Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who, through thine only begotten
Son, Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and opened
unto us the gate of everlasting life, quicken us, we
beseech thee, by thy Holy Spirit, and raise our
thoughts and desires to thee ; that, among all the
sorrows, and the manifold changes of this world,
our hearts and hopes may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found. Strengthen our
faith by the knowledge of Christ, and the power of
his resurrection ; dispose our ways towards the at-
tainment of everlasting salvation, that in all the
trials of this mortal life thy grace may be our help
and comfort, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
O merciful God and heavenly Father, who hast
taught us in thy holy word that thou dost not wil-
lingly afflict or grieve the children of men, look
with pity, we beseech thee, upon the sorrows of thy
servants, who, on this occasion, are called to mourn
for the death of a near relative and dear friend. It
has seemed good to thy unerring wisdom to visit
them with sorrow, and to bring this great distress
upon them. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy;
sanctify this affliction to their spiritual benefit.
Endue their soul with patience under their suffer-
ing, and with resignation to thy holy will. Comfort
238 ORISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
them with a sense of thy goodness ; lift upon them
the light of thy reconciled countenance, and give
them peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and overliving God, the giver and the
preserver of our lives ; the aid of all who need ; the
helper of all who fly to thee for succor; the life of
those who believe, and the resurrection of the dead,
with reverence and adoration we desire to approach
thy throne. Assist us, we beseech thee, in our
supplications and prayers. Mercifully look upon
our infirmities, and comfort and support us in all
the various changes and sorrows of this mortal,
sinful state. We know, and acknowledge, that all
things in heaven and on earth are at thy wise and
just disposal, and that not a sparrow falls except
the Lord permit. Sickness, and pains, and death,
are the dispensations of thy righteous hand, and
are less than our sins deserve. Grant us grace, in
every affliction, to confide in thy merciful goodness.
Make us duly thankful that, in the gospel of Jesus
Christ, life and immortality are brought to light ; and
that thou hast prepared, for those who love thee,
such good things as pass man's understanding.
Raise our affections and our desires front the world
to thee, and our souls from the death of sin to a life
of righteousness.
Sanctify, O Lord, we beseech thee, this instance
of mortality to all of us who, through thy forbear-
ing mercy, still survive. May it awaken in our
minds serious thoughts upon our latter end, and
quicken our diligence in preparing for the same im-
portant change. May we find, from blessed expe-
rience, that it is better to go to the house of mourn-
ing than to the house of feasting ; and when it shall
please thee to call us hence, may we die the death
of the righteous, and our last end be like his.
Accept, O Lord, of our humble intercessions for
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 239
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
our mourning friends who are following the lifeless
remains of their dear relative [or, as the case may
be,] to the grave. Hear us, O Lord, for them, though
unworthy to ask for ourselves ; and so regard their
sorrows, that they may find, in the bosom of their
God, that comfort and peace which the world can-
not give. Support them in their afflictions, and
direct their hearts and their hopes to that Savior of
their souls who has said, Blessed are they who
mourn, for they shall be comforted. May their
mourning be after a godly sort ; may they know
from blessed experience that the Lord loveth those
whom he chasteneth, and be enabled to say, Thy
will be done. Help them to see justice in thy deal-
ings, wisdom in thy providence, and love in thy
correction ; and to be sensible that it is good for
them that they have been afflicted. Endue them
with patience under this distressing bereavement,
and with pious resignation to thy blessed will ; and
help them to make such improvement from their
sorrows, that what seemeth to them so great a loss,
may, through thy blessing, tend to their eternal
gain. While following the remains of their friend
to the house appointed for all flesh, may the conso-
lations of thy peace be with them ; and, viewing the
grave as the place where the Lord Jesus lay, may
their hopes be raised to the high and holy place
where he forever reigneth. These things, and what-
ever else thou seest fitting for us, for our mourning
friends, and for all mankind, we humbly ask in the
name and through the merits of him who is the
resurrection and the life, our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
The following may be used when the last of the above is omitted; espe-
cially at the f\mcralofa Child.
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who
240 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
art our only hope in time of need, we look unto
thee in the name of Jesus Christ, confident that
thou wilt hear the prayer of faith, and impart thy
grace to those who need. We beseech thee to be-
hold us in mercy ; to forgive our sins, and to hear
our prayers. Righteous art thou, O God, in all thy
ways, and merciful and good in thy dealings with
the children of men. Our sufferings are less than
our sins deserve : it is of thy mercy, and because
thy compassion faileth not, that we are not con-
sumed. But thou knowest, Lord, our weakness,
and how little it is that we can endure ; that our
faith fail not, and for the glory of thy name, turn
from us, we beseech thee, the evils of life, or give
us grace to bear them with due submission to thy
holy will. Behold, and bless us on this occasion,
when called to weep with those whom thy righteous
providence has called to weep. Let thy Holy Spirit
be with us, to sanctify our hearts, and inspire ns
with a just sense of thy character, and of our duty.
Cause us to know our end, and the number of our
days, how few they are, that we may duly reflect
how short a time we have to live. Thou hast
made our days but few, and our age is as nothing,
compared with thee. In middle age, and in youth,
and in childhood, is man cut down like a flower.
May the shortness of the time allotted us make us
more diligent in performing what our hands find to
do ; remembering that no work can be done in the
grave whither we go. While we sympathize in the
sorrows of our mourning friends, raise, we beseech
thee, our thoughts and our hopes to those heavenly
things which thou hast promised to the faithful in
a better world; and while we see and feel that the
wages of sin is death, may we rejoice and be thank-
ful that the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus
Christ ; who, by rising from the dead, hath become
the first-fruits of those who sleep, that in him this
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 241
Office for the Burial of the Dead.
mortal shall put on immortality ; that he will change
these our perishing bodies, and make them like unto
his own glorious body, and death shall be swallow-
ed up in victory. Make us duly thankful that there
is a place of refuge, a God hearing prayer, to whom
the afflicted may fly for comfort and peace. In the
confidence of this belief, and trusting in thy mercy,
through the merits of our Savior, we commend to
thy compassionate goodness the afflicted family
from whom thou hast taken a beloved child. Be-
hold them, O Lord, in mercy, and sanctify their
sorrows. Make them sensible that thou art just
and good, and give them grace to be resigned to thy
holy will. May they say in their heart, It is the
Lord ; let him do what seemeth to him good. May
they, on this distressing occasion, be still and know
that thou art God, and that thou makest all things
work together for good to those who love thee. May
they think, with thankfulness, on the many bles-
sings which they still possess; and chiefly may they
rejoice, with consolation, in the day and means of
grace. Help them, we beseech thee, O God, and
help us all to make suitable improvement from this
mournful event ; to see the vanity of earthly hopes,
and the uncertainty of terrestrial things. What,
Lord, is our hope 1 Truly our hope is in thee. And
having this hope, may we purify ourselves, even as
thou art pure. May we live to thy glory in this
world, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlast-
ing life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,
with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
Instead of the above Prayers, which follow the Lesson, or any of them,
may be selected such Collects from the Prayer Book as shall be thought
more suitable.
