Eternal God, behold, I now journey upon the deep, and commit myself to
the wild, rough sea; here on the waters I am tossed to and fro between
heaven and earth, how shall this little ship, small and weak in
structure, which cannot protect itself, protect me? On whom then shall I,
wretched man, put my trust? Alas, O God and Lord, alone upon Thee and Thy
fatherly power and care, for neither man nor any of Thy creatures can
save me. The wind bloweth whithersoever it will, the sea lifts up its
waves, beneath me I see neither ground nor foundation, and above the lone
heavens. The men who assist me are in like danger and care; wherefore, O
God, I lift my eyes alone unto Thee, from whom cometh my help, my help
cometh from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. To Thee do I commit
myself both body and soul, life and property. Unto Thee alone do I look,
in Thee alone do I put my trust, my hope is in Thee, there is no help in
man. Bear Thou this little ship on Thy wings, and preserve me within and
be with me in the ship, else, O Lord, we perish; but if I only have Thee,
I will ask nothing of heaven or earth! Yea, while I now depart from land
and leave the same behind me, help me, to forsake and deny all confidence
in worldly and human assistance, and to commit myself unto Thee alone.
Lord, behold, I have entirely submitted to Thy will, do unto me as may
seem good in Thy sight, that it may redound to the welfare and salvation
of my soul. I commit myself into Thy hands, for Thou hast drawn me into
Thy embrace, and no one shall pluck me out of Thy hand, because I am a
member of Christ's fold, and a sheep of his pastures, wherein I will
gladly live and die by the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.