71. WOMEN WITH CHILD

The Woman with Child offers up her Morning Prayer.

EXHORTATION.

Every true Christian is bound, before going to his daily work, to commend himself to the divine protection and mercy, so that God may keep his body and his soul under his gracious care. But if every man ought thus to commend himself to the care of God, how much more ought the pregnant to do so? They have much to pray for every morning. 1. To keep them throughout the day in good and holy thoughts, so that they may think of God, always have him in their hearts, and converse with him. 2. They must commend their life and their limbs to God, that God may guard their steps, preserving them from dangerous falls or other misfortunes. 3. They must also commit the fruit of their

THE WOMAN WITH CHILD bodies to the holy providence of God, that it may grow strong and well formed, and may be filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost. 4. They must guard, particularly, throughout the day, against anger, quarrels, and strife, must not take things amiss, or be unduly exacting, nor be too easily incensed, lest their obstinacy and passion bring misfortune, disease, or even death, upon their hidden pledge. If they thus surrender themselves to the goodness and mercy of God, they have the consolation that God will set his angel over them, who will guard them in all their ways. MORNING PRAYER.

Lord God, the Father, what thou hast created; Lord God, the Son, what thou hast redeemed; Lord God, the Holy Ghost, what thou hast hallowed, I commend into thy hands. To thy holy name let honor, glory, praise and thanks be given in the morning hour, and in all eternity. Amen. O thou gracious, good, and merciful God! who art thyself the light before whom there is no change of the light and the darkness, I thank thee from the bottom of my soul, that thou hast guarded me this night so mercifully, and hast suffered me again to behold the gladsome light of morning. Oh, thou light of my soul! Shed OFFERS UP HER MORNING PRAYER.

a brighter radiance into my heart this morning, that it may strengthen my love of thee, and my hope and trust in thee. Sanctify my soul, that

I may converse with thee this day; may think of thee, rejoice in thee, and enjoy the consolation of thy bounty. Grant that I may not wilfully sin against thee this day, but may serve thee in holiness, and walk before thee in the righteousness of the children of God. Set thy most holy presence before my eyes, that I may be the more encouraged to persevere in sanctification, and not to offend thee. I commend to thee my life and limbs—my every step and tread. Thou, O

God of all goodness and mercy, hast placed me in a peculiar condition, in which I need thy particular care and assistance. Therefore I humbly beg and pray, O thou protector of thy children!

guard my going out and my coming in; let thy angel lead me by the hand, that I may not slip or fall, be wounded, or do harm to my limbs, and thereby also to the fruit of my body. Defend me, uphold me, preserve me. Drive away all that is hurtful to me, and may thy good spirit guide me on even paths. Let me live to see the close of this day under thy protection, when I will joyfully thank thee for all the benefits thy mercy has vouchsafed unto my body and my soul. Now the Lord bless me, and preserve me;

the Lord let his face shine upon me, and be

THE WOMAN WITH CHILD gracious unto me; the Lord lift up his countenance over me, and give me peace. The grace of the Father protect me, the love of Jesus cover me, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with me now and at all times. O bless me in my sleep and waking. O bless my every step and tread! Bless me in every undertaking. Pour every blessing on my head. Give me the experience of thy grace, and ne'er avert thy loving face. Amen. 1. See the gladsome morn advances

As the night retreats away,

And upon my inner senses

Jesus brings returning day.

With him I this night have slept,

With him I have vigil kept,

With him I have borne all sadness,

With him I will share all gladness.

2 Guard my steps, where'er I travel,

Jesus! send thy angels fleet—

Every danger to unravel,

E'er it grapples with my feet.

What I bear beneath my heart

Thy great goodness did impart;

Let it thrive, what thou hast given,

As I would myself have thriven.

OFFERS UP HER EVENING PRAYER

3. Keep me safe, serene, and quiet,

Let no frights disturb my peace,

And no bitter passions riot

Plunge me into fell disease.

Let thy lovely Jesus form

Comforter in every storm

Come, before my eyes to hover,

From my sight all ills to cover.

4. From my thoughts he shall not wander,

Jesus still belongs to me.

On his grace I still shall ponder,

He is mine, where'er I be.

From the morning to the night

Never will I leave his sight.

When again the evening closes,

My glad soul on him reposes.

