Almighty God, Heavenly Father! since Thou hast so earnestly enjoined upon me, in the fourth commandment, to honor my father and my mother, and hast also promised, graciously to reward such service with long life and prosperity: I would pray Thee from the depth of my heart, that Thou wouldst bestow upon me an obedient heart, which, with due submission, obeys my dear parents in all things, and also those who are my superiors in the place of my parents; that I may honor them in deed, word and with patience, and that I may not grieve, disregard or despise them as long as I live, in order that Thy blessing may rest upon me. Grant that I may well remember and firmly keep to heart their words, rules and precepts, yea, that I may at all times be mindful of them, and that I may not forget their instructions, in order that my days may be long upon earth. Do Thou govern me through Thy good Spirit, that I may hear the instruction of my father and not forsake the law of my mother, in order that I may be a cause of joy and comfort unto them. Grant that I may, in all my actions, diligently follow the example of my Lord and Saviour, who, being a true model for all pious children, was subject unto the virgin Mary, His blessed mother, and unto Joseph, His foster-father. Bestow also upon me a grateful and humble heart, that I may recompense my dear parents and again serve them, especially that I may administer unto them in old age and bear with them when they have become childish and simple, and that I may never forget that they are my parents. Do Thou also graciously forgive me whenever I have offended them through childish weakness and rashness. Do Thou preserve me from evil society and frivolous people, and when sinners entice me, that I may not consent nor walk in their way with them, but that I may refrain my foot from their path and not bring disgrace and crime upon myself. O Lord! Thou hast thus far chastened me as a man chasteneth his son; grant that I may bow down mine ear and hear the words of the wise, and learn while I am young, that I may acquire knowledge and discretion. Grant that I may increase in wisdom and stature, and in favour before Thee and my fellow-men, for the sake of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
20. Prayer for Young Persons.
O father of all Grace and Mercy, who art a God of Holiness, it is Thy holy will that we also should be holy and lead a life without lust and evil desires of our sinful flesh. I confess unto Thee my weakness and the sinful infirmities of my nature; for, to will is present with me, but how to perform that which, is good, I find not. The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life surround me like three powerful enemies and threaten to entice me away from Thy Grace. Therefore, O my Father, I pray Thee to create and preserve within me a pure heart. Grant, that I may avoid, with all my heart, all places and occasions where opportunity is given for impurities, and that I may be afraid, lest I should take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot. Grant, that I may rather abide in fervent devotion and at all times have a sincere desire and longing after true holiness, that my body may, in truth, be the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that I may not cease to love Jesus Christ, who was crucified and has given Himself into death for my sake. Grant that I may love heavenly wisdom, in order that I may never more enter upon the paths of deceivers. O Thou just and holy God! who triest the hearts and reins, grant, that I may so cling unto Thee in this world, as to remain unseparated from Thee in all eternity. Amen!
21. Prayer of a Servant.
Merciful God! Thou who hast redeemed and liberated me, through the precious suffering and death of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, from everlasting servitude, from the power of sin, from the power of darkness, and from the cruel tyranny of the devil, and hast made me lord over death and hell,—I pray Thou wouldst in mercy grant, that I may not conceive a dislike to my calling of bodily service, into which Thou hast placed me according to Thy will and good pleasure, and that I may not impatiently rebel against Thy order, nor begrudge other people their higher station, but that I may obey Thy will with a cheerful heart, and that I do not regard it otherwise than that I were serving Thee, O God in Heaven, and not men on earth. To this end, dear Father, do Thou assist me, that I may, in true knowledge and fear, serve Thee, the highest Lord in Heaven and on Earth; that I may love Thee above all things, placing in Thee all my hope and salvation and walking unblamably according to Thy commandments; and that I may also, in addition to this, be obedient in all things which are not displeasing unto Thee, to my master and mistress, according to the flesh, not only to them that are kind and lenient, but also to them who are rude and froward, serving them with patience, in all fear and simplicity of heart, just as I should serve Christ, my Lord, not with mere visible works, as if to gain favor before men, but with a sincere heart for the sake of Thy command and precept. Grant in mercy, that I may be found faithful in every thing that is enjoined upon and intrusted unto me, that I may neither neglect nor destroy anything, nor cause any mishap or loss through my carelessness, and that I may not defraud others, nor covet their property which is entrusted to me and placed into my hands. Preserve unto me good health, strengthen the members of my body and increase my powers; bestow upon me knowledge and wisdom, that I may be able to perform the labor of my master and mistress, to improve their property by Thy divine help, that they may be blessed through my industry and increase abundantly, and grant that all that I do may redound to Thy glory and be profitable unto me to the blessed exercise unto godliness for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, world-without-end. Amen!
