Frederick B. Macnutt preaches about the importance of dedicating our hearts and minds to God, seeking His guidance and strength in all our endeavors, and offering thanksgiving for His blessings and mercies. The prayers and invocations focus on surrendering to God's will, seeking His presence in all aspects of life, and growing in knowledge, love, and obedience to reflect His likeness.

181—Happiness In God O God, Who art all goodness, make me to love Thee for Thyself and my neighbour for Thee. Bless me in this life with but peace of my conscience, command of my affections, the love of Thyself and my dearest friends, and I shall be happy enough to pity Caesar. These are, O Lord, the humble desires of my most reasonable ambition, and all I dare call happiness on earth; wherein I set no ;tile or limit to Thy hand or providence. Dispose of me according to the wisdom of Thy pleasure: Thy will be done, though in my own undoing. Sir Thomas Browne 182—Gloria Glory be to the Father of mercies, the Father of men and angels, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory be to the most holy and eternal Son of God, the blessed Saviour and Redeemer of the world, the Advocate of sinners, the Prince of peace, the Head of the Church, and the mighty deliverer of all them that call upon Him. Glory be to the holy and eternal Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost the Comforter, the sanctifying and life-giving Spirit. All glory and thanks, all honour and power, all love and obedience, be to the blessed and undivided Trinity, one God Eternal. The heavens declare Thy glory, the earth confesses Thy providence, the sea manifests Thy power; and every spirit, and every understanding creature celebrates Thy greatness for ever and ever. All glory and majesty, all praises and dominion be unto Thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Jeremy Taylor 18th Week-Day Evening 183—Bible-Reading O Lord, Who hast given us the Scriptures to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths, grant that Thy Holy Spirit, Who proceedeth from Thee, may enlighten our minds and kindle our hearts, and that as Thy Son has promised, He may lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 184—Invocation O heavenly Father, the author and fountain of all truth, send, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, and lighten our understandings with the beams of Thy heavenly grace. We ask this, O merciful Father, for Thy dear Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ’s sake. Bishop Ridley 185—Faith, Hope, And Love O Lord, perfect for me that which is lacking of Thy gifts: of faith, increase my littleness of faith: of hope, stablish trembling hope: of love, kindle its smoking flax: shed abroad Thy love in my heart, withal to love Thee, my friend in Thee, mine enemy for Thee. Let me fear one thing only, the fearing aught more than Thee. Lancelot Andrewes 186—Evening O Lord, Thou keeper of Israel, which in Thy watch over Thy servants dost neither slumber nor sleep; be my keeper, and preserve me this night. O keep my soul. Archbishop Laud 187—To Almighty God, Whose glory the heavens are telling, the earth His might, and the sea His power, and Whose majesty every feeling and thinking creature everywhere proclaims: to Him belong glory, honour, might, greatness, and magnificence, now and for evermore. Liturgy of St. James 19th Week-Day Morning 188—Faith O Sweet Jesu, increase our faith daily in us more and more; that at the last, through Thy goodness, we may be made perfect and strong men in Thy holy religion, and show ourselves both before Thee and before the world truly faithful, by bringing forth plenty of good works, unto the glory and honour of Thy Name. Thomas Becon 189—Dedication Grant me, O Lord, to know that which is worth knowing, to love that which is worth loving, to praise that which pleaseth Thee most, to esteem that highly which to Thee is precious, to abhor that which in Thy sight is evil and unclean. Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of the ignorant; but with a true judgement to discern between things temporal and things spiritual, and above all else to fulfill the good pleasure of Thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thirteenth Century 190—Vision Come to us, O Lord! open the eyes of our souls, and show us the things which belong to our peace and the path of life; that we may see that, though all man’s inventions and plans come to an end, yet Thy commandment is exceeding broad — broad enough for rich and poor, for scholar, tradesman, and labourer, for our prosperity in this life and our salvation in the life to come. Charles Kingsley 191—Joy In God O Christ our God, Who art Thyself the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and didst fulfill all the ordered purpose of the Father, always fill our hearts with joy and gladness, now and for ever, world without end. Liturgy of St. Chrysostom 19th Week-Day Evening 192—Dedication Truly, O Lord, because Thou madest me, I owe unto I Thy love my whole self; because Thou didst redeem me, I owe Thee my whole self; because Thou makest me such great promises, I owe Thee my whole self, nay more, I owe unto Thy love more than myself, insomuch as Thou art greater than I, for whom Thou didst give Thyself, to whom Thou dost promise Thyself. Make me, I beseech Thee, O Lord, to taste by love that which I taste by knowledge; to perceive by affection what I perceive by understanding. I owe more than my whole self to Thee, but I have no more than this, neither can I of myself render even all this to Thee. Draw me, O