For health or any other blessing.

O THOU first and best of Beings! We thank thee that the voice of health and peace is heard in our habitation! Imploring thy favour for the future, and acknowledging thy goodness in all the various blessings bestowed on us; we would particularly offer thee our fervent thanks for the recent and important blessing which fills our hearts with joy. For the pleasure it yields, for the relief it affords, and for the circumstances of comfort it brings, accept, O Father, our heartfelt praise. While thy smiles are upon us, may we remember that our strength is from thee, and that when thou withdrawest thy face, we are troubled. O may thy goodness lead us to thee; and may we rejoice as though we rejoiced not, considering that the fashion of this world passeth away.

11*

FAMILY PRAYERS ADAPTED TO PARTICULAR

TIMES.

At the close of the

year.

ETERNAL Jehovah ! In thee we live, and move, and have our being. In thy hand is our breath; it is because thou hast sustained us that we have continued to this day. With praise to thee, the God of our lives, we come into thy presence, and worship at thy footstool. Thou art the unfailing Source of mercy. Thou didst bring us into this world, and place us in this probationary state. Thou shielded us from every danger, during the exposures of infancy; and every day have we tasted that the Lord is gracious. We fed upon thy bounties, before we knew thee to be the giver of every good and perfect gift. Thou hast helped us in all our troubles. Often hast thou healed our diseases, removed our sorrows, and renewed our strength. Thy candle has shined upon our dwelling; thy love has nourished us, and thy smiles have gladdened our hearts. Whilst many have been cut down and passed into an awful eternity, we

are yet numbered with the living. How many can we remember, who have, during the last year, laid down in the grave! Through the riches of thy long suffering and forbearance, thou art continuing us in a state of trial, giving us space for repentance, and favouring us with thy holy Gospel, and with all necessary means of grace and reformation.

God of compassion! take not thy spirit from us. Continue to us thy heavenly blessings. Prepare us for future changes in our condition, and let them be sanctified to our truest interest and happiness. We commit ourselves to thy care; we devote ourselves to thy service; we refer all events concerning us, to thine infinite wisdom and fatherly goodness. Lead us seasonably to consider the things that belong to our peace. Give us realizing views of death, and a judgment to come. Enable us to depart from the world, when thou shalt call us away, with tranquillity and comfort of mind, exempt from the terrors of guilt; and bring us to the enjoyment of thy favour in the realms of light and glory, through the mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

At the beginning of the year.

O THOU art the same from everlasting to everlasting! God of the spirits of all flesh ! Preserver of the children of men! hear in mercy thy servants who raise their hearts unto thee. We acknowledge, that, in seasons past, we have often been too earnest about the things of sense and time, too regardless of the objects of faith and futurity. We confess, we have too often walked in a vain show, and disquieted ourselves in vain. We cannot deny that we have been oftentimes undutiful and unthankful. Wouldst thou judge without mercy, we should be utterly destitute of hope. Wouldst thou deal with us according to our sins, we should be miserable indeed. But we rejoice that thou desirest not the ruin of thy creatures, but rather that they should repent and live. It is our desire, O God, to cast off all the unfruitful works of darkness, and to walk as children of the light and of the day. It is our purpose that this year shall witness our greater reformation from every thing that is amiss in us, and our interesting improvement in the graces of the christian character.

If it be consistent with the purposes of thy inscrutable wisdom, we pray, O Lord! that our

lives may be spared; not merely that we may enjoy an animal existence, but that we may be furnished with an opportunity of doing and becoming better. We commit all our concerns to thee; and would submit to those circumstances, which thou, who alone knowest what is best for us, shalt ordain. If thou wilt, we desire the continuance of health and comfort. If thou shouldst send sickness or adversity to us, may we be prepared for these and all other changes of our situation. If it be thy decree, that this year any of us should die, may we be ready for our departure. We dare not say we will do this or that; but we would cherish one resolution, to become and always to be such as thou shalt be pleased to approve.

Heavenly Father! do thou preserve us from every injurious delay. Let not the night of darkness, in which no man can work, overtake us unawares. Forbid that we should ever presume on life, or boast of tomorrow, or be immoderately attached to earthly things. May we always do with diligence what thou shalt appoint us to perform. If death shall approach us by slow advances, may it find us well employed; and if we are suddenly called to exchange worlds, may it not be our lot, to have treasured up fear and remorse.