Part 4 (2/2)

48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith.

O Lord, I know it now of a truth that all men have not faith. I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief! Do not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax; O Jesus, Thou who sittest at the right hand of G.o.d, make intercession for me, that my faith may not cease. Be the author and finisher of my faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Grant me that I believe, although I do not see, and thus be saved. Amen.

49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger.

O almighty G.o.d and Father, who art ever ready to help, Thou seest the great trouble and danger in which we are living; we know of no counsel or help, and have no strength of ourselves to come out of trouble, therefore our eyes look unto Thee, who alone art our consolation, refuge and helper, and hast said: Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Our heart clings to Thy word of promise and in childlike humility and confidence seeks Thy face. O Lord, hide not Thy face, full of compa.s.sion, from us, and put not Thy children away in anger. Leave us not, neither forsake us, O G.o.d of our salvation, who workest salvation in the midst of the earth. Let Thy help also come unto us and be merciful unto us. O Lord, our G.o.d, in Thee do we put our trust and under the shadow of Thy wings do we make our refuge until these calamities be overpast. Turn again unto us and satisfy us early with Thy mercy and we will freely sacrifice unto Thee, we will praise Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Give us help from trouble and we will praise Thee, and rejoice in Thy salvation all the days of our life. Amen.

50. Thanksgiving after a safe Journey.

Gracious G.o.d, heavenly Father, I thank Thee with my whole heart, that Thou hast in safety brought me to my journey's end, and that to my joy, Thy holy angels have led me back to my family. As a Father Thou hast also kept me from all evil, prevented robbers and murderers from killing me, wild beasts from tearing me to pieces, floods of water and other perils from destroying or injuring me. Thou hast led me in safety as the angel Raphael led the young Tobias. All this I owe to Thy paternal care and almighty protection. In mercy keep me and mine, take us under Thy mighty protection, and by Thy power preserve body and soul unto eternal life for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

51. Thanksgiving for Deliverance out of Tribulation.

I will praise Thee, O Lord my G.o.d, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name forevermore. I will praise Thee for ever, because Thou canst do all things well. Behold, instead of peace I had great bitterness, but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. In my distress I called unto Thee, and Thou hast heard my voice, and my cry did enter into Thy ears, and Thou hast comforted me. Thou hast faithfully helped me, in mercy upheld my soul, and finally delivered me out of my great tribulation. My Lord and my G.o.d, what shall I render unto Thee for all the benefits which Thou daily bestowest? I will praise Thy name all the days of my life, I will magnify Thee among all Thy people, and Thy glory shall continually be in my mouth. Thy Spirit, O faithful G.o.d, enable me to pay my vows and never to forget the benefits Thou hast bestowed upon my soul. Let me spread Thy praise in time, and also in Eternity, together with the elect, sing everlasting Hallelujahs to the honor of Thy name. Amen.

52. Morning Prayer of a sick Person.

O Thou faithful G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! I will thank and praise Thee that Thou hast so mercifully kept, protected and strengthened me in my weakness. In Jesus' name, turn unto me to-day and the remaining days of my life, cleanse me from my sin, comfort me by Thy grace, strengthen me by Thy power, lead me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may live and suffer in accordance with Thy will. I commit my sick body and my soul into Thy holy hands, let Thy holy angel have charge concerning me that the wicked one may have no power or influence over me, through Jesus Christ, our only comfort and Redeemer, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

53. Another Morning Prayer in Sickness.

I commit myself this morning and all the days of my life into Thy hands, O G.o.d, the eternal Father who hast created me, O G.o.d, the eternal Son who hast redeemed me, O G.o.d, the Holy Ghost who hast sanctified me in holy baptism. O eternal G.o.dhead, O perfect humanity, O holy Trinity, ever keep me ready to enter into everlasting salvation. Amen.

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