Occasional Prayers.

ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILD.

To be used until after Baptism.

O LORD God, Father of mercies, the fountain of comfort and blessing, of life and peace, of plenty and pardon, who fillest heaven with thy glory and earth with thy goodness; We give thee most earnest, most humble, and enlarged returns of glad and thankful hearts, for that thou hast refreshed us with thy comforts, and cheered us with thy blessing. Praised be the Lord daily, even the Lord that helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us. Graciously support, strengthen, and preserve thy servant, the mistress of this family, in her present need. Let thy grace preserve this the fruit of her womb, and conduct it to the holy Sacrament of Baptism; that it, being regenerated by thy Spirit and adopted into thy family, may live to the glory of God, to the comfort of its parents and

friends, to the edification of thy Church, and the salvation of its own soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WHEN A CHILD IS TO BE BAPTIZED.

Almighty God, we humbly commend to thy fatherly protection and care this child, about to be taken to thy laver of regeneration. Bless him and sanctify him, that having a holy admission into thy Church now, he may continue thy servant unto his life's end, and finally be united with all them that are saved, through Christ our Saviour, in thy kingdom of glory. Amen.

AFTER THE BAPTISM OF A CHILD.

Almighty God, who hast appointed spiritual regeneration, by thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; Look down in mercy upon this thy creature, who has been dedicated to thee by baptism; bless him and sanctify him and prepare him, that he may become worthy of thy spiritual gift, and of being gathered together with those that are saved; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

A PRAYER ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF A CHILD.

O Lord God, who dost feed like a shepherd them who do put their trust in thee; Look mercifully upon this thy flock, and make it thine for ever, that we may all love and serve thee in constant obedience to thy Word, and kindly affection one towards another. And grant especially, that he who hath this day completed another year of his earthly course may have thy grace ever to run that course in thy faith and fear; that his parents may have grace to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that as he grows in years he may grow in grace, and the growth of his bodily stature ever bring him nearer to the measure of the stature of Christ; a blessing and comfort to his kindred, and a Christian example to all around him; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

BEFORE CONFIRMATION.

O God, by whose merciful Providence the holy Church continueth to observe the doctrine of baptism, and of the laying on of hands; We beseech thee to be with thy servant, our Bishop, when he shall come, as the successor of thy

Apostles, to administer in this parish the blessed ordinance of Confirmation; and grant that these thy servants may approach the rite with bodies undefiled, with watchful minds and pure hearts, that being blest by thy minister, and guided by the powerful influence of thy good Spirit, they may never be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, but manfully fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and continue his faithful soldiers and servants unto their lives' end; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AFTER CONFIRMATION.

O God, who gavest the Holy Ghost to thy Apostles, and hast pleased to ordain that by them and by their successors He should be given to the rest of thy faithful people; Mercifully regard what thy servant our Bishop hath this day done; and grant that the hearts of these thy servants being filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, may become living temples of the Holy Ghost. Vouchsafe to them a constant union with thy holy Church, and make them always worthy partakers of thy Divine Mysteries; through Jesus Christ our only Mediator

and Redeemer, who died for our sins, and ever liveth to make intercession for us. Amen.

FOR PARENTS.

Almighty God, the Father and Maker of us all, who of thy goodness hast blessed this thy family with that heritage that cometh of thee; Grant us thy heavenly grace and assistance so to train up our children in thy godly nurture and virtue, religion and discipline, that they may continually serve, honour, and obey thee, their heavenly Father; and thou, acknowledging and blessing them as thy children here, mayest bring them to the blessings prepared for thy children hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR CHILDREN.

O Almighty and most merciful Father, bless the children of this family, we humbly beseech thee, with healthful bodies, and good understandings, with the graces and gifts of thy Holy Spirit, and with sweet dispositions and holy habits. May thy mercy and providence lead them through all the dangers and temptations of this evil world, and sanctify them wholly in