The Little Treasure of Prayers Part 6

Dearest Lord Jesus, I heartily thank Thee, that Thou hast revealed Thyself to me in the writings of the holy Prophets and Apostles, so that I can believe in Thee, and through faith obtain everlasting life. I beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst preserve me steadfast in true faith, that I may attain the end thereof, everlasting salvation. Make me cheerful and ready, so that when Thou, my dear bridegroom, doest come, that I may meet Thee with joy; lead me to Thy heavenly wedding-feast, where I will love and praise Thee. Amen.

59. Thanksgiving after Recovery.

I thank Thee, Lord, almighty G.o.d, that Thou hast so paternally visited and chastised me on account of my sins. Yea, Lord, I am glad that Thou hast humiliated me, that I might learn Thy ways. O my G.o.d, how often have I, like Hezekiah, thought: Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent; I have cut off like a weaver my life; he will cut me off with pining sickness; from day even to night wilt Thou make an end of me. But, my G.o.d, I see that my sickness was not unto death, but unto the glory of G.o.d, that Thou, my Lord Jesus Christ, mightest thereby be glorified. For Thou hast had mercy upon me, and hast cast all my sins behind Thee, and hast prolonged my life. I heartily thank Thee, my G.o.d, that Thou hast revived and strengthened me, that I can behold Thy holy temple, and attend to my duties. Thy goodness it is, Lord, else I should long since have perished. O, how often will I think of Thy chastening rod, and will fear Thee all my life and guard against Thy wrath. Help now, O Lord my G.o.d, that with renewed health I may also begin a new life.

Grant, that I may always glorify Thy name, and Thy praise be continually found in my mouth. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may live to Thy honor, and not yield my members as instruments of unrighteousness to serve sin, but as instruments of righteousness to serve Thee my G.o.d, that I may sing Thy hymns, and praise and glorify Thee in Thy church. Amen.

60. Three Prayers in the Hour of Death.

The First to G.o.d the Father.

Almighty G.o.d! Thou Father of mercies and G.o.d of all consolation! Have mercy upon me, as a father hath mercy upon his children. Remember that Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, became man for my sake. Remember that Thou didst so love the world, that Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In this faith my soul comes to Thee and brings with it Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast given me; for His sake do Thou remember me and receive me into Thy grace. To Thee I commend my soul. Let me, Thy dear child, remain in Thy grace, and have mercy upon me while I live, and when I die, for the sake of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Second to G.o.d the Son.

Lord Jesus Christ, my only consolation and help! Thou hast borne my griefs and wast wounded for my transgressions. Thou Lamb of G.o.d that takest away the sins of the world! be Thou my righteousness, my sanctification and my salvation. Heal my pains through Thy wounds. Let not Thy innocent blood be shed in vain for me; take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Forsake me not in my last agony, but help me on to life everlasting. Remember that I am Thy poor sheep, and Thou art my faithful Shepherd. Take me into Thy arms, and carry me into Thy blessed Paradise.

Let me behold Thy gracious countenance and Thy glory. Amen.

The Third to G.o.d the Holy Ghost.

O G.o.d Holy Spirit, Thou only consolation for the distressed! Strengthen and comfort my faint and sorrowful heart. Preserve my faith, which Thou hast wrought in me, and quench not the smoking flax. Protect me from the temptations of the wicked enemy. Let not my heart be terrified at death nor despair; restrain all impatience, make me willing to obey the Lord my G.o.d. Help me to close my life joyfully and happily. Keep my heart and mind in the peace of my Lord Jesus Christ. When I can no more speak, keep and seal the memory of the holy name of Jesus Christ in my heart, and with the same let me peacefully fall asleep. Amen.

61. Prayer of the Attendants upon a Dying Person.

Almighty, gracious G.o.d, who doest preserve our life in death, we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst turn the eyes of Thy mercy to this sick person; comfort him in body and in soul, and in mercy forgive him all sins.

Receive the offering of the innocent death of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, for the payment of his transgressions, for he is baptized in His name, and washed and purified by His blood. Deliver him from his bodily griefs, preserve him against the accusations of conscience, and against all the temptations of the wicked enemy, so that he may fight the good fight of faith and obtain the victory. Grant him a blessed journey to everlasting life, send Thy holy angels, that they may escort him to the a.s.sembly of the elect, in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

62. Another.

Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. 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. Amen.

63. A short Litany together with Prayers for a Dying Person.

Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy!

Lord have mercy upon this sick person!

Lord G.o.d, the Father in heaven, } Lord G.o.d Son, Redeemer of the world, } Have mercy Lord G.o.d Holy Ghost, } upon him!

Holy Trinity, eternal G.o.d, }

Lord, be merciful and save this dying person!

Against the wicked spirit, } Against the cunning and deception of the devil, } Protect him, Against all evil, } dear Lord G.o.d!

Against the torments of h.e.l.l, }

Through Thy holy incarnation and birth, } Through Thy death-struggle and b.l.o.o.d.y sweat, } Through Thy cross and bitter death, } Through Thy holy resurrection and ascension, } Help him, dear Through the grace of the Holy Ghost, } Lord G.o.d!

At his last end, } At the last day, } At the final judgment, }

We poor sinners pray, that Thou wouldst hear us, dear Lord G.o.d!

And comfort this sick person, } Hear us, dear Pardon all his sins, } Lord G.o.d!

And after this misery give him eternal life. }

O Christ, hear us!

O Thou Lamb of G.o.d, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon this dying person, and give him eternal peace!

Lord, have mercy!

Christ, have mercy!

Lord, have mercy upon him!

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen!

Prayer.

Almighty, eternal G.o.d, heavenly, faithful, dear Father! comfort and strengthen this Thy poor creature, and spare it through Thy goodness; help it out of all agony and distress, release it in Thy grace, and take it to Thee, in Thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Lord, Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Another.

Almighty, eternal G.o.d, have mercy upon the anxious sighings and lamentations of this dying person; receive him into Thy kingdom, which Thou hast in mercy prepared for him and all believers since the beginning of the world. Release him graciously, O Lord, comfort him with the elect eternally through Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

64. Prayer, when the sick Person has departed in the Lord.