Pulpit Prayers

O Lord our God, from Whom cometh every good and perfect gift, give us, we pray Thee, the consciousness of Thy presence in this hour of worship, and grant that whatever we may each of us most need for our inward life we may find here and now. Draw our hearts to Thyself, we beseech Thee; prepare us for better service; help each of us to pass beyond the outward forms of worship; and to come, in the silence of our minds, into the secret place of the Most High. Flash Thy truth upon all our hearts and minds, help us in hearing and in speaking, bless us each as we severally require, receive our thanks for the individual and private blessings which we each possess, and for the universal gift which we each may have — the unspeakable gift of God in Jesus Christ. Hear us, we pray Thee, and grant us Thy presence and help now, for our Saviour Christ’s sake.

O Lord, we thank Thee that Thou hast, in some measure, drawn back the veil, and shown us the things which are at Thy right hand. And we beseech Thee to help each of us, so long as we tarry here below, that we may press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. May we forget the things that are behind, our failures, our disappointments, our attainments, or only remember them to make us more earnest in seeking that to-morrow may not be as this day, but much more conformed to Thy holy will. Help all of us, we pray Thee, to live as those whose home is beyond the stars, and in the depths of God. And may this our life here below be so used by us as that it shall fit us to be ’ partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.’

We beseech Thee for this in regard of all of us gathered here this evening, and especially we pray for the younger members of this congregation that they may be kept innocent of much transgression, that they may begin aright, and so be delivered from many a pang and many a sorrow, many a disenchantment, and many a stain. O Lord, we beseech Thee to be near them, especially any amongst them who may be living solitary lives, and exposed to the temptations of this great city. We beseech Thee that these young men may abhor youthful lusts, which war against the soul. We pray that they may be armed against the suggestions of evil that lie on every side, that they may be kept from the corrupting influences of companionship that may be necessary for them, that they may be wise to understand the snares, the bait, and the hook. We beseech Thee that Thou wouldst bless them all in their several courses, granting to them such prosperity in this world’s matters as Thou seest is best for them, and helping them to keep their hearts above the world, and with all their getting to seek most to get the durable riches and righteousness which are more precious than rubies, and none of the things that they desire are to be compared to it.

O Lord! bless us in our meeting now. We beseech

Thee to give us some word to speak; though our own words be feeble let Thy strength come with them. Do Thou help us, and give us wisdom and utterance and earnestness, and may the word of the Lord be magnified among us, and the message of the great love of the Christ Who keeps us from evil find entrance into many hearts. O Lord, bless us each in our several callings and condition; be near any of us who may have any special temptations or difficulties. If any of us are proving the loneliness of life, or its sadness, or its difficulties, and if our way may seem to be barred against us, do Thou help us to patience and courage, to wise effort, to dependence upon Thee. O Lord, do Thou keep us all, and may every one of us from this time forth say unto Thee, ‘My Father! Thou art my Guide.’ These young men and maidens we commend to Thee that they may grow up serving God, His faithful witnesses and soldiers, hating covetousness and all evil, and binding sound wisdom and discretion on their hearts and their foreheads.

And now. Lord, we would pray for others than ourselves. We would remember the many thousands who, at this time, are gathered together in different churches, in different lands, and with different tongues, to praise Thee and seek Thy face. And we beseech Thee that upon all Thy children Thy love may come down like the dove, and abide with them for ever.

Hear us now, when we cry to Thee, for all that are in any kind of sorrow or trouble, and humbly ask Thee that where Thou art chastening there may be the sense of the Father’s love, even in the chastisement, and that Thy rod as well as Thy staff may comfort many a troubled heart.

Take us, O Lord, we pray Thee now, into Thy gracious care, and what we have failed to ask, or have asked amiss, do Thou give in large abundance, not for our sakes but for Christ’s sake, and for Thy own Name and love’s sake.

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