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النشر الإلكتروني

Be gracious unto all those countries that are made desolate by the sword, famine, pestilence or persecution.

Preserve this land from the miseries of war, this church from persecution, and from all wild and dangerous errors, and this people from forgetting thee, their Lord and benefactor.

Look down with pity and forgiveness on the world which thou hast created, destroy it not, together with its manifold transgressions.

Overrule the commotions of earth, bring or-der out of confusion, light out of darkness, establish the reign of peace and righteousness among men, let the Saviour's kingdom be set up in every land and every heart.

O God, the creator and redeemer of all, have mercy upon all whom thou hast made and redeemed.

Finally O God we pray thee, that as we are all members of the same body, have one and the same Father, the same Saviour and the

same spirit, and hope to meet in the same paradise above, that we may live together while earth, in unity and Godly love.

And this we ask, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving.

Little do we know, (said the pious Richard Baxter) how we wrong ourselves, by shutting out of our prayers the praises of God, or allowing them so narrow a room as we usually do. Reader I intreat thee remember this, let praises have a larger room in thy duties; keep ready at hand matter to feed thy praises, as well as matter for confession and petition.

To this end, study the excellencies and goodness of the Lord, as frequently as thy own necessities and vileness; study the mercies which thou hast received, and which are promised, both their own worth and aggravating circumstances, as often as thou studiest the sins thou hast committed. O let God's praise be much in your mouths,

Seven times a day did David praise him ; yea, his praise was continually of him.

As he that offereth praise glorifyeth God, so doth he most rejoice and glad his own soul.

Offer therefore, the sacrifice of praise continually; in the midst of the church let us sing his praise.

"It becometh well the just to be thankful."

"In every thing give thanks, for this is the "will of God."

O Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who day after day dost minister to sinful man, infinite occasions of praising thee, accept of my unfeigned thanks for all the blessings I have, and every day receive from thy good Providence.

That of thine own mercy, goodness and without any merit of mine, or of my fore-fathers, thou hast given me a being from honest and religious parents, and in such a part of the world, where the Christian religion is purely

taught, and the sacraments duly administered.

That thou didst endow me with reason and perfect senses; and to make these more comfortable to me, didst give me a sound and healthful body.

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That thou didst preside over my education, and gavest me an early knowledge of thee, my Creator and Redeemer. That thou hast preserved me ever since my birth, and hast vouchsafed me health and liberty, and a competency of means to support me.

That thou hast redeemed me by thy son, and given me a share in his merits; sanctified me by thy holy spirit; and continually heaped unexpected and undeserved favours, upon

me.

That thou hast given me kind and Christian friends to council, to encourage and support me by their interest and advice.

That thou hast been my refuge in tribula

tion, and my defence in all adversities, delivering me from dangers, infamy and troubles.

For all the known or unobserved deliverances, I praise thy good providence, and for the guard thy good angels keep over me.

When I went astray thou didst bring me back, when I was sad thou didst comfort me, when I offended thee, thou didst forbear and gently correct me, and didst long expect my repentance; and when for the greviousness of my sins, I was ready to despair, thou didst keep me from utter ruin. Thou hast delivered me from the snares and assaults of the Devil.

Thou hast not only preserved my soul, but my body from destruction, when sickness and infirmities take hold of me. O Lord and Father, I cannot render due thanks and praise for all these mercies bestowed upon me; such as I have I give thee; and humbly beseech thee, to accept of this my daily sacrifice of thanksgiving.

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