Prayers for the quiet hour

Preface

THROUGH personal experience and through my conversations with those who regularly keep the " Quiet Hour " I am led to believe that, next to the Bible and to voluntary prayer, great help is afforded by simple prayers which can be read, and mentally prayed as read, in connection with the worship of the individual soul. Often the mind is too confused or weary to frame its own desires and emotions. Often the spirit needs a suggestion that shall lift it up towards God, and often the words of another who has had a common experience and struggle can bring peace when all else seems to fail. There are many books of prayers published, some of them most excellent, but they are largely a compilation of ancient prayers or collects, which, though beautiful, do not quite touch the needs and emotions of 5

6 Preface

modern life. Therefore this little book is sent out with the belief, the hope, and the prayer that it may be of service in making the " Quiet Hour " real and blessed.

These prayers were prayed as they were written. They are not literary productions, but the real and deep expression of the writer's feelings as he approached his Master. All of them have appeared in connection with Christian Endeavor meetings. Many of them were published in the Christian Endeavor World, and some in articles written on the u Topics " for the Philadelphia Public Ledger.

The writer would suggest their being freely used as a part of the morning and evening devotion. It was at first suggested that one prayer should be given for each day in the year, but this seemed to run the risk of formality. For the same reason headings or titles are only generally used, as the prayers are the simple outpouring of a hungry heart to a loving Christ. The use of them is best left to the Christian as he has need, and feels the cry of his heart satisfied.

Preface 7

May God graciously bless this little book to the comforting and strengthening of the dear Comrades of the Quiet Hour.

Floyd W. Tomkins.

Grouping of Prayers

I. Prayers of Aspiration

II. Confession of Sin and Weakness

III. Prayers of Consecration

IV. Prayers for Strength

V. Prayers for Faith

VI. Prayers for Peace

VII. Prayers for Grace

VIII. Prayers for ^Iappiness

IX. Prayers Regarding the Bible

X. Prayers for Church and Public

Worship

XI. Prayers for Home

XII. Prayers for Our Country .

XIII. Prayers for Missions .

XIV. Prayers for Special Occasions ii

59 109

137 149

181 189

*95

I

DEAR GOD of love, my Friend, my Master, my King, my Christ, wilt Thou not grant me this greatest and best of gifts, even Thine own nature ? Thou alone canst give it, and it is dear to me because it comes from Thee. O, in the ways of my life which are often strange and hard, wilt Thou not cause Thy love to shine forth, that I may see and understand ? Come and breathe over the past, and wash away all that I tremble to remember, all the follies and failures of past years. Inspire me with courage that I may do my work and live my life for Thee and by Thee, whether men praise or blame. And make me, Thou Christ of love, a victor in

J 3 the battle, a conqueror in the strife, a child of Thine having but one allegiance and one desire, but one end and one purpose, that I may love Thee as Thou hast loved me. And may Thy love so work in me and by me that the world may profit by my life, and the hearts of men be drawn to Thee. I ask it for Thine own dear sake. Amen.

Dear Saviour, lead Thou me on. Take the past and purify and bless it. Guide me into the future, and help me to meet its needs and its calls bravely. Step by step, hour by hour, may I walk with Thee. And if I lose sight of Thee through any peril or sin, still do Thou hold me fast, and keep me, until I enter that home where time shall be no more. Amen.

Dear King, bring me to Thy holy hill and to Thy dwelling ! I turn my back on sin. I ask Thee to draw me from those who care not for Thee, for I know I must be separate. Open my eyes that I may see the way. Bind me yet more closely to those who are journeying with me, and let us encourage one another. And at last open the gate — nay, my King, for Thou art the gate and the light — open Thine arms, and take me and my dear fellow strugglers in ; and we shall all be safe and happy forever. Amen and amen.

Dear Lord, I thank Thee for Thy love, a love so great that it can touch the heart and purify the life. Help me to love Thee much since Thou hast forgiven me much, And may my love for Thee be the comfort and inspiration of all my days. For Thine own dear sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, I love Thy kingdom. I know it has not yet gained the victory, but I am ready to help in bringing the victory. O, take me and make me ready and earnest, loyal and loving. What a dear King Thou art, O Christ! I love Thee ! I love Thee ! Help me in my study of life. Help me when at last the graduation comes and I am a master. And, dear Jesus, I pray Thee lead men to know Thee and all the blessedness of Thy kingdom, so that they too may enter, and call Thee their King, and learn the sweet mysteries of Thy service. Amen.