The Sermon or Exhortation, if there be one at the time, may herf
follow.
21 P
242 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Public Thanksgiving.
The Service may be concluded withlke following Prayer and Blet-
ting:
O God, whose days are without end, and whose
mercies cannot be numbered, make us, we beseech
thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer-
tainty of human life, and let thy Holy Spirit lead
us through this vale of misery in holiness and
righteousness all the days of our lives ; that when
we shall have served thee in our generation, we
may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testi-
mony of a good conscience ; in the communion of
thy holy church ; in the confidence of a certain
faith ; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and
steadfast hope ; in favor with thee our God, and in
perfect charity with all the world. All which we
ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and re-
main with you always. Amen.
When it is not convenient to carry the corpse into a church, the above
Service may be used in a private dwelling -house, or other building.
Public Thanksgiving.
In addition to the Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God
for the Fruits of the Earth, &c. the following Prayer may be used, at the
discretion of the minister.
ADORABLE and everlivingGod, who art the Author
and Giver of all good things ; who visitest the earth
and blessest it, making it very plenteous; who
sendest rain into the valleys, makest the grass to
grow upon the mountains, and crownest the year
with thy goodness, thou art the God of all the earth ;
all creatures wait upon thee that thou mayst give
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 243
Public Thanksgiving.
them their meat in dulseason. We would praise
thee, O Lord, for thy unbounded goodness, and de-
clare the wonders which thou dost for the children
of men. Our fathers hoped in thee ; they trusted
in thee, and thou didst deliver them. We thank
thee, O God, for the good land which thou gavest
to them and to us, their children, and for blessings
unnumbered, both temporal and spiritual, which,
through thy patient goodness, we still enjoy. Thou,
O God, hast proved us ; thou didst remember us in
our low estate, and redeemedst us from our enemies.
Thou givest peace in our borders, and blessest our
labors with increase. We yield thee thanksgiving
and praise for thy great and manifold blessings
vouchsafed to the government and people of these
United States ; that we have the enjoyment of civil
and religious liberty, and are protected by the ad-
ministration of just and equal laws. Grant that a
sense of thy goodness to us and to our country may
engage our hearts and lives in thy service. Give
wisdom, and strength, and union to our public
councils. Bless the governor and other rulers of this
state, and all who are in authority over us. Bless
our churches, and all our religious institutions.
May the gospel spread, and godliness more and
more prevail ; and may all who profess the faith of
Christ walk worthy of their vocation. We pray
that the blessings of that liberty wherewith Christ
has made us free, may be extended and preserved
among all people. Enlarge the borders of the Re-
deemer's kingdom, till all the ends of the earth
shall rejoice in his salvation. Increase and multiply
upon us thy mercy, that, thou being our Ruler and
Guide, we may so pass through things temporal,
that finally we lose not the things eternal. These
things, and whatever else thou seest to be good for
us and our country, and for all the people and
nations of the earth, we ask, through the merits and
244 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Public Thanksgiving.
mediation of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Savior. Amen.
Another, which may be used after the Sermon.
ADORABLE and everliving God, who art the Giver
of all good, grant, we beseech thee, that the words
which we have now heard, and the occasion on
which we are permitted at this time to meet toge-
ther, may, through thy grace, awaken in our minds
a thankful sense of thy great goodness. Accept
our repeated thanks for the goodly heritage which
thy bounty has bestowed upon us ; for the civil
and religious privileges which we enjoy, and for
all the benefits still continued to this our favored
country. We thankfully acknowledge that it is of
thy goodness that these United States have been
preserved through many perils, and advanced in
prosperity to an honorable name among the nations
of the earth. We praise thee for the many bles-
sings vouchsafed to us, and to the people of this
state in which we live, during the year which is
now drawing towards an end. May a deep and
permanent sense of thy goodness engage our hearts
and lives in thy fear and service. Help us to enjoy
the bounty which thy hand bestows, with tempe-
rance, and sobriety, and with thankfulness to thee.
Bless, O Lord, our churches, and all our religious
institutions, and enlarge the borders of the Re-
deemer's kingdom till all the ends of the earth shall
see and rejoice in thy salvation. We present these
our thankful offerings in the name, and through
the merits, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ;
to whom, with thee and the Divine Spirit, be ren-
dered unceasing praise. Amen.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 245
A Prayer that may be used on the Fourth Day of July.
A Prayer that may be used on the Fourth Day of July.
O HOLY, righteous, and immortal God, King of
kings and Lord of lords, who dost, from thy hea-
venly throne, behold and govern all the people and
kingdoms of this lower world, thou art a strong
tower and defence to those who fear and trust in
thee ; thou art the Giver of all good, and the only
hope of all the ends of the earth. With humble
adoration we would lift our heart and voice to thee,
inpraiste and prayer. We adore thee as the God in
whom our fathers trusted ; as the God whose holy,
protecting arm has preserved the people of these
United States through many and great perils ; has
distinguished them by unnumbered blessings, and
given them a great name among the nations of the
earth. We praise thee for the dispensations of thy
bountiful hand, and for all thy goodness vouchsafed
to us thy favored people. Through thy blessing,
and because thy compassions fail not, we are
brought again to behold this anniversary of our
national Independence. May its return call to our
remembrance thy mercies, which have ever been of
old ; arid may we be sensible that not for our own
righteousness, or the uprightness of our own heart,
hast thou brought us in to possess this good land ;
nor has the might of our own arm given us victory
in battle. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but
unto thy name be the praise, for thy mercy, and for
thy truth's sake. Grant unto us, we beseech thee,
such sense of thy blessings to us, and to the people
of our country, that our hearts may be unfeignedly
thankful, and our lives be devoted to thee. And
we pray, O God, that we and our country may still
be under thy holy care and protection. Be thou
our shield and our buckler, that we, surely trusting
246 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used on the Fourth Day of July.
in thy defence, may not fear the power of any ad-
versaries. We beseech thee to continue thy merci-
ful goodness to us and to our country. Give wis-
dom, and strength, and union to the government
and people of these United States, and this state
especially in which we live. Bless all who are set
in authority over us, and so enlighten their minds,
direct their counsels, and strengthen their hands,
that righteousness and peace may 4 well in our land.
