The Bible prayer-book

Front matter

^y

I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I

# Xv^ i

Part I

Prayers of the Awakened Sinner, • • • 14 Prayers of the Anxious Sinner, . • • .17

Prayers of the Turnini^ Sinner, ... 20

Praise and Thanksgiving of the Converted Sinner, 21

Praise of the Happy Christian, ... 25

Prayer of the Christian for Preservation from Sin, 26

Prayers of the Doubting- Christian, ... 27

Supplications of the Christian alarmed with fears . 28 Solemn Entreaties of the Christian, with God

under the Hidings of his Face, . . .31 Agonizing Prayers of the Christian who has fallen

into gross Sin, 34

Praise and Thanksgiving for Restoration to God's

favour, 39

Prayers for God's Continued Grace, . . 40

8 CONTENTS.

Prayers for Spiritual Light in reading God's Word, 43 Prayers and Praise of the Christian before Communion, 45

Praise of the Christian going to Communion after

a severe Sickness, 47

Confidence in God, .••••• 49

Adoration of Christ, 54

Praise and Thanksgiving at the Remembrance of

God's Mercies, 55

Prayers for Deliverance from Enemies, . . 59 Praise and Thanksgiving for Deliverance from

Prayer in great Losses, 68

Prayers in great Bodily afflictions, . . . 69 Prayers of those who by Sickness are deprived of

the Privileges of God's House, . . .76

Praise and Thanksgiving for Restoration to Health, 79

Prayers of the Poor, 82

Prayers of an Orphan, 83

Praise for Divine Protection amid the trials of Domestic Life, 89

Morning Prayers, 91

Evening Prayers, 96

Prayers at Meals, 98

Prayers of Church or Civil Officers, . • • 101

Prayers of a Minister, 103

CONTENTS. 9

Prayer when about to take a Journey, . . 106

Prayers on a Journey or in a distant Land, . . 107

Prayers of the Aged, 112

Prayers and Thanksgiving of the dying Christian, 115

PART 11.

RELATIVE PRAYERS.

Prayers for Relatives, 121

Prayers for such as have rendered acts of Kindness, 122 Prayers for Brethren in Christ, • . . 123

Prayers for an Anxious Sinner, • • • • 125

SECOND DIVISION OF

Part II. Social Prayers

Prayers and Thanksgiving at the commencement

of Public Worship, 129

Prayers and Thanksgiving at the conclusion of Public Worship, 132

Prayers of the Church in a low State, . * . 135

Prayers and Praise of the Church in a state of Revival 146

Prayers of the Church in times of Persecution, 150

10 CONTENTS.

THIRD DIVISION OF

PART II.

NATIONAL PRAYERS.

National Prayers and Supplications for Deliverance

from foreign Foes, 159

National Confession of Sin, .... 160 National Prayers in times of War, . . . 163

Praise and Thanksgiving for Deliverance, . 168

Prayers in time of Famine, 171

Prayers in time of Pestilence, .... 175 National Praise and Acknowledgment of God's

PAET I.

OUB Father, who art in heaven,

HALLOWED BE THY NAME: ThY KING- DOM COMB : THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN I GiVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD: AnD FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS : AnD LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL : FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER.

AME:Nr.

PRAYERS OF THE AWAKENED SINNER.

BEHOLD, I am vile; what shall I answer thee ? I w^ill lay my hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer : yea, twice ; but I wall proceed no further :"■ for I do remember my faults this day.^ My iniquity is greater than I can bear.^ I have sinned greatly in that I have done ; and now I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.^ How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgressions and my sins/ That which I see not, teach thou me : if

I have done iniquity, I will do so no more.^ Yea, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.^ I will declare mine iniquities ; I will be sorry for my sins.^

FOR if I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me : if I say, lam perfect, It shall also prove me false.* What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth?^ Lord, what wilt thou have me to do V Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed : save me and I shall be saved : for thou art my praise.'' For, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.® Thou hast received gifts for men, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.^

OUT of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice : let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may est be feared. I wait for the Lord ; my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they who watch for the morning : I say more than they who watch for the morning.^ Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions : according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek w^ill he guide in judgment : and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.*

PRAYERS OF THE ANXIOUS SINNER.

LORD, be merciful unto me : heal my soul ; for I have sinned against thee.^ Therefore, O God, be merciful to me a sinner.^ For unto thee will I cry, O Lord, my Rock ; be not silent to me : lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like tliem who go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity.^ Oh that I might have my request ; and that God would grant me the thing I long for !^ Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.^ We have sinned : do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee ; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.* I will not let thee go except thou bless me.^ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.^

O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night unto thee : let my prayer come before thee : incline thine ear unto my cry. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction : Lord, I have called daily unto thee, I have stretched out mine hands unto thee. But unto thee have I cried, O Lord ; and in the morning shall my prayer come before thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me ?^ Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free spirit. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice ; else would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken heart : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.^

PRAYER OF THE TURNING SINNER.

I WILL arise and go to my father, and will say unto hinri, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee/ Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way : send me away that I may go to my Master.^ He knoweth the way that I take : when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips ; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food ; for God maketh my heart soft and the Almighty troubleth me/ I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin/

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING OF THE CONVERTED SINNER.

