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An Evening Prayer
(Two)
By Jane Austen
Almighty God! Look down with mercy on Thy servants
here assembled and accept the petitions now offered up unto Thee. Pardon
oh! God the offences of the past day. We are conscious of many frailties;
we remember with shame and contrition, many evil thoughts and neglected
duties; and we have perhaps sinned against Thee and against our fellow-creatures
in many instances of which we have no remembrance. Pardon oh God! whatever
thou has seen amiss in us, and give us a stronger desire of resisting every
evil inclination and weakening every habit of sin. Thou knowest the infirmity
of our nature, and the temptations which surround us.
Be Thou merciful, oh Heavenly Father! to creatures
so formed and situated. We bless Thee for every comfort of our past and
present existence, for our health of body and of mind and for every other
source of happiness which Thou hast bountifully bestowed on us and with
which we close this day, imploring their continuance from Thy Fatherly
goodness, with a more grateful sense of them, than they have hither to
excited. May the comforts of every day, be thankfully felt by us, may they
prompt a willing obedience of Thy commandments and a benevolent spirit
toward every fellow-creature.
Have mercy oh gracious Father! upon all that are
now suffering from whatsoever cause, that are in any
circumstance of danger or distress. Give them patience
under every affliction, strengthen, comfort and
relieve them.
To Thy goodness we commend ourselves this night beseeching
Thy protection of us through its darkness and dangers. We are helpless
and dependent; graciously preserve us. For all whom we love and value,
for every friend and connection, we equally pray; however divided and far
asunder, we know that we are alike before Thee, and under Thine eye. May
we be equally united in Thy faith and fear, in fervent devotion towards
Thee, and in Thy merciful protection this night. Pardon oh Lord! the imperfections
of these our prayers, and accept them through the mediation of our Blessed
Saviour, in whose Holy words, we further address Thee.
Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it
is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
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