May they who are appointed to give laws, and to
execute them, be endued with wisdom and equity,
and a just regard to the public good, that, through
their impartial ministrations, peace and happiness,
truth and justice, religion and piety may increase,
and the safety and welfare of thy people be promot-
ed. Grant, O Lord, that a deep sense of thy pro-
vidential care may preserve us from pride and self-
dependence. While we are thankful for the great
blessings of civil liberty and political independence,
may we be preserved from a trust in ourselves, and
from all vain confidence of boasting. May we
never forget who it is that makes us to differ from
others, nor use our liberty for a cloak of malicious-
ness ; but follow after charity, and the things which
make for peace. Much reason have we to fear that
the sins which prevail in our country, and our un-
grateful returns for thy unnumbered mercies, should
provoke thy indignation, and call thy judgments
upon us. We beseech thee mercifully to look upon
our infirmities, and turn from us the evils which
we justly have deserved. Preserve us, O Lord,
from desolating judgments ; from selfishness, dis-
cord, and contention. O grant, we beseech thee,
that we may be united and happy; ever rejoicing in
thy holy protection. And wilt thou, O Lord, be merci-
ful to those who need the blessings which we enjoy.
May light and liberty, and pure and undefined reli-
gion, be more and more extended, till all the nations
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 247
A Prayer that may be used at the Beginning or Close of a Year.
of the earth shall rejoice in thee their God. And
may all who shall assemble on occasion of this an-
niversary, be duly sensible from whom our bles-
sings flow. Help us to enjoy the bounty which thy
hand bestows, with temperance and sobriety, and
in thy faith and fear. May this day be so celebrat-
ed as not to increase the sins of the nation ; but
rather, through thy blessing, be so observed as to
diffuse the comforts of rational freedom, social affec-
tions, and pious gratitude throughout the communi-
ty. Extend thy blessing to our churches ; to our
religious institutions, and to all our efforts to spread
the knowledge of Christ, and the comforts of his
gospel. May thy kingdom come, and thy will be
done on earth, as it is in heaven. May the days
come quickly, when the mountain of the Lord's
house shall be established in the top of the moun-
tains, and be exalted above the hills, and all nations
flow unto it ; when the Redeemer's kingdom shall
overspread the earth, and all the ends of the world
shall see and rejoice in the salvation of our God.
We ask these things in the name and through the
merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer that may be used on occasion of the Close of a Year, or the
Commencement of a New Year.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, whose mercies are
like thy years, unnumbered, we, thy dependent
creatures, humbly adore thee for thy manifold good-
ness to us, and to all the children of men. Awaken
in our hearts a thankful sense of thy forbearing
mercy in preserving our lives through the dangers,
and all the changes and trials of another year of
fleeting time. We acknowledge thee as the Lord
of our life, by whom we escape death, and that it
248 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer that may be used at the B^e"?F"g or Close of a Year.
is of thy mercy that we are not consumed. As the
years of our life are passing away, help us, we
beseech thee, so to number our days, so to es-
timate the shortness and uncertainty of life, that
we may apply our hearts to the wisdom which is
from above; that we may know thy truth, and do
thy will. Pardon, O Lord, our many sins and
transgressions, during the time which is passed and
gone. Who can tell how oft he offendeth : cleanse
us, we beseech thee, from all our secret faults, and
preserve us from presumptuous sins; let them
not have dominion over us. Lead^ us not into
temptation ; but deliver us from evil.* Thou hast
made our days but as a span, and our age is as
nothing in respect of thee. A thousand years in
thy sight are but as yesterday. The heavens,
which are the works of thy hands, shall perish :
but thou remainest ever the same, and thy years
fail not. Give us grace to redeem the time ; to use
the world as not abusing it, and to be always ready
to leave this world at any day or hour in which the
Lord our God shall call us. Make us more sensible
that in the midst of life we are in death ; that we
have no Savior in heaven but thee, and that there
is none on earth that we can reasonably desire in
comparison of thee. May we not be so careful and
troubled about the things of this world, as to forget
or neglect that which is most needful. May we
choose that good part which shall not be taken from
us. Make us, O our God, duly thankful for all the
favors bestowed upon us from our earliest infancy
to this present hour, and especially for the many
and great blessings which are still continued to us.
Make us sensible how often and how much we
have abused thy favors, and how unfruitful of good
works our lives have been. O may we not be cut
down as cumberers of the ground ; but, for the sake
of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, be spared an-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 249
Prayer for a New Year.
other year, and have grace to show our thankful-
ness with our lips and in our lives, by a holy and
obedient walking before thee. Support us, O our
heavenly Father, in all the trials of life which
await us. In seasons of prosperity may we be
thankful and humble ; in adversity, patient and re-
signed. As times and seasons to us are renewed,
may our hearts be also renewed and created again
unto good works.
And wilt thou, O Lord, revive thy work in the
midst of the years. Extend, we beseech thee, the
light of thy truth to those who are sitting in spirit-
ual darkness and in the shadow of death. Be mer-
ciful to those who are living without God in the
world, or any sure hope of immortal blessedness,
spending their days and their years in vanity and
sin. Bless thy word wherever it is spoken, and
send it to those places where it is not heard.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our suppli-
cations and prayers, and dispose our ways towards
the attainment of everlasting salvation, that, among
all the changes and perils of this mortal state, we
may ever be defended by thy most gracious and
ready help. May we labor faithfully in doing those
good works which thou hast ordained for us to
walk in, before that night cometh in which no man
can work. We ask these things in the name and
through the mediation of Jesus Christ, our blessed
Lord and Savior. Amen.
For a New Year.
O HOLY, just, and almighty God, whose days are
without end, and whose mercies cannot be number-
ed, we bless thee for thy patient goodness to us, thy
unworthy creatures. We adore thee for thy creat-
250 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayer for a New Year.
ing power which called us from dust and darkness
into life and being. Awaken in our hearts a still
more thankful sense of thy forbearing mercy, in
prolonging our lives from day to day, and from year
to year ; and especially for thy preservation, and
blessings bestowed upon us during the perils and
changes of the last year, now passed and gone ; and
that thou art still giving us time and opportunity to
amend our lives, and prepare for our eternal state.