Lord, into Thy love, even this whole self of mine. All that I am is Thine by creation: make it to be all Thine by love. St. Anselm 193—UNION WITH CHRIST Most loving Saviour, we would abide in Thee: make our hearts Thy dwelling-place; fill our minds with the thought and our imaginations with the picture of Thy love; take away whatever in us of selfishness or weakness hinders our hearing or obeying Thy call; teach us day by day to live closer to Thy side, which was pierced that we might live. William Temple 194—Now the God of all grace and glory send the Spirit of His Son plentifully into our hearts, that we may abound in the fruits of Godly living, to the praise of His grace, our present comfort in this life, and the eternal salvation of our souls in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Robert Sanderson 195—The Holy Trinity God the Father, Maker of men; God the Son, born amongst men; God the Holy Spirit, sanctifying men; bless, preserve, and keep us, all whom we love, and all for Whom we pray, now and for evermore. 20th Week-Day Morning 196—On Rising Into Thy Almighty hands I do here resign my body and my soul, with all the faculties Thou hast bestowed upon both. Guide Thou them in the works of Thy law; turn my eyes from all transitory objects to the things which are eternal, and from the cares and pride of this world (as Thou hast said) to the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field. Henry Vaughan 197—Seeking God Lord, Thou art in me and shalt never be lost out of me, but I am not near Thee till I have found Thee. Nowhere need I run to seek Thee, but within me where already Thou art. Thou art the treasure hidden within me: draw me therefore to Thee that I may find Thee and serve and possess Thee for ever. After Walter Hilton 198—The Knowledge Of God O God, let me know Thee and love Thee so that I may rejoice in Thee. And if I cannot know Thee, love Thee, rejoice in Thee fully in this life, let me go forward from day to day, until that knowledge, joy, and love at last may be full. Let the knowledge of Thee grow in me here, and there be made full; let the love of Thee increase in me here and there be full; so that my joy may here be great in hope and there full in fruition. St. Anselm 199—Service Inspire and strengthen us, O Lord God, by Thy Holy Spirit, to seek Thy will and uphold Thine honour in all things; in the purity and joy of our homes, in the trust and fellowship of our common life, in daily service of the good; after the pattern and in the power of Thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. E. Milner-White 20th Week-Day Evening 200—Bible-Reading O Lord, Who hast given unto us Thy word of truth: quicken within us an increasing love of Thy revelation of Thyself; and grant that, delighting daily to exercise ourselves therein, and bringing forth fruit as trees of Thy planting, we may be nourished by the waters of Thy grace and daily be ripening unto everlasting life. Mozarabic 201—Dedication Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all I the benefits which Thou hast given to me, for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly. St. Richard 202—Thanksgiving: Agnus Dei O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world: Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father: Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost art most high in the glory of God the Father. Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power. and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come. Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. After Lancelot Andrews 21st Week-Day Morning 203—God Our Satisfaction O God, the true and only life, in Whom and from Whom and by Whom are all good things that are good indeed; from Whom to be turned is to fall, to Whom to turn is to rise again; in Whom to abide is to dwell for ever, from Whom to depart is to die; to Whom to come again is to revive, and in Whom to lodge is to live: take away from me whatsoever Thou wilt, so that Thou give me only Thyself. Thomas Dekker 204—Daily Work Almighty God, give us grace to do the work to which Thou hast called us with reverence and Godly fear, not with eye-service as pleasers of men, but in singleness of heart as in Thy sight. Direct, we beseech Thee, all our thoughts, words, and deeds, with the help of Thy Holy Spirit; that we may set Thy will ever before us, and turn away from vanity and self-seeking, and give ourselves wholly unto Thee to spend and be spent in Thy service; through Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. 205—The Inward Christ Lord, let it be my care so to behave myself, through the help of Christ, that I may receive Thee, my most holy Lord, that Thou mayest not only be my guest, but mayest abide with me for ever. Archbishop Laud 206—Thanksgiving Thanks be to Thee, O God, thanks be to Thee, O true and undivided Trinity, O Verity, One and Three, O Unity, Three and One. Thanks be to Thee, O God the Father, Who hast both manifested Thy Son unto me, and given Him to be my teacher: O grant likewise that He may be so for ever, according to Thy mercies of old time. Archbishop Laud 21st Week-Day Evening 207—O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work done. Then, Lord, in Thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, and holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Unknown 208—Zeal And Obedience Deliver me, O God, from a slothful mind, from all lukewarmness, and all dejection of spirit. I know these cannot but deaden my love to Thee; mercifully free my heart from them, and give me a lively, zealous, active, and