Blessed Lord and God of us all, upon Thee would we build, and upon Thy love would we stand immovable. We praise Thee for the safety and the help which come from the knowledge of Thy eternal steadfastness. O Thou blessed rock, Thou mountain fastness, Thou eternal refuge, Thou headstone of the corner, let me press and cling and trust to Thee. Thy love can never fail. Thy mercy, O Christ, is as the dew. May all my works be founded on Thee; may my life grow up from Thee ; may I always be Thine. Amen.

Ah, dear Lord, I cannot live unless I pray. Teach me to pray. Teach me how to talk to Thee and find in Thee all I need and all I long for. Thou art ever near, and to be alone with Thee, who only canst un-

derstand, is peace. Thou art loving, and Thy love calms me when I am anxious and full of unrest. Thou art my only help, and from Thee alone comes the forgiveness which my soul craves. Open Thine arms, and receive me. Let not my faults cause Thy love to grow cold ; let not my ignorance cause Thy pity to change to impatience. And let me never seek to find peace and comfort anywhere or in anything save at Thy feet. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

My dear God, how my heart goes out to Thee with praises that I cannot utter ! The thought of Thy watchful care, of Thine unceasing guidance, is almost beyond expression. I know how Thou dost love me, and I know, too, that Thy love is so big and great that it takes me up and recreates me. O, make me to act bravely even as I trust implicitly. Show me more and more Thy will and Thy way, that I may find it easy to understand how Thou art leading me. Even in darkness may I rejoice because I know Thou art making me a man through the stress of experience, and may the knowledge of Thy never-failing care give me a calm courage and a brave endurance which shall make me persevere to the very end. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear King, at last to reign victorious over a perfect world, come near and give me comfort and inspiration. Though the way be long and the conflict fierce, let me not fall or falter. Though I die without the sight, yet, I beseech Thee, let the seed I sow in tears bring sometime and somewhere a harvest. Fill my work with Thy loving power. Make me love men as Thou didst and still dost love them. Keep ever before me the vision of righteousness. Then I can bear the struggle, however hard and long, for I know Thou wilt not fail at last to bring peace. Amen, Lord Jesus, amen.

Blessed forever be Thy holy name, O my King and my God, for all Thou art to me and for all Thou hast done for me. I thank Thee for life and work, for friends and for religion. Thou art good indeed to Thy child. But, Jesus, my best friend, I thank Thee most for the things which are hard, for the lonely way and for the aching heart ; I know they mean most for me here and hereafter. Help me to love Thee and trust Thee always. And then let me join in the endless praise which at last shall roll around Thy throne as Thy children with open eyes see at last how Thou hast loved with a wonderful love. Amen.

Lord, I know not how to pray. My sins oppress me, and my ignorance frightens me, and my weakness holds me back. Yet I come and throw myself at Thy feet, knowing that in spite of my sins and ignorance and weakness Thou wilt open Thine arms and welcome me. Let me rest near Thee for a while until I am quiet from these earthly alarms and free from these human fears. Take me, dear Jesus, not because I am worthy, — for I am most unworthy, — but because I am Thy child. Didst Thou not die for me ? Hast Thou not redeemed me with Thy precious blood ? Hast Thou not given me a new name, which only Thou and I can know ? I would fain lie here and just look into Thy dear face, and call Thee Jesus, my Friend, my Saviour, my Christ Bless me, O bless me, that I may live and not die. Amen.

Blessed Christ, how Thou dost arouse my desires by the sweetness of Thy message ! Can there be anything dearer than to love Thee, and to know that Thou dost love me ? O, let me live for Thee. May nothing hide Thee from me, but may all Thy gifts to me sound a harmony in which Thy name shall be praised and Thy goodness to Thy children be told. Amen.