BLESSED be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength, and my shield : my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped ; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song will I praise him.^ Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.^ For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.* God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.^

I WILL bless the Lord at all times : his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened ; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. taste and see that the Lord is good ; blessed is the man that trusteth in him. The Lord is nigh unto them who are of a broken heart ; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.^ But verily God hath heard me ; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.^

I LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me : I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name the Lord : O Lord, I beseech the^ "^^^^^

ver my soul. Gracious is the ^ ' ' Vs. 34 : 1-8, IS. ^ p. 06 : 19-30.

righteous ; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple ; I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord, now, in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid ; thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now, in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord's house. Praise ye the Lord !'

PRAISE OF THE HAPPY CHRISTIAN.

I WILL sing to the Lord, as long as I live ; I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet : I will be glad in the Lord. Bless thou the Lord, O my 3oul. Praise ye the Lord.^

PRAYER OF THE CHRISTIAN FOR PRESERVATION FROM

SIN.

WHO can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.^

PRAYER OF THE DOUBTING CHRISTIAN.

WHERE is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?' Examine me, O Lord, anc] prove me ; try my reins and my heart. For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes ; and I have walked in thy truth.* O Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand : for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might ?^

SUPPLICATIONS OF THE CHRIS- TIAN ALARMED WITH FEARS.

MY God, my God, why hast thou for saken me ? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee : they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered : they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. Be not far from me ; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. But be not thou far from me, O Lord : O my strength, haste thee to help me.^

OH that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me ; when his candle shined upon my head, and when, by his light, I walked through darkness; as I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; when the Almighty was yet with me/ If I say, I will forget my complaint, I wdll leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself; I am afraid of my sorrows ; I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.2 But give ear to my prayer, O God ; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me : for my heart is sore pained within me ; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me ; and horror hath overw^helmed me. O that I had wings like a dove ! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.'

3*

AS the hart panleth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God ? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God ? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me : for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that keep holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God, my Rock, Why hast thou forgotten me?^ Lord, where are thy former loving-kindnesses?^ Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.^

SOLEMN ENTREATIES OF THE CHRISTIAN, WITH GOD UNDER THE HIDINGS OF HIS FACE.

HEAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications : in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O Lord : my spirit faileth : hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God ; thy Spirit is good ; lead me into the hand of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake : for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.!

GIVE ear to my prayer, O Lord ; and ^Ps. 143: 1-2,5-8,10-11.

hide not thyself from my supplications/ Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant ? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight ?^ Will the Lord cast off for ever ? and will he be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for evermore ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies ? This is my infirmity : but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.^

HEAR, O Lord, when I cry with my voice : have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto thee, Thy face. Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help;

leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of ray salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way,

Lord, and lead me in a plain path.

1 had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.^

AGONIZING PRAYERS OF THE CHRISTIAN WHO HAS FALL- EN INTO GROSS SINS.

HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mer cies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones w^hich thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation : and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.^

HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me

Avlien I was in distress ; be gracious unto me. and hear my prayer/ / know I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant/ Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me : for I am poor and needy. Nevertheless preserve my soul ; for I am one whom thou favourest. O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord : for I cry unto thee all the day. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou. Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee : for thou wilt answer me. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things : thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me : and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed : because thou, Lord, hast helped me, and comforted me.*

PRAISE AND THANSGIVING FOR RESTORATION TO GOD^S FAVOUR.

BLESSED be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield ; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped : therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song will I praise him/ I have trusted in thy mercy ; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.^

PRAYERS FOR GOD'S CON^ TINUED GRACE.

O GOD, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shal] praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live : I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips : when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy

THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 4l

wings will I rejoice. My soial followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me/ Now, therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight.*

HEAR the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence ; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved my heart ; thou hast visited me in the night ; thou hast tried me, and shall find nothing : I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold

4^ up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God : incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.^ Let my soul wait only upon God ; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is my defence ; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory : the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.^ O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.^

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL LIGHT IN READING GOD'S WORD.

TEACH me, O Lord, thenvay of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give nrie understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it v^ith my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou me in thy way. Establish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me in thy righteousness. For thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With ray lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the v^ay of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I wnll meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy W'ord. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. For thy testimonies also are my delight, and my counsellor. Therefore make me to understand the way of thy precepts : so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.'

PRAYERS AND PRAISE OF THE CHRISTIAN BEFORE COMMU- NION.

THE Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup : thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel : my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me : because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore mj heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth ; my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.^

THY VOWS are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.' Therefore offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High : and call -upon me in the day of trouble : I will deliver thee; and thou shalt glorify me/ Because thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.^ Yea my praise shall be of thee in the orreat congreoration : I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied : they shall praise the Lord that seek him : your hearts shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord : and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.*

PRAISE OF THE CHRISTIAN GOING TO COMMUNION, AF- TER A SEVERE SICKNESS.

I LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me : I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord ; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple : I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul ; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me ? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid : thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will