ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the
Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,
and hast promised that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; we
approach Thee in the name of Him who is the one Mediator, the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.
We praise and magnify Thy holy name for Thy distinguishing goodness
towards us as inhabitants of this Christian land, and members of a
Reformed and scriptural Church. [We adore Thy grace in that wonderful
interposition of Thy Providence, by which our fathers were rescued from
the yoke of superstitious bondage, and taught to serve Thee in spirit and
in truth.]
But we confess that we have not rendered again according to the benefit
we have received. We have neither prized nor improved our privileges as
we ought. [We have sinned, and our fathers have sinned, and we have
reason to fear lest there should be wrath upon us and upon our people,
and lest Thou shouldest pour out the spirit of slumber and delusion upon
us.] Yet Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy.
Remember not our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers. Turn us
again, O Lord God of hosts; cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be
saved.
Direct our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit. Give us understanding of
the times to know what we ought to do. Let Thy merciful help especially
prevent and follow us as members of this Society. May we begin,
continue, and end everything in Thee. [Let us not contend for names and
words, but for Thy glory, and the truth of Thy Gospel.] Grant us a
simple love of the truth, and an experimental acquaintance with it. [Let
us not be “carried about with divers and strange doctrines,” but let our
hearts be “established with grace.”]
And let us not only believe with the heart, but with the mouth make
confession. With meekness of wisdom may we ever be ready to defend our
principles and to protest against error. Let us unite holy zeal,
boldness, and stedfastness, with a spirit of genuine charity. Grant us a
right judgment in all things, Christian unanimity in our counsels, and
perseverance in well-doing. [Keep us humble, depending entirely upon the
promised grace and help of Thy Holy Spirit, and watchful, as those who
are not ignorant of the devices of Satan.]
Raise up, we earnestly entreat Thee, champions for the truth; revive in
our days the spirit of the martyrs and reformers of old. Spare to Thy
Church those who are zealous for Thee. May the faithful never fail from
among us, but let the rising youth be trained to walk in the good old
paths.
And as Thou hast commanded prayers and intercessions to be made for all
men, we beseech Thee for our sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, [that she
may ever be mindful of the responsibilities of her office and the
obligation of her oath. Bless abundantly] the Ministers of State.
[Guide] and [govern] the senate of our land. [Strengthen and encourage
those Protestant Representatives who are faithful to Thy cause; increase
their influence, and add to their numbers. Pour out Thy Spirit upon all
estates of the realm, the clergy and the laity, the rich and the poor.
May they strive together, as members of one body, for the common faith.
Let it please Thee to comfort and succour all oppressed Protestants, and
confessors of the truth, enabling them to forgive their enemies, and to
maintain their own stedfastness.] And very earnestly do we beseech Thee
to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived.
Strengthen such as do stand, and raise up them that fall.
[Finally, we commend ourselves and the work of our hands unto Thee,
entreating Thee to accept our persons and our services, not weighing our
merits, but pardoning our offences; and so to overrule all events,—nay,
even the errors and infirmities of Thy servants,—to the advancement of
Thy glory, and the good of Thy Church, that truth and liberty, piety and
peace, may be established among us to all generations.]
These and all other mercies we humbly beg in the name and mediation of
JESUS CHRIST, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.