Teach us, we beseech thee, so to number our days
and estimate thy goodness, that we may apply our
hearts unto true wisdom ; that we may better know
thy truth, and more faithfully do thy will. Should
it be, O gracious Father, thy good pleasure that our
days may still be prolonged on the earth, and thou
shalt let us continue this year also, may our hearts
and lives be devoted to thee, in a sober, righteous
and godly living. While days, and weeks, and
years are so continued to us, may our love to thee
increase, and may we manifest our thankfulness
by doing all those good works which thou hast
ordained for us to walk in. May it be our endeavor
and delight to do good unto all men, especially unto
them who are of the household of faith. May we
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive; and
rejoice to follow the steps of him who went about
doing good. Enlarge our hearts with compassion
for the sons and daughters of sorrow ; and, accord-
ing as we have opportunity and power, may we be
ready to give, and glad to distribute, and to offer
that sacrifice with which thou art well pleased.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in all we do, with thy
most gracious favor, and dispose our hearts and our
ways towards the attainment of everlasting salva-
tion, that among all the changes and trials of this
mortal life, we may ever be defended by thy most
gracious and ready help ; and when days and years
GRISWOLB'S PRAYERS. 251
Prayers that may be used at the Closing of a Convention.
with us shall end, and time shall be no longer, may
we be received into those realms of life eternal,
where sorrows shall cease, and prayer shall be chang-
ed to endless praise. Grant this, O merciful God,
through Him, who is the resurrection and the life,
thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers that may be used at the Closing of a Convention.
O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth
all things in heaven and on earth, and who dost
ever help and govern those whom thou dost bring
up in thy steadfast fear and love, keep us, we be-
seech thee, under thy holy care and protection, and
make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy
holy name. Grant us the help of thy grace, that,
in keeping thy commandments, we may please thee
in will and deed. May we love the things which
thou commandest, and desire those which thou dost
promise ; and among the sundry and manifold
changes of this world, may our hearts be surely
fixed where true joys are to be found, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit
the whole body of the church is governed and sanc-
tified, receive our supplications and prayers for all
estates of men in thy holy church, that every mem-
ber of it, in his vocation and ministry, may truly
and godly serve thee. Send down upon our bishops
and other clergy, and upon the congregations com-
mitted to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy
grace ; and, that they may truly please thee, pour
upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. We
beseech thee to inspire continually the universal
church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord;
252 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
Prayers that may be used at the Closing of a Convention.
and grant that all they who do confess thy holy
name may agree in the truth of thy holy word,
and live in unity and godly love. And grant, O
Lord, we beseech thee, th at the course of this world
may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance,
that thy church may joyfully serve thee in all
godly quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
We yield thee humble and hearty thanks, O hea-
venly Father, for thy merciful goodness to us and
to all men. We bless thee for thine inestimable
love in the redemption of the world by our Lord
Jesus Christ ; for the preaching of his gospel ; the
establishment of his church ; the means of grace,
and the hope of glory. We render thee our thanks
and adoration for thy blessings bestowed upon the
churches and congregations of thy people with
whom we are more particularly connected. We
bless thee that we have been permitted, as the
council of those churches, to assemble here in thy
name and presence ; we give thee thanks for the
harmony that has prevailed during our delibera-
tions, and the brotherly intercourse which we have
enjoyed. Give us, we beseech thee, that due sense
of these and all thy mercies, that our hearts may be
duly thankful, and that we may show forth thy
praise, by a holy obedience to thy holy will, through
Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee and
the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world with-
out end. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understand-
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord ; and the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst
you, and remain with you always. Amen.
GRIS^rOLD's PRAYERS. 253
A Prayer that may be used after an Evening Lecture.
A Prayer that may be used after au Evening Lecture.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who art the Author
and Giver of all good, we humbly and thankfully
acknowledge thy manifold mercies to thy sinful
creatures. We bless thee for the benefits which
we have received during the day past, and for the
favor of this opportunity of worshipping in thy
house. Pardon, we beseech thee, the sins that we
may have committed in thy presence. Accept the
prayers and thanksgivings which we have offered
before thee. Forgive us wherein we have asked
amiss. Grant that what has been faithfully asked,
according to thy will, may effectually be obtained,
to the supplying of what we need, and to the pro-
motion of thy glory and praise. Grant, O Lord,
that what has been read this evening from thy
word, and what has been spoken according to thy
will, may be to all who have heard it a savor of
life unto life; may it be so impressed upon our
hearts as to establish, strengthen, and settle us in
the faith of Jesus Christ, and bring forth in us the
fruit of righteousness and peace. We pray that
thy good Spirit may go with us to our respective
dwellings; may thy kind, protecting Providence
watch over us whilst we sleep ; preserve us through
the silent watches of the night, and fit us for the
duties of the following day. And whilst our lives
are prolonged upon the earth, take us, we beseech
thee, heavenly Father, and all that is near and
dear to us, under thy holy care and keeping. Di-
rect our steps in the paths of righteousness and
peace, and dispose all our ways towards the attain-
ment of everlasting salvation, that we may live to
thy glory in this world, and in the world to come
22
254 GRISWOLD'S PRAY!:
A Prayer that may be used after aLecture.
enjoy eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A men.
Another Prayer which may be used after a Lecture.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that
what has now been spoken according to thy word
and will, may be grafted in our hearts, and fruitful
in our lives. Pardon us wherein we have spoken
or heard amiss, and direct our desires and dispose
our ways towards the attainment of everlasting
salvation. And grant, O Lord, that by the opera-
tion of the Holy Ghost, all Christians may be so
joined together in unity of spirit, and in the bond of
peace, that they may be a holy temple acceptable
unto thee. And especially to this congregation,
and to those who worship thee in this house, give
the abundance of thy grace, that with one heart
they may desire the prosperity of thy holy apostolic
church, and strive together for the faith of the gos-
pel which was once delivered to the saints. O
thou blessed Spirit of the living God, Sanetifier of
the faithful, dwell in their, hearts with thy love and
favor. Defend them from error, heresy, and pride.
Enlighten their minds with the truth of thy word ;
graft in their hearts the love of thy name ; increase
in them true religion ; nourish them with all good-
ness ; and of thy great mercy^keep them steadfast
in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy
commandments. 'And grant, we beseech thje, that
the course of this world may be so peaceably or-
dered by thy governance that we, and all thy peo-
ple, may serve thee in godly quietness ; that we
may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and at
last be numbered with thy saints in glory, through
GUIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 255
A general Prayer for Mariners and People at Sea.
the merits of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Savior. Amen.
