THE
ALTAR AT HOME:
PBAYERS
FOR
THE FAMILY AND THE CLOSET.
by
CLERGYMEN IN AND NEAR BOSTON (1855)
"The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firmament uhoweth his handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night show eth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line hath gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit to the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from his heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever : the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
God over all, forever blessed, we would worship thee in reverence, and gratitude, and joy. As the sun in the heavens doth rise and shine down upon our dwellings, so may the light of thy truth and thy Jove rise and shine upon our souls. Thou dost bring the dawn out of' darkness; grant unto us also that true knowledge of thee which shall enlighten us in all our ways. Thou dost beset us behind and before, numbering the very hairs of our heads, giving unto us discerning minds, and offering unto us that Spirit which maketh us truly free. Praise unto thee, thou everlasting Helper, for thine infinite compassions. May they entreat us every day to consecrate ourselves unto thee, and may they remind us that our life is a solemn trust.
Known unto thee, Father, are all thy works from the foundation of the world,— the duties, the perplexities and the joys, which are appointed for each day of thy children's lot. Prepare us, 0 thou, who knowest our mortal frame, for all that shall befall us, that in our prosperity we may not be high-minded; that in our adversity we may be drawn very closely unto him who pitieth us every day, and doth encompass our weakness with his almighty power. Earnestly do we seek of thee the forgiveness of those sins that have darkened our past lives. Enable us, in the humblest reliance upon the only Mediator, to build again that which is fallen down, and to walk in ways more excellent. Keep us from presumptuous sins, and cleanse us from secret faults. Establish us in that law of the Lord which converts the soul, and in those statutes of the Lord which rejoice the heart. Let there be health and peace in this dwelling. Save us from foolish anxieties. May we believe that the Lord will provide. Striving each one of us to bear his own burden, may we do good to our brethren as we shall have opportunity, and freely give as we have freely received.
We commend the young to him who, whilst he was yet with us in bodily presence, took little children into his loving arms. May they feel that the gracious Lord still loveth them, and is ready to send to their hearts the Holy Spirit of consolation and peace. 0 God, be very near to our kindred and friends. We would ever remember them in our morning prayer. 0 thou, unto whom all souls are present, hear the prayers of the afflicted; watch over those who travel by land or by water, and may the sweet influences of the Gospel gladden and redeem many hearts. We ask it through him who is evermore the way. Amen."
Blessings and have a good day
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