cheerful spirit; that I may vigorously perform whatever Thou commandest, thankfully suffer whatever Thou choosest for me, and be ever ardent to obey in all things Thy holy love. John Wesley 209—Love Of Christ Set our hearts on fire with love to Thee, O Christ our God, that in that flame we may love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength, and our neighbours as ourselves; so that, keeping Thy commandments, we may glorify Thee, the giver of all good gifts. Eastern Orthodox 210—Thanksgiving O God, Who hast given us life and all things good in this world: Thou hast created us for Thy service, and when we have forsaken Thee in our wanderings Thou hast sought us out; Thou hast vouchsafed to us the precious treasure of Thy Gospel; Thou hast ordained that we should be born in the bosom of Thy Church; Thou hast revealed to us Thy exceeding great mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord; Thou hast borne with us in our rebellions, raised us up from our falls, comforted us in our sorrows. For all these gifts of Thy grace, and for Thy benefits which we remember not, we Thine unworthy servants do give Thee thanks, and bless thy holy Name. Eugene Bersier 22nd Week-Day Morning 211—We pray Thee, Lord, Who art the author and giver of light, that Thou wouldest banish from us this day the shadows of evil, and shed upon us the bright beams of Thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gelasian Sacramentary 212—Love Of God My God, I desire to love Thee perfectly: with all my heart which Thou madest for Thyself, with all my mind which only Thou canst satisfy, with all my soul which fain would soar to Thee, with all my strength, my feeble strength, which shrinks before so great a task, and yet can choose naught else but spend itself in loving Thee. Claim Thou my heart, fill Thou my mind, uplift my soul, and reinforce my strength, that where I fail Thou mayest succeed in me, and make me love Thee perfectly. Bishop Frere 213—Daily Work O renew our spirits and draw our hearts unto Thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden, but a delight; and give us such a mighty love to Thee as may sweeten our obedience. O let us not serve Thee with the spirit of bondage as slaves, but with cheerfulness and gladness, delighting ourselves in Thee and rejoicing in Thy work. Benjamin Jenks 214—Loyalty To Conviction Heavenly Father, the Father of all wisdom, understanding, and true strength, we beseech Thee look mercifully upon Thy servants, and send Thy Holy Spirit into their hearts, that when they must join to fight in the field for the glory of Thy holy Name, then they, strengthened with the defense of Thy right hand, may manfully stand in the confession of Thy faith, and continue in the same unto their lives’ end. Bishop Ridley 215—Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and fiches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12 22nd Week-Day Evening 216—Bible-Reading O Lord and lover of men, let the pure light of the knowledge of Thee shine forth in our hearts, and open the eyes of our understanding that we may enter into the meaning of the proclamation of Thy Gospel. Plant in us also the fear of Thy holy commandments, that we may trample underfoot all carnal lusts, and seek our citizenship which is in heaven, and think and do always such things as please Thee. For Thou, O Christ our God, art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, and to Thee do we give glory, with Thine unbegotten Father and Thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Liturgy of St. Chrysostom 217—Peace Inward And Outward We heartily beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to deliver us from adversity to the body and from all noxious things which tempt and beset the soul: and as Thou dost mercifully ordain that we may dwell in outward tranquility, so grant to us also Thine inward peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 218—Evening May the Almighty God take me, my family, my relations, my friends, my benefactors, and my enemies, under His gracious protection; give His holy angels charge concerning us; preserve us from the prince and powers of darkness, and from the dangers of the night; and keep us in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bishop Thomas Wilson 219—To the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, to the humanity of Jesus Christ crucified, glory infinitely be given of every creature, world without end. The Primer 23rd Week-Day Morning 220—Invocation O Eternal God, the great Father of spirits, the great lover of souls, Who didst send Thy Holy Spirit upon Thy Church in the day of Pentecost, and hast promised that He shall abide with Thy Church for ever: let Thy Holy Spirit lead us into all truth, defend us from all sin, enrich us with His gifts, refresh us with His comforts, rule in our hearts for ever, conduct us with His truth, and lead us in the way everlasting; that we living by Thy Spirit, and walking in Him, may by Him be sealed up to the day of our redemption. O let Thy Spirit witness to our spirits that we are the children of God, and make us to be so for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Jeremy Taylor 221—Daily Work Protect us, O Lord, and prosper us as we labour in our vocations, that our work may be done with Thy blessing and be crowned with Thine approval; through Him Who was numbered among the craftsmen, Jesus Christ our Lord. 222—Morning O Thou, Who sendest forth light and createst the dawn, making Thy sun to shine upon the evil and on the good: enlighten the blindness of our