22. Prayer of a Husband.
Almighty and Gracious God! Thou who Thyself hast instituted the holy state of matrimony, and by the first miracle of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, hast honored and adorned it as a state pleasing in Thy sight, in which state also many sainted patriarchs and prophets have led a godly life unto Thy good pleasure; and since Thou hast also helped me to enter holy matrimony and hast placed me at the head of my household, and as Thou art pleased with these three things, namely, when brethren dwell together in unity, when neighbors love each other, and when husband and wife dwell together in love and purity; I would therefore pray Thee with all my heart, to grant unto me, that I may, in Christian love and harmony and with reasonableness, live with my wife, giving honor unto her, as unto the weaker vessel and as also being heir of the grace of life, and that I may advise her, with the children and servants, into Thy knowledge and Divine honor in all chastity and decency. Unto this end, do Thou bestow Thy grace, that they may observe my instructions in that which is good and which leads to all godliness, and that they may cheerfully abide in them. Do Thou restrain satan, that he may not cause discord and strife between us, and if we should, out of weakness, be at variance at any time, do Thou help, that we may soon become reconciled again. Do Thou give me grace, that I may not lust after another spouse or woman, or look upon her with an evil eye to desire her. Protect me, my wife, my children and servants against sickness, according to Thy divine will. Grant unto me, Thy servant, that I may diligently attend to my calling, eating my daily bread in the sweat of my brow, and that I may not grow impatient, whenever my task becomes bitter, for thus Thou hast instituted it. Do Thou prosper and bless my substance, that it may increase without injury or disadvantage to others. Give me pious and faithful servants. Preserve unto me my house and home, and all that Thou hast bestowed upon me. Help us to bear the cross in our calling with patience, and after this life gather us together with all Thy saints in Thy kingdom above. Amen.
23. Prayer of a Wife.
Gracious God, faithful Father! Since Thou hast, through Thy mercy, called me into the holy state of matrimony to be the mistress of a house, in which state I can also serve and please Thee, my God, do Thou bestow grace upon me, Thy servant, that I may at all times sincerely fear Thee, and trust in Thee above all things, O my Creator and Redeemer; and that I may, next to Thee, fear, love and honor my husband, and desire none other besides him. Help, that according to Thy command, my will be in subjection to my husband, to obey him with all readiness, and that I, in the innermost of my heart, may ever be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit and many virtues, like unto the holy women of olden times who trusted in God, being in subjection to their own husbands. Grant that I may lead a chaste and pure life in fear and humility, that I may in all godliness and with kind and modest words restrain and subdue the anger and ill-humor of my husband, and be enabled to meet him with indulgence; that I may, in meekness, train my children and servants unto the praise and honor of Thy holy name, and that they may, with willing hearts, obey me in those things which are good and righteous before Thee. Help that I may be a faithful helpmeet unto my husband, that I may with care guard over the blessings which Thou hast graciously bestowed upon us and not squander them, but that I may work and assist, as is becoming me in this my calling, that I may be able to give unto the needy and extend a helping hand unto the poor. Protect us against unfaithful and wicked servants, who neglect and waste our property. Give me grace that I may patiently bear the cross in married life, and not so soon become discouraged or intimidated whenever afflictions come upon us; for our faith must be tested through trials and adversities. O Lord God! Into Thy almighty power I commend myself, my dear husband, all my children and servants, do Thou preserve us from sin, disgrace and all afflictions, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.