第2章

ContentsForSuccessForGraceAtMorningEveningAnotherForEveningInTimeofRainAnotherinTimeofRainBeforeaTemporarySeparationForFriendsFortheFamilySundayForSelf—BlameForSelf—ForgetfulnessForRenewalofJoyFORSUCCESS

LORD,beholdourfamilyhereassembled.WethankTheeforthisplaceinwhichwedwell;forthelovethatunitesus;forthepeaceaccordedusthisday;forthehopewithwhichweexpectthemorrow;

forthehealth,thework,thefood,andthebrightskies,thatmakeourlivesdelightful;forourfriendsinallpartsoftheearth,andourfriendlyhelpersinthisforeignisle.Letpeaceaboundinoursmallcompany.Purgeoutofeveryheartthelurkinggrudge.

Giveusgraceandstrengthtoforbearandtopersevere.Offenders,giveusthegracetoacceptandtoforgiveoffenders.Forgetfulourselves,helpustobearcheerfullytheforgetfulnessofothers.

Giveuscourageandgaietyandthequietmind.Sparetousourfriends,softentousourenemies.Blessus,ifitmaybe,inallourinnocentendeavours.Ifitmaynot,giveusthestrengthtoencounterthatwhichistocome,thatwebebraveinperil,constantintribulation,temperateinwrath,andinallchangesoffortune,and,downtothegatesofdeath,loyalandlovingonetoanother.Astheclaytothepotter,asthewindmilltothewind,aschildrenoftheirsire,webeseechofTheethishelpandmercyforChrist\'ssake.

FORGRACE

GRANTthatweherebeforeTheemaybesetfreefromthefearofvicissitudeandthefearofdeath,mayfinishwhatremainsbeforeusofourcoursewithoutdishonourtoourselvesorhurttoothers,and,whenthedaycomes,maydieinpeace.Deliverusfromfearandfavour:frommeanhopesandcheappleasures.Havemercyoneachinhisdeficiency;lethimbenotcastdown;supportthestumblingontheway,andgiveatlastresttotheweary.

ATMORNING

THEdayreturnsandbringsusthepettyroundofirritatingconcernsandduties.Helpustoplaytheman,helpustoperformthemwithlaughterandkindfaces,letcheerfulnessaboundwithindustry.Giveustogoblithelyonourbusinessallthisday,bringustoourrestingbedswearyandcontentandundishonoured,andgrantusintheendthegiftofsleep.

EVENING

WEcomebeforeThee,OLord,intheendofthydaywiththanksgiving.

Ourbelovedinthefarpartsoftheearth,thosewhoarenowbeginningthelaboursofthedaywhattimeweendthem,andthosewithwhomthesunnowstandsatthepointofnoon,bless,help,console,andprosperthem.

Ourguardisrelieved,theserviceofthedayisover,andthehourcometorest.Weresignintothyhandsoursleepingbodies,ourcoldhearths,andopendoors.Giveustoawakewithsmiles,giveustolaboursmiling.Asthesunreturnsintheeast,soletourpatienceberenewedwithdawn;asthesunlightenstheworld,soletourloving—kindnessmakebrightthishouseofourhabitation.

ANOTHERFOREVENING

LORD,receiveoursupplicationsforthishouse,family,andcountry.Protecttheinnocent,restrainthegreedyandthetreacherous,leadusoutofourtribulationintoaquietland.

Lookdownuponourselvesanduponourabsentdearones.Helpusandthem;prolongourdaysinpeaceandhonour.Giveushealth,food,brightweather,andlighthearts.Inwhatwemeditateofevil,frustrateourwill;inwhatofgood,furtherourendeavours.