hearts by the knowledge of Thy truth, and lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us; that in Thy light we may see light and behold at length in the light of grace that light of glory everlasting; and save us, good Lord. 223—To the only God invisible, the Father of truth, Who sent forth unto us the Saviour and Prince of immortality, through Whom also He made manifest unto us the truth and the heavenly life, to Him be the glory for ever and ever. Early Christian Church 23rd Week-Day Everning 224—God Our Life Let me ever hold communion with Thee, my hidden but my living God. Thou art in my innermost heart: Thou art the life of my life: every breath I breathe, every thought of my mind, every good desire of my heart, is from the presence within me of the unseen God. By nature and by grace Thou art in me: I see Thee not in the material world except dimly, but I recognize Thy voice in my own intimate consciousness; I turn round and say, Rabboni. O be ever thus with me; and if I am tempted to leave Thee, do not Thou, O my God, leave me. Cardinal Newman 225—The Knowledge Of God Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive Thee, intellect to understand Thee, diligence to seek Thee, patience to wait for Thee, vision to behold Thee, a heart to meditate upon Thee, and life to proclaim Thee. St. Benedict 226—Dependence Upon God Preserve me Thy servant from all evil, lead me into all good; change my sorrows into comforts, my infirmity into spiritual strength; take all iniquity from me, and let Thy servant never depart from Thee. I am Thine, O save me; I am Thine, sanctify me and preserve me for ever; that neither life nor death, health nor sickness, prosperity nor adversity, weakness within nor cross accidents without, may ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jeremy Taylor 227—God And Our Friends The God of all love, Who is the source of our affection for each other formed here, take our friendships into His own keeping, that they may continue and increase throughout life and beyond it. William Temple 24th Week-Day Morning 228—Invocation O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art in all places, and finest all things, the treasure of blessings, and giver of life, come and abide in us. Cleanse us from all impurity, and of Thy goodness save our souls. Eastern Orthodox 229—God Transcendent O Thou, Who fillest heaven and earth, ever acting, ever at rest, Who art everywhere and everywhere art wholly present, Who art not absent even when far off, Who with Thy whole being fillest yet transcendest all things, Who teachest the hearts of the faithful without the din of words; teach us, we pray Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. St. Augustine 230—Seeking God Lord, I have sought Thy face; Thy face, Lord, will I seek; O hide not Thou Thy face from me. Raise me up out of myself unto Thee. Cleanse, heal, quicken, enlighten the eye of my mind that it may look unto Thee. Grant that my soul may collect its strength once more, and with all the power of my understanding strive after Thee, O Lord. Surely Thou art life and wisdom, and truth, and goodness, and blessedness, and eternity, and everything that is truly good. St. Anselm 231—Daily Work O God, Who movest in love unceasing, and dost give to each man his appointed work: help us steadfastly, and as in Thy sight, to fulfill the duties of our calling; that when our Lord shall take account of us, we may be found faithful in that which is least, and enter into His eternal joy. 232—Strength And Tasks O Lord, I do not pray for tasks equal to my strength: I ask for strength equal to my tasks. Phillips Brooks 24th Week-Day Evening 233—Bible-Reading Blessed Lord, by Whose providence all Holy Scriptures were written and preserved for our instruction: give us grace to study them each day with patience and love; strengthen our souls with the fullness of their divine teaching; keep from us all pride and irreverence; guide us in the deep things of Thy heavenly wisdom; and, of Thy great mercy, lead us by Thy Word into everlasting life. Bishop Westcott 234—The Inward Christ O merciful Jesus, Who when Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb; vouchsafe evermore to dwell in the hearts of us Thy servants; inspire us with Thy purity; strengthen us with Thy might; make us perfect in Thy ways; guide us into Thy truth; and unite us to Thyself and to Thy whole Church by Thy holy mysteries; that we may conquer every adverse power, and be wholly devoted to Thy service and conformed to Thy will; to the glory of God the Father. From the French 235—Purity Almighty God, Who hast made our bodies to be temples of Thy Spirit: reveal, we beseech Thee, in Thy servants Thy manifold gifts of grace; that living in Thy love and fear, they may be purified from the corruption that is in the world, and attain to dwell in the blessed fellowship of Thine eternal Kingdom. Unknown 236—ENLIGHTENMENT O Lord Jesus Christ, Who knowest the Father, even as Thou art known of Him, lead us onward evermore in the knowledge of Thee Who art the truth, till at last we see Thy face, and know Thee as we are known of Thee; Who with ;he Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God for ever and ever. J. R. Illingworth 25th Week-Day Morning 237—Morning Give ear, O Lord, in this morning hour to the prayers of Thy servants, and mercifully uncover and heal the secret evils of our hearts; that no dark desires may possess us whom Thou hast enlightened with Thy heavenly grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gelasian Sacramentary 238—Invocation Help us, O Holy