Part 1 (1/2)
The Little Treasure of Prayers.
by Anonymous.
1. Sunday Morning Prayer.
Eternal, almighty G.o.d and Father! I most heartily praise and thank Thee, that Thou hast graciously, by Thy holy angels, preserved me from all harm and danger both of body and soul, during the past night and all previous time; and I most heartily pray Thee, forgive me all my sins wherewith I have offended Thee, and enlighten my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may daily grow and increase in Thy knowledge. Grant me grace also, that I may, during this day, avoid all sin and shame, and be found in Thy divine will, in order that I may so walk as to be preserved from all evil, may always and constantly keep Thee in my heart and thoughts, and when the time of my departure approaches, grant that I may fall asleep in the true knowledge of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, unto a blessed and eternal life.
Amen.
2. Before going to Church.
Merciful G.o.d and Father! Thou seest, that by reason of my depraved nature I have no delight in Thy word, and that I so easily permit the devil, my own flesh and blood, the children of the world, also false teachers and preachers and other trivial causes keep me away from it, and that I am too indolent and careless to hear and preserve Thy word. Therefore I now pray Thee, O eternal G.o.d, forgive me this my inbred indolence, and do Thou give me a heart willing and apt to hear and meditate upon Thy word.
Awake in me such an earnest longing that I may have a desire after the sincere milk of the divine word, as new-born babes. Help me, that I may find my chief delight in Thy word. May there be nothing in this world dearer to me than Thy word; may I love it more than gold and all fine gold, and always regard it as my best treasure. And as I, alas! have lived to see the time which Thy dear Son Himself foretold, that false Christs should arise and do wonders, so that, if it were possible, even the elect should be deceived, I pray Thee that Thou wouldst graciously defend and protect me from error and false doctrine. Keep me in Thy truth, for Thy word is truth, that I may cling to the same as heavenly truth, and remain steadfast in the same unto death. Grant this for the sake of the honor of Thy most holy and blessed name. Amen.
3. Sunday Evening Prayer.
Lord, almighty G.o.d and heavenly Father, I most heartily thank Thee for all Thy goodness and benefits which Thou hast this day so kindly shown unto me, in that Thou hast defended me from evil and preserved my health.
And I, Thy dear child, further pray Thee that Thou wouldst mercifully keep me in Thy alone saving word to my last breath, and enlighten my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may know what is good or evil. And wouldst graciously wipe out the remembrance of all the sins which I this day have knowingly done, also of my secret sins, and grant me this night a christian rest, that I may arise again refreshed and in health, to Thy praise. Help also, dear Father, that I may begin a new life, well pleasing in Thy sight, to the salvation of my soul, in Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Helper. Amen.
4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer.
We adore and praise Thee, Lord G.o.d, Father of heaven and earth, that Thou hast so bountifully supplied us this day not only with our daily bread to nourish the body, but also with the heavenly food of Thy word for our souls. Grant, O faithful G.o.d, that it may remain in our hearts, and bring forth much fruit to Thy honor and our salvation. We also pray Thy fatherly goodness not to deprive us of Thy pure word and ministry; and that Thou wouldst not visit upon us the sins wherewith we may have desecrated this day, but forgive them according to Thy great goodness, and for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. And finally, let us this day, and all the remaining time of our mortal life in this vale of tears, be commended to Thy fatherly blessing and divine protection; and may Thy holy angels keep charge over us, that the wicked one may have no power over us.
But as the evening of this world is now approaching, and the day is far spent, grant us the grace of Thy Spirit, that we may constantly watch, and, in living faith, ardent love, firm hope and a holy walk and demeanor, wait for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great G.o.d and our Saviour Jesus Christ, when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead, in order that we may then receive Him in a worthy manner and with joy, enter with Him into eternal life, and celebrate with all the elect the Sabbath without end. Have mercy, O Lord! upon Thy whole Christian Church, and deliver Thy poor persecuted flock from all oppression, mockery and tyranny, comfort all anxious and troubled consciences by the true comforter, the Holy Spirit, and send us all Thy peace through Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and only Mediator. Amen.
5. Monday Morning Prayer.
Holy and faithful G.o.d, heavenly Father! I most heartily praise, honor and adore Thee, that during the past night Thou hast permitted me to rest and sleep in safety, and by Thy fatherly love hast awakened me again refreshed and in the enjoyment of health. I most heartily pray Thee that Thou wouldst this day also and always graciously preserve me together with (my dear parents, brothers and sisters, and) all true Christians from all danger and harm both of body and soul, in order that I may always be found in Thy will. For I commend myself, my body and soul, heart, sense, mind and thoughts, all my strivings and aspirations, all I do and all I leave undone, my going in and coming out, my life and death, and everything that I am and can do, to Thy divine protection. May Thy holy angel be and remain with me, that no misfortune may befall me either in body or soul. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son.