Behold, he who keepeth his people shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; it is even he who shall keep thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore. A PRAYER FOR AID AGAINST PERILS. O THOU great Author of our being, who knowest all our wants, and who alone art able to supply them; who perceivest all the dangers and evils to which we are exposed, and who alone canst defend us; we pray thee to compassionate our weakness, to guard us in peril, to direct us in doubt, and to save us from falling into sin. In every exposure may thy shield be over us. From the Min. The Lord be evil that is around and with you. within us, graciously de Ans. And with thy liver us. Make the path of duty plain before us, and keep us in it even unto the end. Heavenly Father, we beseech thee to watch over us this night, and preserve us from all harm. In the night of affliction and trouble may we look up unto thee, and be comforted with the assurance that thou wilt hereafter wipe away all tears from our eyes. And when we come to the dark valley O THOU who art our eternal Governor and Judge, we beseech thee to regard with thy favor all thy creatures, and to show thy mercy on all orders and conditions of men. Bless, we pray thee, all our rulers; and all who are in places of authority and trust. May our land be ever favored of the Most High God; the abode of freedom, religion, virtue, truth, and peace. Let thy mercy descend upon thy whole church; purify it by thy spirit, and preserve it against all temptations and enemies; that offer ing to thee the never ceasing sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving, it may advance thy honor, and be filled with thy grace, and partake of thy glory. Bless all its ministers, and clothe them with righteousness. Bless the means of education, and the instructers of youth. Enlighten the ignorant ; convert the unbelieving; relieve and comfort all the persecuted and afflicted; speak peace to troubled consciences; strengthen the weak; confirm the strong; deliver the oppresed from him who spoileth him, and succor the needy who hath no helper. Send light, liberty, and peace, over the whole earth; and let the sun of righteousness arise upon all nations, with healing in his beams. Hear our supplications, which we humbly address to thee in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, who ever liveth to make intercession for us, and through whom we render unto thee all honor and glory for ever. Amen. O LORD, merciful and gracious, we, thy dependent offspring, would now humbly and sincerely thank thee, because thou hast given us life, and by thy bountiful providence hast always nourished, directed, and governed us. For all the gifts of nature, and of grace; for our Saviour, Christ; for our redemption, and instruction in the truth; for thy repeated calls to us; for all the patience which has waited for us, and all the mercy which has which has spared us; for all the enjoyments of this present life, and for all thy promises, and all our hopes of a better life to come, we bless and magnify thy holy name. And grant, O Lord, that thy mercies may be followed by our obedience; and that we may so walk in the tight of thy favor, and in the paths of thy commandments, that living here to thy praise, we may at last be received to thyself, to rejoice for ever in thy presence; which we ask in the name, and as disciples of him who died that we might live, through whom to thee be ascribed all thanksgiving and praise, both now and for ever. Amen. CONCLUDING PRAYER. ETERNAL and all seeing God, by whose goodness we have been permitted to join together at this time in thy worship, we beseech thee to grant our prayers and supply our wants according to thy knowledge of our need; and as we now express our submission to thy decrees, adore thy providence, and bless thy dispensations, so, in that future state, to which we reverently hope thy goodness will raise us, may we continue praising, venerating, worshipping thee, more and more, through ages without end. Amen. THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. END OF THE SECOND FORM OF EVENING PRAYER. OCCASIONAL PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS. Though the Prayers and Thanksgivings which follow, are intended for a variety of Occasions, yet the Minister is at liberty to introduce such Petitions of his own, as he may more perfectly adapt to the circumstances of the time, and of his Congregation. PRAYERS. FOR A SICK PERSON. O GOD, who hast taught us at all times and in every condition to make our requests known unto thee; we offer up our humble supplications in behalf of thy servant, who is laboring under pain and sickness. Look down upon him with mercy, and let the consideration of thy goodness strengthen and comfort his soul in the time of affliction. We pray, with submission to thy wise providence, that thou wouldst be pleased to remove his disorder and restore him to health. Graciously prolong his days upon earth; and grant that his affliction may produce the fruit of righteousness to the honor of thy name. By the sadness of his countenance may his heart be made better; and may he live to manifest his thankfulness to thee his great preserver. [*But if this affliction should be unto death, *This is to be said when there is small hope of recovery. |