Dear Lord, I love Thee, I love Thee ! And I love Thee more for all the beauties of Thy world which tell of Thee. And I love Thee most for that Thou didst live on this earth and didst die amidst its flowers that I might enter the life which knows no ending. O, make me rejoice in the redeemed life which through Thee I now live. Teach me how endless and how ever more glorious my life is to be. Unite me with the tenderest of ties to my friends, since we are never to be separated ; and in all the beauty of this redeemed earth let me see Thee and hear Thy voice. Amen, my Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Dear Lord, into Thy presence I come, and the sounds of earth's confusion grow dim, and the fears and pains of the struggle are forgotten, for I am alone with Thee. Help me to stand alone for Thee in the midst of the battle as well, and to know no will but Thine. Grant me courage and knowledge, that I may gain strength and power. And by whatsoever means it may please Thee to use, draw me into the secret of Thy peace. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Lord of nature, who hast made the flowers to praise and proclaim Thee, make me through their sweetness to see and know Thee better. Let me trust Thee to provide for me. Let me seek the beauty which Thy goodness nestling in my heart alone can give. Teach me from the multitude of lives to know Thine infinite care for each single life. And O, let me read a message, not of sadness, but of gladness, in the withering flower, which dies but for a while, and then comes back with a new song as from Thy very throne to tell me of Thy undying love. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

O dear Lord, Thou art my all in all. To Thee I look ever for aid and blessing. With Thee I leave my past, to forgive and to finish ; in Thy hand I trust my future, for Thou knowest best. Only, O Father, keep me day by day near to Thyself until my last hour, and then take me to live with Thee, where years never end, and where night never comes. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear King of glory, let me see Thy glory now, even while I am on earth. Open my senses to all the pure joys which are now mine and which, because Thou dost send them, tell me of Thy care. Help me to bring this dear world back to Thee, for Thou dost love it. Speak to me, for I know Thou art ever near, though these eyes of flesh are holden that I cannot see Thee. And show me how to find heaven on earth while I see the goodness and mercy that follow me and surround me. So shall I be fitted at last to go up higher and see Thee face to face. Amen, Lord Jesus, amen.

Dear Lord of all men, in the love of Thy fatherhood let me learn the law of brotherhood. And in dealing with men, O teach me how to represent Thee on earth worthily and lovingly. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, teach me how to worship in spirit and in truth. I am human and know not how to approach Thee as Thou shouldst be approached. And yet I cannot fear, for Thou lookest at my heart and dost know how sincere I am. Teach me to be silent and to listen for Thy voice. Teach me to be unselfish and forget myself in the needs of others. Teach me to be consistent, that my life may be as earnest as my prayers. And 0, let me open my emotions with all my strength before Thee, that I may find rest in tears and songs alike, and know peace in answer to the crying hunger of my soul. Hear me, my Christ, in spite of all my failures, and bring me near to Thyself, and keep me there forever. Amen.

How wonderful is Thy love for Thine erring and foolish child, O Christ ! It led Thee to die for me. It leads Thee to live in my life. It shines like the sunlight around me, and it glows like fire in my soul. I am Thy child ! That is enough for me. Unworthy though I am of Thy care and interest ; forgetful though I must be M since I am human, of Thy power ; yet will I rest me in Thy comfort and find my peace in Thy goodness. Only, dear Jesus let me not be content in Thy mercy without an effort to lead others to Thee. May my trust in Thee and Thine help given to me make me most diligent to reflect Thy glory upon the dark ways of the world.

May Thy care for me make me care for others, and Thy redeeming pity turn my heart to merciful dealings amongst my fellows. For Thine own dear sake. Amen.

Dear Lord of heaven and earth and sea, I thank Thee for the waters which surround the world and for the glory of the ocean. It is Thine, for Thou hast made it, and Thou rulest its waves and in the storm speakest, " Peace, be still," to its ragings, and the stillness comes. Teach me, dear Friend, how Thou dost unite Thy children to each other and to Thyself. Let Thy friendship make me glad, and Thy goodness cause me to know Thee. And O, as Thou art ever so loyal to me, Thine unworthy child, so make me loyal to Thee forever. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, I thank Thee for all Thou art, and all Thou hast ever done and art still doing. For all the good things that come to me, for all the experiences of my life, whether of sunshine or shadow, for all the better things I anticipate, I bless Thee with my whole heart. Make my gratitude, dear Jesus, a part of my nature, so that I may in everything give thanks, and know that, however disguised the gifts of Thy love may be, they are still always from Thee and filled with Thy dear truth. Amen.

Dear Lord of life, my glorious Christ, before whom angels now sing in joy because of Thy victory over sin and death, teach me how to rest in Thy way, and make me new in strength and courage through the many dear things which Thou dost grant me. Make me Thine indeed, that so my happiness may be well grounded. Help me to be glad, that I may work better for Thee. Guard me from false delights, and bring me nearer to Thyself in all that Thou givest of sunshine and cheer, so that, as Thou didst pass from the cries of " Hosanna " to the shouts of " Crucify/' and yet didst not falter, so I may pass through life's trials without fear because Thy light is on them all. For the sake of Thy dying love I ask this, my Jesus. Amen.