Spirit, Giver of life and love, to be always so mindful of the love from whence we came, that we may learn more and more the love to which we go: and in this love abounding, daily abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord. E. Milner-White 239—Service My God, my heart is set on serving Thee. To serve the world is hard, unsatisfying, but to serve Thee is perfect joy and liberty. My God, my heart is set on serving Thee. Here would I consecrate to Thee and to Thy cause each faculty and power which Thou hast given me: of intellect or learning, of heart or sympathy, of spiritual fervour, of influence or guidance: all come from Thee, all shall revert to Thee: I only have the use of them and that I give to Thee. Wake all and use it for Thy holy purposes, use me to glorify Thee. Bishop Frere 240—All Sorts And Conditions God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, and to all mankind, peace and concord; and to us, and all His servants, life everlasting. Elizabethan 241—O Lord, forgive what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Unknown 25th Week-Day Evening 242—Bible-Reading O Lord, Who hast given us Thy holy Word that it may be to us a light upon the path of life: grant us after the example of Thy saints so to search the Scriptures that we may daily increase in the knowledge of Thy truth, and find in them the light that shineth more and more unto Thy perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 243—Consuming Love O God our Judge and Saviour, set before us the vision of Thy purity, and let us see our sins in the light of Thy countenance; pierce our self-contentment with the shafts of Thy burning love, and let love consume in us all that hinders us from perfect service of Thy cause; for as Thy holiness is our judgement, so are Thy wounds our salvation. William Temple 244—Thanksgiving Most worthy art Thou, O good and gracious God, of all praise, even for Thine own sake which exceedeth all things in holiness. By Thee only we are hallowed and made holy. As our duty continually bids us, we praise Thee for our glorious redemption, purchased for us in Thy dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Give us therefore the Holy Spirit to govern us. And grant that all things that breathe with life may praise Thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. The Iona Books 245—Enlargement We beseech Thee, O Lord, to set our feet in a large place, where hearts are made pure by faith in Thee, and faces are turned to the light; where all are one in Thee, and no narrow walls between man and man destroy the unity Thou hast made in the Spirit of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Unknown 26th Week-Day Morning 246—Dedication Lord, Who hast given all for us: help us to give all for Thee. G. W. Briggs 247—Against Apathy O God, Who art man’s sovereign good, and dost seek the love of Thy children: deliver us from sloth in Thy work and coldness in Thy cause; rekindle in us love by our looking unto Thee, and by our waiting upon Thee renew our strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 248—Thanksgiving O Eternal and most blessed Saviour Jesus, Thou art the bright morning star, and the sun of righteousness; Thou dost enlighten our eyes with Thy beauties, and our hearts with Thy comfort and with the joys of God; Thou art the fountain of health and life, of peace and truth, of rest and holiness; Thou givest to them that want, Thou comfortest them that suffer, Thou forgivest them that repent, and hearest the prayers of all them that call upon Thee; we adore Thee and praise Thy glories and rejoice in Thy salvation, and give Thee thanks for Thy blessing and defending us, from all the evils which we have deserved every day, and from all the violences and snares by which the enemy of mankind would have hurt us, or destroyed us, unless he had been restrained by Thy eternal goodness and Thy Almighty power. Blessed be God. Jeremy Taylor 249 For Grace May the grace of the Lord Jesus sanctify us and keep us from all evil; may He drive far from us all hurtful things, and purify both our souls and bodies; may He bind us to Himself by the bond of love, and may His peace abound in our hearts. Gregorian Sacramentary 26th Week-Day Evening 250—The Cross Fence me about, O Lord, with the power of Thine honourable and life-giving Cross, and preserve me from every evil. Eastern Orthodox 251—Unselfishness Grant us grace, O Father, not to pass by suffering or joy without eyes to see; give us understanding and sympathy, and guard us from selfishness, that we may enter into the joys and sufferings of others; use us to gladden and strengthen those who are weak and suffering; that by our lives we may help others to believe and serve Thee, and shed forth Thy light which is the light of life. H. R. L. Sheppard 252—Thanksgiving O Thou light of my heart, Thou bread of my inmost soul, thanks be to Thee, my joy and my glory, my confidence and my God, thanks be to Thee for Thy gifts. Preserve them to me, for so wilt Thou preserve me myself, and those things shall be enlarged and perfected which Thou hast given me, and I myself shall be with Thee, Who didst give me being. ... O Lord, my God, I lay my whole heart upon the altar of Thy praise, a whole burnt-offering of praise I offer to Thee. Let the flame of Thy love set afire my whole heart; let nothing in me be left to myself, nothing wherein I may look to myself; but may I burn wholly before Thee. Lord, let Thy fire consume all that is mine: let all be Thine. St. Augustine 253—Before Any Undertaking O Lord Jesus Christ, only-begotten Son of