FAMILY PRAYERS, FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK. SUNDAY MORNING. FROM ISAIAH. O THOU, who, as on this day, didst burst the bands of death, and rise triumphant from the grave; Thou who livest, and art alive for evermore *, assist us, a Family of sinful creatures, that we may approach acceptably the Throne of Grace, and pour out upon us, we beseech Thee, the spirit of grace and of supplications*. May this holy day, set apart, and sanctified by Thee, be a Sabbath of blessing throughout the * Rev. i. 18. + Zech. xii. 10. + Gen. ii. 3. B 1 a Isa. i. 4. b Ver. 6. c Ver. 5. d Ver. 18. world, and especially to us now gathered together before Thee, to all connected with us by the bonds of nature or affection, and to this country in general. O Lord God! we confess that we are indeed a sinful nation, a seed of evil doers; we provoke Thee, the Holy One of Israel, to anger. From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in us; the whole head is sick, the whole heart faint. Yet, O Lord, be not extreme to mark what we have done amiss; Hear, we entreat Thee, the prayers that shall this day be offered up by Thy faithful people; and O! that many may this day be turned from the power of Satan unto God*, and brought, humbled and penitent, to the foot of the Cross. Merciful God! we plead Thy precious word of encouragement, that though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. O then, soften, we pray Thee, our hard and guilty hearts. Let us no longer refuse and rebel, but be willing and • Ver. 20. 19. obedient, to follow the path that leadeth unto *Acts xxvi. 18. Eternal Life. Wash us, and make us clean in that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness. May g Ver. 17. we put away the evil of our doings from before Thee. May we cease to do evil, learn to do well. ƒ Isa. i. 16. May the loftiness of man be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men be made low, that the Lord alone may be exalted on this day". Great and terrible art Thou, O Lord, when i * Ch. ii. 17. Ch. xxx. Thou comest forth in anger+ to judge the rebellious', 1 Ch. xiii. 9. when Thou comest to ease Thee of Thine adversaries, to avenge Thee of Thine enemies. Then Ch. i. 24. shall the strong be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them'. O let Thy threatened judgements awaken sinners 1 Ver. 31. m to repentance. May we, and all men on this day, humble ourselves in the dust before Thee, Ch. ii. 10. remembering, with sorrow and with penitence, our innumerable transgressions, and for Christ's sake may our iniquity be taken away". Preserve us from that fear of man which bringeth a snares, Ch. vi. 7. Zech. xiii. 1. + Neh. iv. 14. Prov. xxix, 25. Joel ii. Mal. iv. and may we henceforth sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. May He alone be our fear and p Isa. viii. 13. dread, our sanctuary, and our strong defence*. 1 Ch. ii. 2. r Ch. xi. 9. O God! very great and glorious are the blessings Thou hast promised in the latter days to Thy Church. Suffer us miserable sinners to plead the fulfilment of these precious promises. O when shall it be that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and be exalted above the hills, and that all nations shall flow unto it? When shall it be that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea1? Behold, many run to and fro in the earth, with the glad tidings of Salvation. O strengthen their hands, and comfort their hearts¶. Let Thy Spirit rest upon them, and by them may knowledge be increased, and many be added daily to the Church of such as shall be saved **. Merciful Father, may we rise from our knees, |