Dear Lord, King of nations, who makest the heathen to praise Thee, turn my face toward Thee, the Sun of righteousness, and let Thy dear face lighten my darkness. Give me hope and energy and love, that I may draw near to Thee and hear Thee even when the billows roll and the night is dark. For, as Thou dost call the peoples of the earth to new light, so I know Thou dost call me from the loneliness of error to the peace of Thy presence. Let me never lose sight of Thee, my King and my Sun ; but draw me even unto the gates of gold and the haven of rest. Amen.

Dear Lord, wise Master-builder, chief worker of all, let me learn how to glorify Thee in my daily toil. Make me responsible and prompt, honest and systematic, in all that I do. Speak to me as I toil, lest I forget that Thou art near. Fill me with the joy of work, that joy which comes from knowing I am working for Thee and that Thou art working with me. Let me never grow tired or sad, but keep me hopeful and earnest, so that I may be amongst those who at last, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, shall serve Thee day and night in Thy temple. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear Father, my Father, the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, make me truly Thy child in spirit and in love, that I may with a clear heart know Thee in this Thy divine relationship to me. Let me be ashamed to be afraid of Thee or to doubt Thee. Let me rejoice in Thy holiness and Thy love, that I may share therein. Teach me Thy power and Thy fellowship, that I may not tremble in loneliness or in battle. And when at last Thou dost call me to come nearer, then let Thy Son and my Saviour take me by the hand and lead me to Thee as His redeemed one. For His sake I ask it. Amen.

Dear God, my life, my days, my work, are Thine. Thou hast made me, and given me my years to live and my work to do. O, as I end each period of my life, and pass each landmark that proves Thy love, and note each mile-stone that brings me nearer home, let me be fired with ever new enthusiasm and vigor and devotion. May I work for Thee and journey towards Thee. May I seek to bring humanity and the world to Thee, and declare ever Thy truth. May my daily steps be joyful steps as I look upward and follow Thee, my blessed Leader. And at last, O dear Christ, at last may I enter Thy kingdom, and find time swallowed up in eternity, as I kneel before Thee and go no more out. Amen. Amen.

O my dear Friend, my Maker, my Father, my Christ, I thank Thee that I, a poor human child, can commune with Thee, the infinite God. How dear is Thy presence ! How precious are Thy words ! How glorious is Thy worship ! How constant Thy love ! Let my heart rest upon Thee always. In the hurry and worry of my life call me near to Thee that I may have peace. In the pressure of temptation flood Thy glorious light about me that the sin may flee away. In the hours of my loneliness let my ears be quick to hear Thy tender message, and in the days when my pain is great and my agony bitter, touch me, that I may know Thee near. And at last let the spiritual within me burn out the carnal, that I may indeed be changed, and wake up eternally after Thy likeness. For Thine own dear sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, I love Thee, I worship Thee, I praise Thee, I give thanks to Thee for all Thou art and for all Thou hast ever been to me. Nothing but praise can touch my lips when I think of all Thou hast said and done ; nothing but thanks can find speech when I hear to what Thou dost call me. I thank Thee for my life, that Thou didst call me out of space to exist forever as Thine own son. I thank Thee for friendships which bind Thy children together and make them one in love and service. I thank Thee for my work, that I may share Thy great creative power and enter into the fulness of the mystery of Thy holy toil. I thank Thee above all else for the revelation of Thyself to me, so that I can know Thee and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. O may my heart this day be glad, even though perchance clouds and darkness may for a moment shadow me. Make me to be grateful because Thou dost call me to live for Thee. May my living create my praise, my life be one with my gratitude. And, dear Lord, as I see Thee, and hear Thee, and realize more and more Thy goodness, may my nature grow into the purity of Thy nature, and my heart be knit to Thine. For Jesus 1 sake. Amen.