The Woman with Child offers up her Evening Prayer.

EXHORTATION.

Oh, how great is God's bounty, whenever he permits a human being to reach the close of a day in safety; when he may say on retiring to his rest, I lie and sleep in peace! Oh what a glorious rest it is to go to bed at peace with God, at peace with conscience, in peace and comfort of body! Then may a man say in praise of the 44*

THE WOMAN WITH CHILD triune God: The Lord hath done great things with me, wherefore I rejoice. If he falls asleep with a grateful heart, and with the praise of God on his lips, his nightly rest will not lack God's blessing. In the same manner women with child, when they have safely completed the day, ought to raise their hearts, their eyes, and their lips to God, to thank God for their preservation, for his goodness and protection, and to recommend themselves to his continued care. 1. They must cry to God to preserve them from fright and accident, because sudden frights often expose pregnant woman to great danger. 2. They must beseech him to guard them from sickness and pain.

3. They must pray to him to keep the wings of his mercy constantly extended over them and the fruit of their bodies. EVENING PRAYER.

Gracious, loving, and merciful God! I appear in thy most holy presence with a happy heart. Lord, how precious is thy goodness, that men rest trustfully under the shadow of thy wings: aye, under the shadow of thy wings have I gone in and out to-day; under them have I been preserved; no misfortune has approached me, but I have reached the evening in safety. OFFERS UP HER EVENING PRAYER.

Praised be the love of our heavenly father, who has carried me in his arms as his child. Praised be Jesus Christ, my Saviour, who has led me by the hand, so that no accident could overthrow me. Praised be God, the Holy Ghost, who has not departed from me. O thou Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, remain with me this night. Spread out thy goodness, Lord! Lord! over them that know thee, and thy righteousness over the pious. Guard my body and soul from all misfortune; let me converse constantly with thee in sleep, so that I may still be with thee when I awake. Behold, I know no help but in thee, thou God of Israel. Let thy angels watch beside, and around my bed, so that nothing may be hurtful to me, and to what thou hast been pleased to bestow upon me. Drive out of my heart, all sorrows, evil thoughts, and false imaginations; drive from my bed, and from my house everything that can do me harm, or bring me suffering. Thus I lie down in the arms of my God—I sleep in the arms of my Jesus; his left hand is beneath my head, and his right hand covers me. O thou, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier! be and remain with me. Thou, triune God, art my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? Thou art the strength of my life, whom should I dread? I dread naught, because God is with THE WOMAN WITH CHILD me; I fear naught because I have Jesus near.

When it is dark around me, Jesus is the light of my soul; if fear approaches, the Holy Ghost is my comfort and assistance. Let this night pass happily under thy protection, that I may see the lovely face of the sun, saved, happy, protected and preserved! My mouth shall praise thee with joy, and thank thee for all the good thou hast done me. As often as my pulses beat this night, my spirit shall embrace thee; as often as my heart is moved, it shall be my desire to cry everywhere, with a loud voice, O Jesus,

Jesus! thou art mine, and I am thine forever.

Thus then will I fall asleep in thine arms, O

Jesus! thy providence shall be my covering, thy mercy my couch, thy breast my pillow, and my dreams the happiness flowing from the word of light, which thy spirit pours into my heart.

Amen.

HYMN

1. Though the sun remains no longer

On my path his rays to shed,

Jesus' light glows all the stronger,

Which he casts upon my bed

Say am I not well bethought,

When around my midnight cot

Jesus' hands my slumbers lighten?

Now no harm my soul can frighten.

OFFERS UP HER EVENING PRAYER.

2. All myself will I surrender

Jesus to thy guardian thought,

Bless the coming life so tender,

Thy almighty hand has wrought.

All that is so dark to me

Thy prevailing eye can see.

Thou thyself the gift hast granted

Do thou keep what thou hast planted.

3. Evening finds me very weary

And I long for sweet repose;

Jesus' voice is soft and cheery,

And his arms around me close.

Bless them all that share my home,

And the stranger soon to come;

Never, never let it perish,

In thy own fond bosom cherish.

4. Keep it safe from all disaster

Till the day return again,

And from day to day, dear Master,

Let it thrive, and know no pain.

While it rests beneath my heart

Never let thy love depart;

And if thou my love believest,

Let me see the gift thou givest!

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