Finally, do thou, O blessed Jesus, who at twelve years old wast found in the temple, sitting among the Doctors, both hearing and asking them questions, grant, that these children may love to tread the courts of thy house, and have their ears opened betimes, to receive the discipline of wisdom, that so, if it be thy good pleasure, to prolong the time of their pilgrimage, here on earth, they may shine as lights in the world; or, if thou seest it best, to bring down their strength in their journey, and to shorten their days, they may be early fitted by purity of heart, to sing eternal Hallelujah’s to thee, the Father, and the Holy Ghost, in the kingdom of heaven for ever. Grant this, O Father, for thy dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, Amen.
A Prayer for a Person in Want.
O ALL-POWERFUL and gracious God, who didst bring water out of a rock for the children of Israel, and water out of a jaw-bone to sustain a thirsty Samson; who hadst compassion upon Hagar when she was ready to perish, who sentest ravens to feed Elijah, and dost feed the young ravens who daily call upon thee, behold me, O Lord, who now cry unto thee in great distress.
I confess, O Lord, I am unworthy of the crumbs which fall from any rich man’s table. Wast thou to deal with me according to my deserts, I should now be lifting up my eyes in torments. But in the midst of judgment, remember mercy. Thou, O Lord, art the preserver of the body. Thou hast declared, that godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and that if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, food and raiment shall be added unto us. Fulfil these promises in me thy unworthy servant.
I behold the lillies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin; wilt thou not feed me? Lord, I believe; O help my unbelief! I am ashamed that I have so little faith. Lord Jesus, thou Son of David, I believe that thou wilt help me. Only give me patience to wait till the hour appointed for helping me, is fully come. I know, in thy due time, thou wilt turn my water into wine, and richly supply all my wants. Patiently let me tarry thy leisure. Never let me fret against thee, my Lord. Though I am poor, let me not be tempted to steal; but strengthen me, I beseech thee, against Satan’s assaults. Let me know, that man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of thee, my God. Though poor as Lazarus, yet, when I die, let me be carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom. And however thou mayest be pleased to deal with my body, Lord, feed my soul, I beseech thee, with that bread which cometh down from heaven. Though poor in this world, O let me be rich in faith. Suffer me not to stagger at thy promises through unbelief. Let the poverty of my body be a means of humbling my proud heart. O let me not be ashamed of my low estate, since thou, O Lord, didst not disdain to let women minister to thee of their substance, and hadst not where to lay thy head. Help me to sanctify thee my Lord God in my heart, and bring me safe at last to thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ, my only Advocate and Redeemer. Amen.
A Prayer before Singing of Psalms.
O ALMIGHTY God who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast perfected praise, open our mouths, that our lips may shew forth thy praise. Let our souls be filled as with marrow and fatness, and out of the abundance of our hearts, let our mouths speak. Enable us to sing with the spirit, as well as with the understanding, and to make melody in our hearts unto thee, O Lord. O let us rejoice in thee evermore, and help us to shew forth our thankfulness not only with our lips, but in our lives; and from praising thee here, Lord grant we may, at the hour of death, be translated to join with angels and archangels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, to praise thee eternally hereafter. Even so, Lord Jesus, Amen and Amen.