A general Prayer for Mariners and People at Sea.
O ETERNAL God, the Creator and Preserver of all
mankind, who art glorious in power, and of majes-
ty incomprehensible, we adore thee as the King of
kings and the Lord of lords. By thy word were
the heavens made, and all their host by the breath
of thy mouth. Thou gavest to the sea thy decree,
that the waters should obey thy commandment.
Thou, O God, art the confidence of all the ends of
the earth, and of them who are afar off upon the
sea. We humbly ask for thy blessing upon our-
selves, and upon all for whom we ought to pray,
and especially upon them who go down to the sea
in ships, and do business upon the great waters of
the ocean. They see thy works and thy wonders
in the, deep. At thy command the stormy winds
arise, and the floods lift up their voice. The waves
of the sea are mighty ; they rage and swell ; but
thou, Lord, who dwellest on high, art mightier.
Thou rulest the raging of the deep, and when its
waves arise thou stillest them. We humbly im-
plore thy blessing and providential care for all who
are exposed to the perils of the ocean, and are borne
upon its mighty waves. Give them, we beseech
thee, a lively sense of thy providential care, and of
the wonders which thou dost for the children of
men. Help them to know thy unspeakable love in
the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ. At all
times, and in every peril and distress, may they look
unto thee, as the Lord God of their salvation, who
spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of
the sea, and art a present help in every time of need.
256 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Thanksgiving for Escape from great Danger at Sea.
Grant them a pious trust in thy kind protecting
providence. While we in greater safety enjoy thy
blessings on these peaceful shores, may we feel for
those who are deprived of the privileges of thy
house and sanctuary. O hear our prayers for
them, who for the mutual benefit of distant climes,
and to multiply the blessings of life, encounter the
perils of the sea. In storms and tempests ; in every
danger and all distress, be thou their help and
comfort. Preserve them from sickness ; from ship-
wreck; from the violence of enemies, and from
every evil to which they be exposed. Prosper them
in the business and the occupation in which they
may be engaged. Conduct them in safety to the
countries and havens where they desire to be ; and
in thy good time conduct them to their homes, their
families and friends, in prosperity and peace ; and
dispose them, we beseech thee, to be thankful for
thy goodness, and to live to thy praise. These
things, O heavenly Father, and whatever thou shalt
see to be necessary or convenient for their present
happiness and their eternal good, we humbly ask
in the name and through the mediation of Jesus
Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
A Thanksgiving for Escape from great Danger at Sea.
ADORABLE and everliving God, whose mercy is
over all thy works, we adore thee for thy manifold
goodness to the sons of men. Thou boldest our
soul in life, and sufferest not our feet to slip. Thou
hast shut up the sea within its bounds, and said,
Hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther, and here
shall thy proud waves be staid. They who sail
upon the waters of the ocean see thy glorious
works, and thy wonders in the deep. At thy com-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 257
A Thanksgiving for Escape from great Danger at Sea.
mand the stormy winds arise, which lift up mighty
waves, and fill the hearts of men with fear. But
when they cry unto thee in their trouble, thou
bringest them out of their distress : thou makest the
storm to cease so that the waves of the sea are still.
Then are they glad, because they are at rest, and
thou, in the plenitude of thy mercy, bringest them
unto the haven where they would be. Help us, O
Lord, to praise thee for thy goodness, and for all
the wonders thou dost for the children of men.
We desire, O Lord, especially to render thee our
humble thanks and praise for conducting in safety
through the perils of the sea thy servant, who de-
sires now in the presence of thy people to adore
thee for thy merciful goodness in preserving him
from perishing. When surrounded with terrors,
dangers, and death, thou didst deliver him from a
watery grave : thou didst say to the winds, Peace ;
be still, and there was a great calm. Many have
perished in the ocean, and sunk amidst the waters
of the deep, while, through thy great goodness, this
thy servant has been rescued from impending death ;
preserved through the toils and dangers of the sea,
and restored to safety and peace. Accept, O mer-
ciful God, his humble offering of thankfulness and
praise ; and give him grace to manifest his sense
of thy goodness, by a steadfast reliance upon thy
providential care, and by devoting himself to thy
service in a holy obedience to thy laws, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord arid Savior. Amen.
22* Q
258 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for God's Grace and Protection that may be used daily.
Prayers which may be used at Sea when the regular public service ii not
performed.
A Prayer for God's Grace and Protection, that may be used daily.
ADORABLE and everliving God, who art always
more ready to hear than we to pray, we look unto
thee as the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of
them who remain upon the broad sea. Thou 'in
thy strength settest fast the mountains ; thou stillest
the raging of the sea, and the noise of his waves,
and the madness of the people ; by thy righteous
providence thou dost govern all things in heaven
and on earth. We beseech thee, O Lord, to behold
with thy favor and blessing thy dependent, unwor-
thy creatures ; to forgive our sins, and blot out our
transgressions. Remember not, Lord, our offences ;
but thy mercy in Jesus Christ. For his sake hear
our prayers, sanctify our affections, and renew a
right spirit within us. O thou Father of our spirits,
take us, we entreat thee, under the protection of thy
almighty arm. Preserve us from the dangers of the
sea, and from every evil to which we are, or may
be, exposed. While we are wafted by mighty
winds amidst the waves of the ocean, be thou our
Ruler and Guide. In every danger, and difficulty,
and distress, help us to look unto thee for succor,
and to put our trust in thy providential care. May
we be ever mindful of thy presence ; that thou art
about our path, and about our bed, and spiest out
all our ways. There is not a word in our tongue,
nor a thought in our heart, but thou, O Lord, know-
est it altogether. Whither can we go from thy
Spirit ! If we take the wings of the morning and
dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there
shall thou lead us, and thy right hand shall hold
us. O be thou our safeguard and defence. Pre-
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 259
A Prayer for God's Grace and Protection that may be used daily.
serve us from all undue reliance on human skill or
the help of man. Without thee nothing is strong,
and without thy blessing the labor of man is vain.