Thine eternal Father, Thou hast said that without Thee we can do nothing. O Lord, I embrace with faith and with my whole heart and soul what Thou hast said. Help me, a sinner, to finish the work which I now undertake for Thee; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Eastern Orthodox 27th Week-Day Morning 254—Invocation Lord my God, call me, that I may come to Thee: fix me, that I may not leave Thee. St. Augustine 255—Dedication Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to Thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly Thine, utterly dedicated unto Thee; and then use us, we pray Thee, as Thou wilt, but always to Thy glory and the welfare of Thy people, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. William Temple 256—Love Of God O God, which dost infuse the gifts of charity into the hearts of the faithful through the grace of Thy Holy Ghost: grant unto Thy servants, both men and women, for whom we pray unto Thy mercy, health of body and soul, that they may love Thee with all their power and perform with all love the things that may be pleasing to Thee; by Christ our Lord. The Primer 257—Thanksgiving Accept, O Lord God, our Father, the sacrifices of our thanksgiving; this, of praise, for Thy great mercies already afforded to us; and this, of prayer, for the continuance and enlargement of them; this, of penitence, for such only recompense as our sinful can endeavour; and this, of the love of our hearts, as the only gift Thou dost ask or desire; and all these, through the all-holy and atoning sacrifice Of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Saviour. Derived from John Donne 258—Almighty and most merciful God, grant, we beseech Thee, that by the indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for Thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. American Prayer Book 27th Week-Day Evening 259—Thanksgiving Thine own praise, O my God, Thou Thyself art; nor canst Thou worthily be praised by any other than Thyself; for of all things Thou art the maker and ruler; and from Thee do all things come, Whose excellence and Whose works declare the glory of Thy Name. Ever therefore shouldst Thou be praised and blessed by every creature. May then, O my God, Thine own incomprehensible Essence, Thine own unspeakable almightiness, Thine own unsearchable wisdom, Thine own unutterable sweetness, Thine own boundless tenderness, praise Thee! Praise Thee Thy supreme goodness, Thy surpassing mercy, Thy eternal power also, and Thy transcendent majesty! Praise Thee Thy infallible truth, Thy unchangeable equity, Thy inextinguishable light, Thy knowledge from which no secrets are hid, Thy own unapproachable Substance! Praise Thee Thy unerring justice, Thy all-wise providence, Thy most calm governance, and Thy unconquerable power! Praise Thee Thy infinite dignity, Thy supreme loving-kindness, Thy all-surpassing sweetness, Thy peerless beauty, and Thy all-excelling charity! May every name that can be used of Thee, and every word that can be spoken of Thee, praise Thee and magnify Thee for ever. Thomas à Kempis 260—Against Coldness Of Heart O My sweet Saviour Christ, which in Thine undeserved love towards mankind so kindly wouldst suffer the painful death of the Cross, suffer not me to be cold nor lukewarm in love again towards Thee. Sir Thomas More 261—Purity Lord Jesu Christ, Whose property is ever to be merciful, which art alway pure and clean without spot of sin: grant us the grace to follow Thee in mercifulness toward our neighbours, and always to bear a pure heart and a clean conscience toward Thee, that we may after this life see Thee in Thy everlasting glory: which livest and reignest world without end. The Primer 28th Week-Day Morning 262—Lord, let me not live to be useless. John Wesley 263—Invocation O Holy Spirit the Comforter, Spirit of Jesus, come Thou upon us and dwell within us. Not of ourselves, but of Thee is our life. Teach us that we may know; cleanse us and purify us within; strengthen us to persevere, lest we fall away from Thee. Come into us, Thou Who art already there, that by Thine arrival again Thou mayest enter into Thy possession anew. And out of worldly death in which we languish create in us the life that shall make us as Thou art, through inward unity in which we are one with Thee. Come, then, eternal Spirit, Who with the Father and the Son art one God, and abide with us for ever. Frederick B. Macnutt 264—Thanksgiving For these Thy most bounteous gifts, and for all other Thy benefits which Thou daily givest unto us of Thy great mercy both for our body and soul; we most humbly thank Thee, most gentle and merciful Father, beseeching Thee that Thou wilt give us grace through Thy Holy Spirit not to be unthankful, but to walk worthy of this Thy kindness, and so to behave ourselves all our lifetime in this world according to Thy holy will, that at the last day we may be found in the number of them to whom Thy only-begotten Son shall say: Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world; through the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Thomas Becon 265—Forbearance Lord, give me that grace that I may hold me still by Thee, and abide patiently upon Thee; that I may not grieve myself at the man whose way doth prosper, nor against him that doth after evil counsels; that I may leave off from wrath and let go displeasure, lest I fret myself, and be moved to do evil. Archbishop Laud 28th Week-Day Evening 266—God Within God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at mine end, and at my departing. Sarum Primer 267—Bible-Reading Almighty