IN TIME OF DEARTH AND FAMINE.

GOD, heavenly Father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, and the earth bring forth her increase, behold, we beseech Thee, the afflictions of Thy people; increase the fruits of the earth by Thy heavenly benediction; and grant that the scarcity and dearth which we now most justly suffer for our sins, may, through Thy goodness, be mercifully turned into plenty, for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

IN TIME OF WAR AND TUMULTS.

ALMIGHTY GOD, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent, save and deliver us, we humbly beseech Thee, from the hands of our enemies; that we, being armed with Thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify Thee, who art the only Giver of all victory, through the merits of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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IN TIME OF CIVIL WAR.

LMIGHTY and eternal God, King of kings and Lord of lords, by whose will nations are cast down or stand, we humble ourselves before Thy Divine Majesty, in this our national distress and trouble. We confess our unworthiness and guilt in Thy sight, and the justice of this visitation of Thy wrath. Fervently we implore Thy forgiveness and succor. Uphold, we beseech Thee, the government of this land by Thy mighty power. Give wisdom and strength to all in authority over us, that by their efforts, upheld by Thy power and blessing, this Republic May Ever Be Preserved. Grant that truth, justice, and patriotism may triumph. Stay the progress of intestine war and insurrection. Restore to our country union, prosperity, and peace, and grant that all of us, humbled and improved by Thine afflicting hand, may henceforth strive more faithfully to serve Thee here on earth, and may finally attain to everlasting life hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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FOR THOSE EXPOSED TO DANGER.

LMIGHTY God, the Saviour of all men, we humbly commend to Thy tender care and sure protection, Thy servants who have

gone forth at the call of their country, to defend its government, and to protect us in our property and homes. Let Thy fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, be over them; let Thy Holy Spirit be with them; let Thy good angels have charge of them; with Thy loving-kindness defend them as with a shield, and either bring them out of their peril in safety, with a heart to show forth Thy praises forever, or else sustain them with that glorious hope, by which alone Thy servants can have victory in suffering and death; through the sole merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

IN TIME OF GREAT SICKNESS AND MORTALITY.

MOST

OST gracious Father and God, who hast promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn to Thee, look down, we beseech Thee, from heaven Thy dwelling-place, upon us Thy unworthy servants, who, under an awful apprehension of Thy judgments, and a deep conviction of our sinfulness, prostrate ourselves before Thee. Have pity, O Lord, have pity upon us, and withdraw from us the grievous sickness with which we are visited for our sins. We confess with shame and contrition that in the pride and hardness of our hearts we have shown ourselves unthankful for Thy mercies, and have followed our own inclinations instead of Thy holy laws: yet, O merciful Father, cast us not away in displeasure, but give time for consideration and repentance, so that, receiving Thy fatherly correction with meekness, and turning from our evil ways, we may be preserved by Thy mighty protection, both in body and soul; through the merits of our only Mediator and Advocate Jesus Christ. Amen.

Or this:

ALMIGHTY God, who by the many instances of mortality which encompass us on every side, and by the warning, now especially urged upon us, of our exposure to the sudden stroke of death, dost call upon us seriously to consider the shortness of our time here upon earth, and remindest us that in the midst of life we are in death, so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Give us grace to turn unto Thee with timely repentance, and thus to obtain, through the merits of our Saviour, that pardon to-day, for which to-morrow it may be too late to seek; that

so being strengthened by Thy good Spirit against the terrors of death, and daily advancing in faith and godliness, we may at all times be ready to give up our souls into Thy hands, O gracious Father, in the hope of a blessed immortality; through the mediation and by the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this:

GOD, who at the prayer of David Thy servant didst stay the hand of the destroying angel, when it was lifted up against Jerusalem, and on the repentance of Nineveh, didst spare that sinful city; vouchsafe, in like manner, to bow down Thine ear to our prayer, and to accept our repentance. Withdraw Thy chastisements from us, O Lord, and whilst Thou preservest our bodies from disease, so cleanse our hearts from all sinful affections, that, evermore striving to please Thee in newness of life, we may by Thee be defended from all evil; for the sake of Thy ever-blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this:

ALMIGHTY God, the Lord of life and death, of sickness and health, regard our supplications, we humbly beseech Thee; and as Thou hast thought fit to visit us for our sins with great sickness and mortality, in the midst of Thy judgment, O Lord, remember mercy. Have pity upon us miserable sinners, and withdraw from us the grievous sickness with which we are afflicted. May this Thy fatherly correction have its due influence upon us, by leading us to consider how frail and uncertain our life is; that we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which in the end will bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR MALEFACTORS, AFTER CONDEMNATION.

Or else the Prayer in the Visitation of Prisoners, beginning, “O Father of Mercies," etc., may be used.

MOST gracious and merciful God, we earnestly beseech Thee to have pity and compassion upon those persons recommended to our prayers, who now lie under the sentence of the law, and are appointed to die. Visit them, O Lord, with Thy mercy and salvation; convince them of the miserable condition they are in, by their sins and wickedness; and let Thy powerful grace produce in them such a godly sorrow, and sincere repentance, as Thou wilt be pleased

to accept. Give them a strong and lively faith in Thy Son, our blessed Saviour, and make it effectual to the salvation of their souls. O Lord, in judgment remember mercy; and whatever sufferings they are to endure in this world, yet deliver them, O God, from the bitter pains of eternal death. Pardon their sins, and save their souls, for the sake and merits of Thy dear Son, our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Prayers for Ministers and Congregations.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE TO BE ADMITTED INTO HOLY ORDERS.

AL

LMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to Thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of Thy dear Son; mercifully look upon the same, and so guide and govern the minds of Thy servants, the pastors of Thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred ministry of Thy Church. And, to those who shall be ordained to any holy function, give Thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth Thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR A MINISTER.

HOLY JESUS, who hast purchased to Thyself an universal Church, and hast promised to be with Thy ministers to the end of the world, be graciously pleased to bless the ministry and service of him who is appointed to offer the sacrificès of prayer and praise to Thee in this house, which is called by Thy name. May the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart, be always acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen.

MOST

Or this:

OST gracious God, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, give Thy grace, we beseech Thee, to Thy servant, to whom the charge of this congregation is committed, and so replenish him with

the truth of Thy doctrine, and endue him with innocency of life, that he may faithfully serve before Thee, to the glory of Thy great name, and the benefit of Thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

A MINISTER'S PRAYER FOR HIMSELF AND BRETHREN.

LORD our God, we are not worthy that Thou shouldest come under our roof; yet Thou hast honored Thy servants with appointing them to serve in Thy holy place. To Thee and to Thy service may we devote ourselves, soul, body, and spirit, with all our powers and faculties. Fill our memories with the words of Thy law, enlighten our understandings with the illumination of the Holy Ghost, and may all the wishes and desires of our hearts centre in what Thou hast commanded. And, to make us instrumental in promoting the salvation of the people committed to our charge, grant that we may faithfully administer Thy holy ordinances, and, by our life and doctrine, set forth Thy true and lively word. Be ever with us in the performance of all the duties of our ministry; in prayer, to quicken our devotion; in praises, to heighten our love and gratitude; and in preaching, to give a readiness of thought and expression suitable to the clearness and excellency of Thy holy word. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Saviour. Amen.

FOR A CONGREGATION.

GOD, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, visit, we pray Thee, this congregation with Thy love and favor; enlighten their minds more and more with the light of the everlasting gospel; graft in their hearts a love of the truth; increase in them true religion; nourish them with all goodness; and, of Thy great mercy, keep them in the same, O blessed Spirit, whom, with the Father and the Son together, we worship and glorify as one God, world without end. Amen.

Or this:

ALMIGHTY God, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone, grant that, by the operation of the