We desire, O God, with thankful hearts to bless
thy holy name for thy daily goodness and provi-
dential care from the commencement of our lives to
this present time. To thy watchful care we owe it,
that we are preserved from day to day, and borne
in safety upon the mighty waters of the deep. Give
us hearts to be thankful for thy great goodness, and
give us grace to show forth thy praise by living
according to thy word and will. Help us to perform
every duty which we owe to thee, and to our fel-
low-men. May we reverence thy holy name, and
have that fear of the Lord which is the beginning
of wisdom. Preserve us from all presumptuous
sins, and vouchsafe,* we. beseech thee, to direct,
sanctify and govern our hearts and our bodies in
the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy com-
mandments, that through thy most mighty protec-
tion, both in this our present voyage, and through
all the course of our future life, we may be pre-
served from sin, and from all manner of evil. We
beseech thee, O Lord, to give such prosperity and
success to the business and occupation in which we
are interested or engaged, as shall promote thy glory,
and our own best good. Give us grace to be pru-
dent and upright in all our dealings, and to be faith-
ful to all in whose business we are trusted or em-
ployed. To thy gracious protection, O heavenly
Father, we commit ourselves and all our concerns.
Direct and defend us in all we do, and in every
danger. Prepare us for every event of thy provi-
dence. As our days so may our strength be. We
pray thee to turn from us the evils which our sins
have deserved, and grant that in all our troubles
and difficulties we may put our whole trust and
confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in
260 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Prayer for a prosperous Voyage, and for Friends on Shore.
holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and
glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Another, for a prosperous Voyage, and for Friends on Shore.
ADORABLE and everliving God, who alone spread-
est out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the
sea, in humble adoration we look unto thee as the
Author of our being, the Giver of all good, and the
hope of all the ends of the earth. Unto thee all
hearts are open, all desires known, and from
thee no secrets are hid. We, thy sinful creatures,
beseech thee to behold us in hiercy ; to forgive our
sins, to sanctify our hearts, and to hear with favor
these our supplications and prayers. Enter not
into judgment with thy servants, O Lord ; for in thy
sight shall no man living, in his own righteousness,
be justified. We look unto thee in the name and
through the merits of thy Son, our Savior Je$tis
Christ, by whom thou hast graciously taught us to
ask, that we may receive ; to seek, that we may
find. We pray thee to give unto us, who humbly
ask of thee, O heavenly Father, thy blessing upon
us and ours. We pray thee to take us, and all that
appertains to us, under thy merciful care and pro-
tection. Preserve us, we beseech thee, in every
danger: conduct us in safety over the mighty waters
of the deep; give us prosperity in our present
voyage, and enable us to arrive at the haven where
we would be, with a thankful sense of thy provi-
dential care.
And wilt thou. Lord, in thy merciful goodness,
accept our prayers for our families and friends, from
whom we now are absent. Preserve them, we be-
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 261
A Prayer which may be used in Storms, and other Dangers at Sea.
seech thee, from sickness arid sorrow, and from
every evil ; and graciously watch over them for
good. Grant that in thy good time we may meet
them in prosperity and peace, and with them unite
in thankful acknowledgments of thy great good-
ness.
And to our prayers we desire, O blessed Lord, to
give thee humble and hearty thanks for all thy
goodness and loving kindness to us, and to all men.
We bless thee for all the favors and benefits which
we have received from the commencement of our
lives to the present hour. We thank thee especially
for the mercies vouchsafed to us during the present
voyage. And we beseech thee to give us that due
sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be
unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth
thy praise, not only with our lips but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walk-
ing before thee in holiness and righteousness all our
days, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Savior. Amen.
A Prayer which may be used in Storms, and other Dangers at Sea:
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who art the hope
of all the earth, and our only refuge in danger and
distress, behold us, we beseech thee, in mercy, and
save us, Lord, or we perish. Remember not, Lord,
our offences, nor take thou vengeance of our sins.
O be merciful unto us, and save us for the sake of
thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
O thou blessed Jesus, who didst save thy disci-
ples when ready to perish, deliver us from peril and
destruction. The winds and the sea obey thee. If
thou speak the word, we shall be delivered from
262 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A Form of Thanksgiving at Sea for Escape from Danger.
fear, and restored to safety and peace. Spare us,
good Lord, spare thy people whom thou didst die
to save. O thou Father of our spirits, and Giver
of our lives, forsake us not in this perilous hour,
nor leave us to perish. We commit ourselves, and
all that is ours, to thy almighty protection. Thy
mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens, and thy
faithfulness unto the clouds. Be merciful unto us,
O God, be merciful unto us, for our soul trusteth in
thee; in the shadow of thy wings we make our
refuge, until this calamity be overpast. O be not
thou far from us when trouble and distress are near.
Spare us a little, before we go hence and be no more
seen. Let our prayer come before thee, and incline
thine ear unto our cry ; for our soul is full of trouble,
and our life draweth nigh unto the grave. Thou.
O God, art to be feared, and who can stand when
thou art angry ? Nothing is too hard for thee, nor
is there any one who can deliver out of thy hands.
Thou art a strong-hold in the day of trouble, and
with thee all things are possible. Thou hast
taught us to call upon thee in the day of trouble.
O deliver us, that we may glorify thee, and declare
the wonders which thou dost for the children of
men. Help, O Lord, we beseech thee, and deliver
us for thy mercy's sake: hear our prayers, and
save us for the infinite merits of thy Son, our Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Form of Thanksgiving at Sea for Escape from Danger.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, who art the
Giver and Preserver of our lives, wonderful are the
works which thou hast done : unnumbered are thy
mercies vouchsafed to the sons of men. Thou art
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 263
A Form of Thanksgiving at Sea for Escape from Danger.
patient and long-suffering, and in the midst of judg-
ment rememberest mercy. It is of thy mercy that
we are not consumed, and because thy compassions
fail not. Thou killest and makest alive, and there
is none who can deliver out of thy hand. Thy
name, O Lord, is excellent in all the earth, and thy
glory is above the heavens : according to thy name,
so is thy praise. Great art thou in wonders ; there
is no end of thy greatness, and greatly art thou to
be praised. Thou art the God of whom cometh
salvation ; thou art the Lord by whom we escape
death. Thou stillest the raging of the sea, and the
noise of its waves. Thou measurest the waters in
the hollow of thy hand, and hast meted out heaven
with a span. Thou sittest upon the circle of the
earth, and the inhabitants thereof are reputed as
nothing in comparison of thee. Heaven is thy
throne, and the earth thy footstool. Thy kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion en-
dureth throughout all generations. At thy word
the stormy winds arise, which lift up the waves of
the sea. filling the hearts of men with fear. When
they cry unto thee in their trouble, thou bringest
them out of their distress : thou makest the storm
to cease, so that the waves of the sea are still.
