PRAYERS FOR THE MORNING.

O LORD, my heavenly Father, who hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day: defend me through the same by thy mighty power, and grant that I may neither fall into sin, nor run into any kind of danger. May all my words and doings be ordered agreeably to thy holy will; and my heart be pure and acceptable in thy sight! May it please thee to give such success, as thou seest to be best for me, to my labours and pursuits; to bless my friends; to do good unto all men; and to raise them and me to thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, the gracious Preserver of the children of men! accept the thanks of thy servant for the continual protection of thy Providence. When I retire to rest, thou coverest me with the shades of the evening; and, when I arise, thou visitest me with the day-spring from on high. Thy blessing is ever upon me, and day and night thy loving-kindness follows me. Enable me to be duly and habitually sensible of what I owe to thee, and to rely upon thy care. I devote myself to thy service, and rejoice that my times are

in thy hand. Help me, while I live, to live to thee; that, when I die, I may die to thee, and feel happy in the assurance of thy mercy and the hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

O GOD, by whose gracious Providence I have been preserved through the past night, and am risen this morning with the free use of my rational faculties, and in the enjoyment of the blessings of life: I look up to thee as my highest benefactor and friend, and thank thee for the goodness which I have experienced, when unconscious of my being, and incapable of guarding against danger and death. I humbly commit myself to thy protection this day, beseeching thee to defend me from evil, and to give me those blessings which I need. Above all, be pleased, merciful Father, to pardon my errors; and assist me to shun temptation, to watch over my passions, to govern my tongue, to keep myself innocent and undefiled, and cheerfully to do that which is pleasing unto thee, Hear my prayer, and accept of me according to the covenant of thy love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

GOD of my life, another night has passed away; and I arise from death-like insensibility to new existence. Whether I sleep or am awake, I am encircled by thy mighty arms, and share thy love. Thou hast preserved my breath; thou inspirest me with new vigour; and hou callest me to new enjoyments. To thee my spirit ascends on the wings of devotion and gratitude, and consecrates all its powers and faculties. What may I not hope for from thee, who continually watchest over me, and who hast not even spared thy wellbeloved Son, but hast given him up freely for the children of men?

Animated by this confidence, I desire to go on my way rejoicing, to accomplish with cheerfulness whatever thou cailest .ne to do, and to bear with patience whatever thou appointest me to suffer. This day, too, Father, thou wilt in mercy direct and help thy feeble child, proportion my strength to my duties and trials, and lead me in that path which thou knowest to be good for me. Let this persuasion support my soul, and enable me to entertain an habitual regard to thee. I am thine, by the strongest ties; and thine may I remain in life and in death, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, my Saviour. Amen.

2.

PRAYERS FOR THE EVENING.

ALMIGHTY God, thou hast bestowed upon me innumerable benefits, and hast added to all thy former mercies the safety and happiness which I have this day enjoyed. Forgive, I beseech thee, whatever may have been wrong in my feelings, conversation, or deportment; and fill me with an ardent solicitude to serve thee faithfully in the time that may yet remain. I commit myself and all my friends to thy gracious protection this night, reposing the confidence of my soul on thy Providence. After having renewed my strength by a peaceful repose, may I return to the duties of life with a steadfast resolution to do all thy will with diligence; that, when my days on earth shall be numbered, I may be received into thine eternal rest and joy, through thy blessed Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, my heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: I raise my soul

to thee, entreating thee to keep me continually under thy care. If it seem good in thy sight. grant me the blessing of quiet sleep; that I may arise in the morning in health, to labour in thy service and live in thy fear. Let it please thee to lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, and to give me peace both now and evermore. Amen.

O GOD, my great Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor! I approach thee with the grateful acknowledgments of my heart for the mercies, by which I have been cheered and blessed this day. Whatever share of happiness I possess, whatever measure of prosperity I enjoy; to thee belongs the praise, and to thine unmerited favour alone I ascribe it. With whatever neglect, imperfection, and transgression of duty, I am chargeable; I take the shame of them to myself, and sincerely repent of them. Forgive me, I beseech thee, Parent of mercies, upon the gracious terms of thy gospel; and implant a right spirit within me. Vouchsafe to take me, and all in whom I am concerned, into thy care and protection through this night; and lead us, and the whole human family, in the paths of thy good Providence, to everlasting life and happiness, through thine infinite love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD of compassion! with what velocity all my days speed their flight and vanish away! how few are the traces which they leave behind! what is my exist ence on earth, but a dream, from which I shall awake with joy or terror, to a new and never-ending life!

I will lay me down, and sleep in peace; for thou, O Lord, makest me to dwell in safety. Thou continually upholdest, and showerest down blessings upon me, and comfortest my soul in sorrow. All the successive periods of my pilgrimage are distinguished

by the proofs of thy benevolence and mercy. O that they may also be distinguished by numerous proofs of my gratitude and obedience to thee! O that I may sleep in Jesus, when my last hour shall arrive, with the same composure with which I lie down upon my bed; with a mind, free from the stings and reproaches of guilt, conscious of inward sincerity and rectitude, firmly relying upon the promises sealed with my Saviour's blood, trusting through him in thy forbearance and paternal love, and rejoicing in the prospect of that blissful immortality which he brought to light!

My heavenly Father, establish thou this wish in my soul; make it the chief principle and motive of all I think, and say, and do; help me to revive and strengthen it every morning and evening. Make me perfect in every good work; and to thy name be all the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR A YOUNG PERSON. ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, who hast called me into being, that I might enjoy thy bounty here, and be prepared for everlasting happiness hereafter! I look up to thee, the source of every blessing, beseeching thee to guide, to support, and strengthen me. Surrounded with dangers, to whom should I apply for succour but to thee, who hast promised, that those who seek thee early and diligently shall find thee? O help me habitually to remember thee, my Creator, Benefactor, Redeemer, and Judge. Impress on my mind that reverence of thee, which is the beginning of wisdom. Dispose me to value, as I ought, the religion of thy blessed Son, and to make his doctrine and example my only directory and rule.