and most merciful God, Who hast given the Bible to be the revelation of Thy great love to man, and of Thy power and will to save him: grant that our study of it may not be made in vain by the callousness or carelessness of our hearts, but that by it we may be confirmed in penitence, lifted to hope, made strong for service, and, above all; filled with the true knowledge of Thee and of Thy Son Jesus Christ. George Adam Smith 268—Seeking God Eternal God, Who hast been the hope and joy of generations, and in all ages hast given men the power to seek Thee and in seeking to find Thee: grant me I pray Thee, a clearer vision of Thy truth, a greater faith in Thy power, and a more confident assurance of Thy love. If I cannot find Thee, let me search my heart and know whether it is not rather I that am blind – than Thou Who art obscure, and I who am fleeing from Thee rather than Thou from me; and let me confess these my sins before Thee, and seek Thy pardon in Jesus Christ my Lord. John Baillie 269—Gloria Glory be to Thee, O God, the Father, the Maker of the world: Glory be to Thee, O God, the Son, the Redeemer of mankind: Glory be to Thee, O God, the Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier of Thy people. Bishop Westcott 29th Week-Day Morning 270—Morning O Good Christ, our most gracious Redeemer, grant that as Thou dost mercifully raise up this my body, even so I beseech Thee, raise up my mind and heart to the true knowledge and love of Thee, that my conversation may be in heaven, where Thou art; to the glory of Thy Name. Henry Bull 271—Service Grant, O Lord, that this mind may be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who left the heaven of Thy holiness and of Thy glory that He might take upon Him our sins and our sorrows, and seek and save that which was lost. Stir the hearts of Thy people that they may multiply their labours in the cause of charity and love, that they may minister to the wants of others, and by their good works lead many to glorify our Father Who is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. C. J. Vaughan 272—Thanksgiving O God, we thank Thee for Thy great mercies: for preserving us, for our food and raiment, for our interests and comforts, for all that makes this present life to be desired, but above all, for our place in Thy family by redemption, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Praise be to Thee for the Incarnation of Jesus: praise be to Thee for the obedience of Jesus: praise be to Thee for the Blood of Jesus; for He is ours, and He is Thine, and we are His. He is our sacrifice, and Thy satisfaction; our glorious head, and Thine only-begotten Son; our intercessor, and Thy beloved; our merciful High Priest, and Thine anointed King. Henry Alford 273—Unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21 29th Week-Day Evening 274—Evening Visit, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy; let Thy holy angels dwell in it to preserve us in peace, and may Thy blessing be upon us evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Office of Compline 275—Dedication O Emmanuel, O Wisdom, I give myself to Thee, I trust Thee wholly. Thou art wiser than I, more loving to me than I myself: deign to fulfill Thy high purposes in me, whatever they be. Work in and through me: I am born to serve Thee, to be Thine, to be Thine instrument. Let me be Thy blind instrument. I ask not to see, I ask not to know, I ask simply to be used. Cardinal Newman 276—Thanksgiving We give Thee humble and hearty thanks, O most merciful Father, for all Thy goodness and lovingkindness to us and to all men, for the blessings of this life and for the promise of everlasting happiness. And as we are bound, we specially thank Thee for the mercies which we have received; for health and strength, for outward prosperity and wellbeing, for the manifold enjoyments of our daily life, and the hope of the future; for the opportunities of learning, for the knowledge of Thy will, for the means of serving Thee in Thy holy Church, for the love which Thou hast revealed to us in Thy Son, our Saviour; for every blessing of soul and body, we thank Thee, O God. Add this, O Lord, to Thy other mercies that we may praise Thee not with our lips only, but with our lives, always looking to Thee as the author and giver of all good things; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Bishop Westcott 277—Save us, O Lord, waking; guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Office of Compline 30th Week-Day Morning 278—O Lord Jesu Christ, be Thou the beginning and the end of all this day; the pattern Whom I am to copy, the Redeemer in Whom is my strength, the Master Whom I am to serve, the Friend to Whom I may look for comfort and sympathy. May I fix my eyes on Thee as my help, my aim, the centre of my being, my everlasting friend. O Thou Who hast so looked on me that I may see Thee, set Thine eyes upon me, I beseech Thee. Steady my unsteadfastness, unite me to Thyself, and guide me in whatever path Thou seest fit to lead me, till of Thine infinite mercy Thou wilt bring me to Thine eternal presence in Paradise. Edward Bouverie Pusey 279–Adoration We praise Thy divine power and glory, O God: the Father, Who createst all things from everlasting to everlasting; the Son, our Saviour and Redeemer; the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Comforter. We praise Thee, that Thou judgest the earth in righteousness: we praise Thee, that Thou waitest for us with Thine eternity: we praise Thee, Who wilt bring all things to an end: we praise Thee, Who wilt finish what Thou hast begun. Help