The Sum of Christianity, Prayers
Short Prayers for any Hour of the Day.
I.
ALmighty God, grant I beseech thee, That I being regenerate, and made thy Child by Adoption and Grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit. And because through my Sins I am sore let and hindred in running the Race that is set before me; let thy bountiful Grace and Mercy speedily help me, that I may cast away the Works of Darkness, and put on the Armour of Light. Moritify and kill all Vices in me, and so strengthen me by thy Grace, that by the Innocence of my Life, and constancy of my Faith even unto Death, I may glorify thy Holy Name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
II.
O Gracious Lord, create and make in me a new and contrite Heart, that worthily lamenting my Sins, and acknowledging my wretchedness, I may obtain of thee, the God of all Mercy, perfect Remission and Forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant me the true Circumcision of the Spirit, that my Heart, and all my Members being mortified from all Worldly and Carnal Lusts, I may in all things obey thy blessed Will. Grant that I may both perceive and know what things I ought to do, and also may have Grace and Power faithfully to fulfil the same. Grant to me such Strength and Protection, as may support me in all Dangers, and carry me through all Temptations: That I who know thee now by Faith, may after this life have the Fruition of thy Glorious Godhead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
III.
GRant, O most Gracious God unto me and all men, Grace so to put away the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness, that we may serve thee in pureness of Living, and Truth. Pour into our Hearts the most excellent Gift of Charity, the Bond of Peace, and of all Virtues, without which whosoever liveth, is counted Dead before thee. Subdue our Flesh to the Spirit, that we may ever obey thy godly Motion… in Righteousness and true Holiness. 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 and hurt the Soul. Grant unto all that are admitted into the Fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew all those things that are contrary to their Profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
IV.
O Lord, from whom all good things do come, grant to me and all thy People, that by thy Holy Inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same That we may love the thing which thou command…st, and desire that which thou dost promise, and fix our hearts where true Joys are to be found. Grant us by thy Holy Spirit to have a right Judgment in all things, and let us not be carried away with every blast of Vain Doctrine, but be established in the Truth of thy Holy Gospel. And grant to the help of thy Grace, that in keeping thy Commandments we may please thee both in Will and Deed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
V.
O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head Corner-stone: Grant us so to be joyned together in Unity of Spirit by their Doctrine, that we may be made an Holy Temple acceptable unto thee. Keep, I beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual Mercy; let thy continual Pity cleanse and defend it; and because it cannot continue in safety without thy Succor, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness. Grant 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, that through thy Protection it may be free from all Adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good Works, to the Glory of thy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
VI.
O Lord of all Power and Might, graft in our Hearts the love and fear of thy Name; increase in us true Religion; nourish us with all Goodness; give unto us the increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity; give us Grace to withstand the Temptations of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and with pure Hearts and Minds to follow thee the only God. Let our Faith in thy sight never be reproved: Grant us Grace to forsake all covetous Desires, and inordinate Love of Riches; and help us so to pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things Eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake our Lord. Amen.
VII.
PRevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious Favour, and further us with thy continual Help, that in all our Works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy Holy Name. Dispose, O Lord, the way of thy Servants towards the attainment of everlasting Salvation; direct, sanctify, and govern both our Hearts and Bodies in the ways of thy Laws, and in the Works of thy Commandmen…s; that among all the changes and chances of this Mortal Life, we may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready Help, and preserved in Body and Soul, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his Face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his Countenance upon us, and give us Peace both now and evermore. Amen.
O Saviour of the World, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeem'd us, save us, and help us, I humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
FINIS.