Page images
PDF
EPUB

A Prayer for Courts of Justice.

Grant to the judges and other officers thy heavenly benediction. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding; of counsel and of right knowledge; and so enlighten their minds with the just principles of law and of equity, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, restrain wickedness, suppress vice, promote righteousness and maintain peace. May the sword which they are appointed to bear be such a terror to evil works, that it may not be borne in vain. From the equity of their judgments may men learn righteousness; honoring them as the ministers of God for good, and submitting to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake.

And grant, O Lord, that they who shall come before this court to obtain justice and maintain their rights, according to the wise and equitable laws of our country, may be in their hearts disposed to do justly, to love mercy, and to render that measure to others which they seek for themselves. Preserve us

from all envy, hatred and malice, and from all uncharitableness. May we do to others as we would have them do to us, and endeavor to owe no man any thing, but to love one another; and may we ever remain a happy and united people, having Justice for our guide, and the Lord for our God.

And, O thou righteous Judge of all the earth, may the solemnities of an earthly tribunal awaken in our minds a lively apprehension, and impress upon our hearts a constant remembrance of that day of the Lord, when we must all appear before the bar of thy judgment seat, and receive the doom which is to fix our eternal state. May we consider well and wisely, and in a time accepted, what testimony our passing hours may give, at that time, when all hearts shall be laid open, and no secrets can be hid. Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to walk in the light of truth and according to

A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.

thy righteous laws, that we may receive the approbation of our final Judge, and inherit the kingdom prepared for the righteous from the beginning of the world.

Extend, O Lord, we beseech thee, the blessings of civil freedom and the administration of impartial justice to all the people of the earth. Give peace and harmony to contending nations, and so rule their hearts and enlighten their minds, that they may live in unity and godly love. Give thy blessing to the preaching of the gospel, till the Redeemer's kingdom shall be spread to the utmost bounds of the habitable globe, and all the ends of the world shall see the salvation of our God.

These things, O heavenly Father, and whatever of good thou seest fitting for us, for this court of justice, for our state and country, and for all mankind, we humbly ask in the name, and through the merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And may the Lord bless and keep us, and give us peace, now and evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.

O GOD, the King immortal, invisible, who art exalted above all thrones and dominions, King of kings and Lord of lords; whose wise and just providence ordereth all things in heaven and on earth; with all due reverence and adoration, we look unto thee, as the author of our being, and the giver of all good. Without thee, nothing is stable, nothing holy, nothing secure: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. Without thy blessing, it is but labor lost that we rise early, and are careful and troubled about many things. We look unto thee, as the only hope of all the ends of the earth.

A Prayer for a Legislative Assembly.

We adore thee as the God in whom our fathers trusted and were delivered. We have heard with our ears what thou didst in their days, and in times of old. They got not this land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but thy hand and thy arm achieved for them the victory. We desire, O God, to put our trust in thee; and humbly beseech thee to behold us with thy favor and blessing, to pardon our sins, sanctify our hearts and hear our prayers. We beseech thee, O God, to bestow thy blessing upon our country, and upon all the people of these United States. May thy paternal and holy protecting providence be over them for good may they ever be thy people, and the Lord be their God preserve and keep them by thy perpetual mercy. Behold, we beseech thee, with thy favor and blessing, the president of the United States, the governor and council of this state in which we live, and all others who are lawfully set in authority over us; and so replenish them with thy heavenly wisdom, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy ways; grant that they may rule with uprightness, execute justice and maintain truth. And may all the people respect and obey the civil magistrates, as ministers of God, appointed for the public good. Preserve them, we beseech thee, from selfishness and party spirit; may they be influenced by benevolence and the love of their country; and, according to the wisdom given them, promote its prosperity and peace.

And we humbly beseech thee, O gracious God, more especially, to behold with thy favor and blessing the General Court and Legislature of this state, now assembled before thee. Give them wisdom to know and to ordain whatever shall be best for the general good of all thy people. Be pleased, O God, we beseech thee, to direct and prosper all

A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting. their deliberations and measures to the advancement of thy glory, the promotion of pure and undefiled religion, and to the safety, honor and welfare of thy people. Grant that all things may be so ordered and settled, by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations; and that the people of this our country, being enlightened by the knowledge of thy word, and secure, through the protection of wise and equal laws, and the administration of impartial justice, may serve thee without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of their life.

And grant, O Lord, that the whole course of this life may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy people may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; that they may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and at last be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. And to thee, the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting.

ADORABLE and everliving God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, who dost, from thy throne, behold all the dwellers upon the earth, and hast the hearts and the wants of all thy creatures before thee, we implore thy favor and blessing upon thy people here assembled. We adore thee for thy infinite perfections; we praise thy holy name for all thy dispensations of goodness and mercy to us and to all mankind. Our fathers put their trust in thee and were not forsaken. May the remembrance of

A Prayer suitable to be used in a Town or Freemen's Meeting. mercies, which have ever been of old, inspire our hearts with gratitude and praise to thee, who hast graciously blest the people of this our country with. prosperity and increase, and given us a great name among the nations of the earth. May a sense of thy goodness ever engage us in thy faith and fear. May we so love that which thou commandest, and desire the things which thou dost promise, that among all the manifold changes and temptations of this mortal life, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found. Without thee, nothing is strong, nothing holy; increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, and be our ruler and guide. Vouchsafe to direct, sanctify and govern, both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments.

Pour down the abundance of thy blessings upon this our favored country. Give wisdom and strength and union to our rulers and magistrates. Bless the people and the government of the United States; and of this state, particularly, in which we live. May our legislature and courts of justice, and all who are appointed to give laws and execute them, be endued with wisdom, and equity, and with the love of their country. Assist them in all the various administrations of justice and right which appertain to the offices respectively committed to their trust. We beseech thee to bless all who are in authority over us, and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands, that truth and happiness and peace may be established in all our borders; that righteousness and prosperity may increase, and that all thy people may serve thee in virtue and godliness of living. Make us duly thankful for the inestimable blessing of civil liberty, good government and equitable laws; and for the security of our religious rights and privileges. May we so use as never to abuse, nor forget from whom we receive

« PreviousContinue »