us, Thy children, O Lord, and enlarge our hope. We travel towards Thee to meet Thee, and we wait for Thy day. Thy kingdom come. From the German 280—Service Almighty God, Who hast enabled Thy faithful soldiers and servants to play the man, to endure hardness, to love mercy, to fight the good fight of faith, and to refuse no service in the Name of Christ: grant unto us whom Thou hast called to serve under our Saviour’s banner a single heart to spend and to be spent for Thee and for those whom He has loved even unto death; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 30th Week-Day Evening 281—Evening Look down, O Lord, from Thy heavenly throne, and illuminate the darkness of this night with Thy celestial brightness, and from the sons of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Office of Compline 282—Bible-Reading O gracious God and most merciful Father, which hast vouchsafed us the rich and precious jewel of Thy holy Word: assist us with Thy Spirit that it may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to Thine own image, to build us up, and edify us into the perfect building of Thy Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Geneva Bible 283—Dedication Into Thy hands, Almighty Father, Who dost will peace and purpose loving-kindness, we commend our spirits: our minds to know Thee, our hearts to love Thee, our wills to serve Thee, for we are Thine. Into Thy hands, Incarnate Saviour, Who hast taught us that Thou art the way, the truth, and the life, do Thou receive us and draw us after Thee, that we may follow Thy steps. enlighten and guide us, lest the night of sin and error overwhelm us; abide in us and quicken us by the power of Thine indwelling. Into Thy hands, O Lord the Spirit, Who createst good and destroyest evil, do Thou take us and fashion us after Thine image; let Thy comfort strengthen, Thy grace renew, and Thy fire cleanse us. Soul and body, in life and in death, in this world of shadows and in Thy changeless world of light eternal, now and for ever, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into Thy hands. Frederick B. Macnutt 284—Invocation The God of peace and love vouchsafe alway to dwell with us: and Thou, Lord, have mercy upon us. The Primer 31st Week-Day Morning 285—Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and I all who are dear to us this day. Be with us in our going out and in our coming in. Strengthen us for the work which Thou hast given us to do. And grant that, filled with Thy Holy Spirit, we may walk worthy of our high calling, and cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bishop F. T. Woods 286—Service O Lord, our heavenly Father, Whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto but to minister: we beseech Thee to bless all those who follow in His steps and give themselves to the service of their fellowmen. Endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, to strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall; that being inspired by Thy love, they may worthily minister in Thy Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of Him Who laid down His life for us, the same Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. American Prayer Book 287—Veni, Creator Come, Holy Spirit of God, inspire the hearts of them that believe in Thee, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. The Primer 288—Adoration Holy art Thou, O God the Father, Who hast made of one blood all nations of the earth. Holy art Thou, O God the Son, Who hast redeemed all mankind from the power of darkness. Holy art Thou, O God the Holy Spirit, giver of life and light, by Whom the whole Church is governed and sanctified. Holy art Thou, O God the eternal and adorable Trinity, for Whose glory man and all created things are, and were created. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 31st Week-Day Evening 289—Pure Intention Grant me, gracious Lord, a pure intention of my heart, and a steadfast regard to Thy glory in all my actions. Possess my mind continually with Thy presence, and ravish it with Thy love, that my only delight may be, to be embraced in the arms of Thy protection. Bishop Cosin 290—Knowledge, Love, Obedience O God our Father, Who hast made us in Thine own image, with a mind to understand Thy works, a heart to love Thee, and a will to serve Thee: increase in us that knowledge, love, obedience, that we may grow daily in Thy likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. G. W. Briggs 291—Thanksgiving It is meet and right, holy and becoming, and helpful to our souls, to worship Thee Who art the I AM, Lord God, Father Almighty; to hymn Thee, to give thanks to Thee, openly to confess Thee, by night and by day, with mouth unceasing, and lips that are never silent, and unresting heart: Thee Who hast made the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is therein; Thee Who didst make man after Thine own image and likeness, and freely gayest him the delights of paradise, and didst not reject nor forsake him when he transgressed, O good God; but Thou didst recall him by the law and educate him by the prophets, and reform and renew him by Thine aweful, and life-giving, and heavenly mystery. All these things Thou didst by Thy wisdom, the true light, Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by Whom we render thanks to Thee with Him and the Holy Spirit ... from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, from the north and from the south, because Thy Name is great among all peoples, and in every place incense and a pure sacrifice are offered to Thy holy Name. Liturgy of St. Mark