O blessed Spirit, I thank Thee for Thy guidance. Through the conflict and confusion of life Thou dost so quietly lead that I almost lose sight of Thee in the glory of the vision which Thou dost give me. Help me more and more to know my dear Lord. Open to me the very depths of the works of my God, that I may see Him and His love and His wisdom. Reveal in the dearest of books those rich things which shall make me a very part of my Father, entering into His counsel and knowing His truth. Teach me, O blessed Spirit, the secret of obedience, that no law or fear may compel me, but only the love of Him who thus asks me to draw near to Him. And may my life grow calm and rich and full and free through this divine friendship, so that I may walk with my God in peace and strength. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

My best Friend, in whose friendship all other friendships become possible, I pray Thee teach me how to love. May the tenderness and the constancy of my affection prove that it is from Thee. May its generous strength and its power to exalt impress with its divine nature. And O, whether I have many friends or few on earth, let me count Thee as my Friend, dear Lord, and seek, through Thee, to help and bless men everywhere. Amen.

Dear, dear Lord, my strength, my stay, my comfort, how could I live without Thee, and how could I do anything unless Thou didst help me ? I bless and praise Thee, dear Father, for Thy goodness. O, may I rely upon Thee more. Make me to realize my own emptiness, that Thou mayest fill me with Thine own might. Let me trust Thee always and everywhere, that I may never hurt Thee by doubts or fears. And make me to rejoice in Thy love, that out of this human living may burst the divine living which sings Thy praises unceasingly. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, I would worship Thee, and Thee only. Take away all that seeks to usurp Thy place in my heart and life. Keep me from idols. Let not wealth or business or pleasure hide Thy dear face or dull my ears to Thy dear voice. Thee only would I serve. Therefore come Thou very near that in all I possess I may see Thy confidence and so use it for Thee ; that in all my work I may mark Thy call and so work with Thee ; that in all my pleasures I may feel Thy touch and so make the work happier through my own happiness. So shall I love Thee, and keep near to Thee, and at last see Thee, my Lord, my Master, my Christ, face to face. Amen.

Blessed Lord, how dear to me is this life of preparation for greater tasks and larger opportunities ! Every effort I make seems to fit me for something richer and higher. The delight of my struggle is the knowledge that I have a nobler struggle yet before me. For this sunshine of enthusiasm I thank Thee, dear Master. Help me to see more and more what life means. Grant me a real expression of all the truth Thou hast revealed to me. Make me full of loving friendship and hearty joy, and so fit me for ever dearer work for Thee here, and at last bid me come to Thy side and work consciously near Thee in Thine own home. Amen.

Dear Father, ah, how can I tell Thee how I long for Thee, how my heart is restless away from Thee, and how my life finds its barrenness made rich only when I hold Thy dear hand and serve Thee ? Forgive me that I have not loved Thee as my God ought to be loved. Forgive me that I have measured Thy commands as if they were threats. Forgive me that I have been peevish under restraints which were only meant to hold me till I could understand Thy ways better. May my life, through Jesus, be consecrated to Thee, and find in Thy care the sunshine and peace for which it pines, and may my heart always and everywhere be truly, only Thine. Amen. Amen.

Dear Master, Thou meek and self-denying Jesus, make me like Thyself, for I cannot make myself like Thee. Take from me all poor self-consciousness tormenting me with fear, and all despair causing me to forget my high calling. Fill me with great knowledge that in Thy blessed truth I myself may be hidden, and call me to Thy service that in doing Thy will self may be consumed and I may live only as Thou dost live in me. Let me learn to live as Thou didst live on earth, by the power of righteous love. Make my life rich for others and towards Thee and poor in my own eyes. Yea, dear Christ, take self from me, and let me know nothing but Thee and Thy work. For Thine own dear sake. Amen.

Dear Lord, I would hold Thee first, for Thou only art worthy. Let me always look upward to Thee, and rest upon Thee, and desire nothing and be restless for nothing save Thine approval. Give me in my living that order which shall place my Master first and all else second. Give me the power so to live that my days may press ever in one direction, even towards Thee and Thy righteous kingdom. And, O dear Jesus, keep my heart pure, that I may do all and work all for Thy sake and with a desire to forward Thy kingdom. For Thine own dear sake. Amen.

O my Christ, I worship and love Thee as my Saviour, my Friend, my God ! What can I say to express my desire for Thee and my longing to become like Thee? How can I tell Thee as I would of my gratitude for all Thou hast done and art ever doing for me and for the world? Make me, I pray Thee, Thine own child. Seek me when I wander ; save me from sin ; lead me in the right way. When I feel alone, then speak Thou, that I may be cheered by

Thy voice. When I am heavy-hearted, call me by name, that I may be assured of Thine unchanging confidence. When I am disheartened, touch me, that Thy virtue may enter into me and I may go forward. And let me never, never forget Thee or fail to love Thee, dear Lord. Amen.