VIII-Occasional Occasional Prayers I. BEFORE DIVINE SERVICE IN the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. Fill me, O God, with the spirit of prayer and praise and help me to behave myself as in Thy presence. Inspire Thy priest that he may lift our thoughts to Thee. Unite with the bond of brotherly love all who are here gathered together in Thy Name. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. II. IN SICKNESS Almighty God, the Giver of health, restore to me, I beseech Thee, such a measure of bodily strength as will enable me to lead a useful life. If it be Thy will to send me suffering, grant that I may bear it patiently. If it be Thy will to take back the life with which Thou hast blessed me, give me courage to meet death like a soldier. Shouldest Thou be pleased to entrust to me once again the health and vigor of former days, give me the wisdom and the will to use both in doing Thee loyal service. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. III. IN SORROW O God, my heart is heavy and my world is full of gloom. Sorrow has taken hold upon me and I feel my self alone. Draw near to me, Thou God of Comfort, and make me to realize Thy presence. My life is in Thy hand: the world is ordered by Thee. I cannot see Thy plan: I cannot understand Thy way. Yet my sure trust is in Thee, O Lord, and I know that underneath are the Everlasting Arms. Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe. Turn Thy face to me and make my darkness to be light. There is a lesson for me in this sorrow: help me to learn it. It is good for me that I have been in trouble that I may learn Thy statutes. Lead me through the valley of the shadow and bring me into the sunshine of Thy presence. I ask it in the name of Him who was Himself a Man of Sorrows, Thy Son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. IV. IN TEMPTATION Arm me with Thy strength, O Lord. Make me to feel Thy nearness. I have resolved not to commit this great sin: give me grace to keep my resolve and to remain loyal to Thee. The temptation grows stronger. I cannot pray: help me to fight. O God, hear my cry! V. THANKSGIVINGS For Recovery from Sickness O God, Thou hast been pleased to trust me once more with the possession of health and strength. Help me to be faithful to this trust and ever to use these good gifts to Thy greater glory and in the service of my fellow-men. Let not my gratitude end with the saying of this prayer, but let it prove itself a force strong enough to influence my whole life. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding that I may learn the uses to which Thou hast destined me. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. For the Recovery of Another Almighty and Everliving God, I most heartily thank Thee for that Thou hast been pleased to conduct in safety my dear through the valley of the shadow of death. Great is Thy mercy, O Lord, and full of loving kindness are Thy ways. May our hearts be filled with an abiding gratitude and may the rest of our lives be spent in loyal service. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. For a Much-Desired Blessing1 Most Gracious God, I am not worthy of the blessing which has brought new joy into my life. Thou hast granted me my heart's desire and hast not denied me the request of my lips. Add, I pray Thee, this further blessing to the other the gift of a heart so deeply sen sible of Thy loving kindness that my life may bear witness to the reality of my gratitude. I ask it for the sake of Thy Son, Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 1 As, for example, an election to the captaincy of a team, or to some other office; or success in some school or college competition. |