Then are they glad because they are at rest, and
thou bringest them in safety to the haven where
they would be. Then do they praise thee for thy
goodness : and we, O God, would praise thee for
that thou hast heard us in the hour of distress, and
art become our salvation. Thou art a God full of
compassion, and plenteous in mercy. When we
called upon thee in our trouble and distress thou
wast nigh to help, and attentive to our cry. Not
for our worthiness, but from thy mercy are we now
alive to render thee our humble thanks and praise.
When we were in misery, thou didst help us ; when
trouble was hard upon us, and all hope that we
264 GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS.
A general Prayer for the Sick.
should be saved was taken away, we found that
thy almighty arm is a ready help in time of need.
Thou hast chastened us, but not given us over unto
death. Nothing is too hard for thee to effect, nor is
any thing too great or too good for thee to bestow.
Thou hast made us glad through thy work, and
we will rejoice in the operation of thy hand. We
bless thee, O God, that thou didst not give us over
unto death. Many have perished in the ocean, and
sunk amidst the waters of the deep, while we re-
main among the living, to praise thee for thy good-
ness, and to declare the wonders that thou dost for
the children of men. Help us, O Lord, to show
forth thy praise by obedience to thy laws ; may we
ever be mindful of thy goodness, and devote to thee,
and to thy service, the lives which thou in mercy
hast preserved. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and
bless us for the sake of thy Son, our Savior, Jesus
Christ, in whose name we offer all our prayers and
praise. Amen.
The following, through, inadvertency, was omitted in its proper place.
A general Prayer for the Sick, with Collects adapted to some particular
Occasions.
ALMIGHTY and immortal God, who art the Giver of
life and health, and in whom we live, and move,
and have our being, we look unto thee as the God
of mercy, and our on]y help in the hour of distress.
We acknowledge that sickness, and pains, and sor-
rows are the dispensations of thy righteous hand,
and are less than our sins deserve. Remember not,
Lord, our offences, neither take thou vengeance of
our sins ; but spare in mercy, those whom thou
GRISWOLD S PRAYERS.
A general Prayer for the Sick.
hast in love redeemed. Look with compassion
upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy name
turn from us those evils which our sins have de-
served. In all our troubles, and all the trials of
life, may we put our whole trust and confidence in
thy mercy.
Thou hast taught us in thy word, that all
things and all events are under the power and the
direction of thy wise and good providence; that
not a sparrow falls without thy permission, and
that all things work together for good to those who
love thee, and are called according to thy purpose.
If thou be for us, nothing can be effectually against
us. Give us grace, we beseech thee, in all things
to submit to thy righteousness, and to be conformed
to thy will. If the cup of affliction may not, con-
sistently with thy wisdom, pass from us, be it not
as we will, O God, but as thou wilt. Grant that
we, who have received so much good at thy hand,
may never murmur, nor charge thee foolishly when
we receive evil. Help us to take the cross and fol-
low Him who patiently endured the pains of mor-
tality, to purchase for us eternal life. Preserve us
from all faithless desire that things should be ac-
cording to our mind. May we rejoice and bless thy
holy name, that our afflictions, which comparatively
are light, and but for a moment, will, if we are pa-
tiently exercised by them, and submissive to thy
will, work in us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory. May we learn obedience by the
things which we suffer, and know that it is good
for us to be sometimes afflicted.
In the midst of life we are in death, continually
liable to calamitous accidents and various diseases.
May such visitations be sanctified to our spiritual
and eternal good. May seasons of sickness, when
we are retired from our worldly occupations, remind
us that we are mortal, and be wisely viewed as
23
266 QRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Sleep, and Rest, and temporal Comforts.
gracious opportunities of raising our thoughts from
the world to thee ; of attending to the concerns of
our immortal souls, and laying up treasures which
neither moth nor rust can corrupt.
We bless thee, O God, that in the midst of judg-
ment thou rememberest mercy, giving ease to pains,
and mingling many comforts with the evils of life ;
that thou dost not deal with us according to our
sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities.
Justly mightest thou reject our prayer, and take
thy Holy Spirit from us. But thou art God, and
not as man ; thou art a refuge to the needy : a present
help in time of trouble.
In this confidence, we entreat thee, O Father of
mercies, to accept our prayer and intercessions in
behalf of this our sick brother, whom we humbly
desire to commend to thy compassionate goodness.
His case, O Lord, and his wants are all before thee ;
help, we beseech thee, and bless him according as
he has need.
Here may be used any of the following Collects which shall be appropriate
to the occasion.
For Sleep, and Rest, and temporal Comforts.
Grant him, O Lord, if it be consistent with thy
wisdom, such sleep and quiet rest as may, through
thy blessing, refresh his spirits, and recruit his
strength. Compose and tranquillize his mind ; may
he be freed from bodily pains and distress, and from
all doubts, needless fears, and faithless apprehen-
sions. May his reason be clear, and his mind be in
a suitable state for religious thoughts and medita-
tions. Grant him such temporal comforts as shall
help him to make the right improvement from the
present visitation. And give him grace to be duly
thankful for thy goodness vouchsafed to him at all
times, and especially during his present sickness.
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 267
For Grace to make Improvement.
For Patience and Resignation.
-4*
Whatever may be the pains, and the weakness,
and other sufferings, which them, in thy unerring
wisdom, shalt call him to endure, give him grace,
we entreat thee, to bear the affliction with patience
and resignation to thy holy will, saying, with thy
servants of old, It is the Lord: let him do what
seemeth to him good ; though he slay me, yet will
I trust in him. May he remember the patience of
Job, and the end of the Lord, who, for us men, and
for our salvation, endured the cross, despising the
shame. May he remember the days that are past,
and thy mercies which have ever been of old ; that
the Lord is pitiful and long-suffering, and that his
mercy endureth forever. May a sense of thy daily
goodness, and of thy promises in Jesus Christ, help
him in patience to possess his soul. According to
his days so may his strength be. Knowing that
the Lord is just in all his dealings, and righteous in
all his ways, give him grace in every trial, and in
all things to be resigned to thy holy will.
For Grace to make Improvement.
