Page images
PDF
EPUB

ON THE REMOVAL OF DISEASE.

229

DURING THE PREVALENCE OF SICKNESS

Our times are in thy hand, O God, the Lord. The pestilence comes at thy bidding, and death waits on thy command. We acknowledge the equity of thy ways, but still let us talk to thee of thy judgments. While thy people humble themselves, and pray, and seek thy face, hear from heaven and forgive our sin, and heal our land. Say to the destruction, that wasteth at noon-day, It is enough! Arrest the progress of disease, and let the prevailing sickness not be unto death, but for thy glory. Help us calmly to abide beneath thy shadow; let no plague come nigh our dwelling; but should death overtake us, may our spirits find repose in the bosom of our Saviour, and dwell for ever in Immanuel's land, where the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick.

THANKSGIVING ON THE REMOVAL OF EPIDEMIC DISEASE.

We thank thee that, in the midst of judgment, thou hast remembered mercy, and redeemed our lives from destruction. Thou hast stayed the ravages of disease, and turned aside the calamity that rested on thy people. Now, that thy judgments have been amongst us, may we learn righteousness. May those who have been healed return to give glory unto God, and may those who have escaped the visitations of affliction praise

thee with joyful lips; and thus may the things which have happened unto us turn to our salvation, through the supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus.

PRAYER IN A THUNDER-STORM

With thee, O Lord, is terrible majesty. Thou lookest upon the earth, and it is troubled. Thou touchest the mountains, and they smoke. Of old thou didst stoop to Sinai, and nature shrunk from the approach of Deity. Thou art now riding in the storm, and the creatures of thy hand tremble at this intimation of thy power. There is danger around us, and none of us can deliver himself. We rejoice to remember that all the elements of nature are under thy control, and that we are safe beneath thy protection. May we adore thee in thy works, and hide ourselves in the Rock of Ages. The Lord grant that we may obtain mercy of him, in that day when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the earth and all the works that are therein shall be burned up.

UNDER COMMERCIAL DEPRESSION.

All things come of thee, O God.

Thou canst

speak against a nation to pluck up and to destroy it; yet, for thy mercies' sake, turn from us the

embarrassments under which we labour. Revive our trade and commerce, so that the industrious poor may have employment and bread to eat. Let the voice of complaining be hushed in our streets. Graciously sanctify to the nation at large, the present public anxiety. May we learn not to trust in uncertain riches, but to seek treasure in heaven. Amidst all our difficulties may integrity and uprightness preserve us. Enable us, as a people, to glorify thee by a timely repentance. In returning and in rest may we be saved, and in quietness and assurance for ever; and may the calamities passing over us be overruled for the furtherance of the gospel.

PRAYER FOR HARVEST.

Thou hast visited the earth, and greatly enriched it. Now be pleased to keep thy covenant, and grant the appointed weeks of harvest. Let not the precious fruits of the field perish. May there be no approach to famine in our land. We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us the mighty works which thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them. Again interpose on the behalf of thy people, that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store, that peace may be within our walls, and prosperity within our palaces.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK.

Look in mercy on thy servant, whom thou hast afflicted, and whose case demands our sympathy and prayers. If consistent with thy will, spare

his life, and add to it yet many years. Bless the means which are employed for his recovery to health and strength. Give him patience under his sufferings. May he fall into the loving arms of Christ, and tranquilly await the manifestations of thy will concerning him. Should it please thee to disappoint our hopes, by the removal of his spirit to the eternal state, graciously cheer his passage through the dark valley of the shadow of death. Give to him correct views of thy mercy, in the face of Jesus Christ, and enable him in penitence and faith, to rest exclusively upon the atonement of our Saviour, for present and eternal salvation. May he feel that to live is Christ, and that to die is gain.

ON THE RECOVERY OF A RELATIVE FROM SICKNESS.

Truly thou hearest prayer, for thou hast sent deliverance to us as a family, and graciously restored to us our beloved one, who was sick and nigh unto death. Our ranks are unbroken, and we appear at thy throne, the living to praise thee. Thou hast had mercy on thy servant, and not on him only, but on us also, lest we should have

sorrow upon sorrow. Sanctify this mercy to him, that he may account thy long suffering salvation; and bless it to each of us, that we may feel grateful to thee our best and unchanging Friend. Prepare us for the hour when death will visit our abode, and as, one by one, we fail on earth, may angels come forth to conduct us to the church of the first born, in heaven, that we may be for ever with the Lord.

PRAYER WITH A DYING CHRISTIAN.

Lord Jesus, look upon thy servant now sinking into the arms of death. Support and comfort him. With hallowed recollections of thy goodness, and with calm reliance on thy mercy, may he commit his spirit into thy hands. Let his faith behold thee at the right hand of God. May the bitterness of death be past. Help him to bear his infirmity. Let not Satan gain any advantage over him. May he see his way clearly into heaven, and be willing to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. As his eyes close upon this world, may heaven break upon his enraptured vision. As human voices fail him, may he hear the songs of angels and of the redeemed. As he leaves the weeping circle of earthly friends, may he join the family of heaven. Lord Jesus, receive his spirit.

« PreviousContinue »