We beseech thee, O Lord, in thy merciful good-
ness, to give him grace to make due improvement
under thy chastising hand. Awaken in his mind a
ju6t and lively sense of thy power and authority
over all thy creatures and all thy works, and cause
him to have a greater des^%' that this affliction
should be sanctified to his spiritual benefit, than
that it should be removed. May it work in him
repentance not to be repented of, and awaken in
his mind a serious consideration of the shortness
and uncertainty of his continuance in this present
world. May he call to remembrance the sins of his
268 GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For a new Heart and a lively Faith.
life past, and plead, in a holy faith, for pardon and
forgiveness through Jesus Christ. O hide thy face
from his sins, and blot out all his iniquities. May
a sense of his weakness add strength to his faith,
and seriousness to his repentance, and earnestness
to his prayers for pardon and acceptance ; and may
he so rely upon thy gracious promises, that the
language of his soul may be, For me to live is
Christ, and to die is gain.
For a new Heart and a lively Faith.
Thou hast taught us in thy word, that except a
man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God ; and that without faith we live in sin. We
beseech thee to enlighten the understanding of this
thy servant, that he may see the wonderful things
of thy law ; and being convinced of sin, of right-
eousness, and of judgment, may look unto Jesus
Christ as the way, and the truth, and the life ; and
as the only name given under heaven by which
men can be saved. Make him sensible of the sin-
fulness of his nature, and cause him to see the
wonders of thy love in sending thy Son into this
world, that they who believe in him should not
perish, but have eternal life. Awaken in his soul
an earnest desire to flee from the wrath to come,
and to lay hold on eternal life. Grant him that
holy faith in Jesus Christ which renews the heart,
and brings forth fruit meet for repentance. Reveal
thyself to him as thou dost not to the world ; sanc-
tify all his affections, and renew a right spirit with-
in him. May thy promises of pardon, and accept-
ance in Jesus Christ, be his comfort in life, and his
hope in a dying hour, when he shall resign his
spirit to thee, as into the hands of a faithful Creator.
Remove all doubt and darkness from his mind, and
give him a clear understanding of what he must do
GRIS WOLD'S PRAYERS. 269
For a sick Penitent.
to be saved. Not trusting in his own righteousness,
may he look unto Him who alone has the words
of eternal life, and is the end of the law for right-
eousness to those who believe. Being justified by
faith, may he have peace with God through Jesus
Christ.
For a sick Penitent.
To thee, O righteous God, belong mercy and
forgiveness, though we have rebelled against thee.
A humble spirit, a broken and contrite heart, thou
wilt not despise. Behold, O Lord, in mercy, this
thy servant, who acknowledges his transgression,
and whose sin is now before him. The remem-
brance of it is grievous unto him ; the burthen is
more than he can bear. Have mercy upon him, O
God, according to thy loving kindness: according
to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out his
transgressions. Enter not into judgment with thy
servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living,
for his own merits, be justified. A broken and a
contrite heart thou wilt not despise. O wash him
thoroughly from his iniquity, and cleanse him from
his sin. Cause him to hear with joy and gladness
of thy mercy revealed in Jesus Christ. Create in
him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within
him, that his soul may adore thee for thy goodness,
and all that is in him may praise thy holy name.
Strengthen his resolution to walk in the way of thy
commandments ; and while his days are prolonged
upon the earth, to devote himself to thee in a sober,
righteous and godly life.
For one troubled with Doubts or Despondence.
Just art thou, Lord, and righteous in all thy
dealings : if thou withholdest comfort from thy sin-
23*
270 QRISWOLD'S PRAYERS.
For Recovery from Sickness.
ful creatures, the punishment is less than our sins
deserve. If thou, Lord, shouldst strictly mark
iniquities, who could stand ? but there is forgive-
ness with thee, that thy people may not despond,
nor faint when rebuked of thee. Look, we entreat
thee, with compassion upon this thy afflicted servant,
who suffers thy terrors with a troubled mind. Thou
makest him to possess his former transgressions,
and through apprehension of thy displeasure his
soul is disquieted within him. Thou hast caused
all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning,
that we, through patience and comfort of thy word,
might have hope, and hast promised that they who
mourn for their sins shall be comforted ; grant unto
him, we beseech thee, a right understanding of
himself, and of thy mercy in Jesus Christ, that he
may neither cast away his confidence in thee, nor
place it in any beside thee. Speak peace to his trou-
bled mind, that he may rejoice in the comfort of thy
pardoning love. Reveal to him clearly the way of
his duty, and what he must do to be saved. In-
crease his faith ; O help thou his unbelief. Break not
the bruised reed, nor shut up thy mercy in displea-
sure. Preserve him from all faithless apprehensions
and needless fears. In the multitude of the thoughts
and the sorrows which he hath in his heart, may
thy comforts refresh his soul. Speak peace to his
troubled mind : lift up the light of thy countenance
upon him, that he may rejoice in the hope of thy
salvation.
For Recovery from Sickness.
To thee, O Lord, belong the issues of life and
death : all medicines act by thy decree ; all means
will prevail if thou direct and bless them. We
humbly ask for thy blessing upon the remedies
which may be prescribed or used for restoring him
GRISWOLD'S PRAYERS. 271
A general Prayer for the Sick.
to health., and strength. Make him sensible that
thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth, that
to thee only it appertaineth to give life and health,
and all good things, and that without thy blessing
vain is the help of man. Let no vain confidence
in worldly means, or human skill, diminish his hope
and trust in thee. If it shall be thy good pleasure
to restore him to health, and prolong his days upon
the earth, may he be duly thankful for thy great
goodness, and devote them to thee in a sober, right-
eous, and Christian life.
And wilt thou, O Lord, teach us to pray, and
accept our prayers for all who are any ways
afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate ; that
it may please thee to comfort and relieve them
according to their several necessities, giving them
patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue
out of all their afflictions. Extend, we beseech
thee, to all those who are visited with 'sickness,
such temporal comforts, and spiritual consolations,
as to thy wisdom may seem fitting. May thy
fatherly correction awaken them to righteousness,
and raise their thoughts from the world to thee.
Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy; com-
fort them with a sense of thy goodness ; preserve
them from the temptations of the enemy ; give them
patience under their affliction, and in thy good time
restore them to health, and enable them to lead the
residue of their life in thy fear, and to thy glory ; or
else give them grace so to take thy visitation, that
after this painful life is ended, they may dwell with
thee in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
3 1205 00894 0890
\ countryman stepped into a Broad-street
fruit-store and invested in a nickel's worth of
- chestnuts. In half an hour he returned and
handed the proprietor one uf the uuts. " Waat
does thi.s mean?" asked the dealer. "Well,"
rttuarked the customer, ''that is the only sound
chestnut I found in the pint, and so thought yi>u
had put u ;n by mistake. I am an honest man
ai'd drn't ',\ant to take a mean advantage of
fellow." [Athens (Ga.)
