Family Prayers By Ashton Oxenden & C. H. Ramsden   FIRST WEEK—MONDAY MORNING   O GOD, who has spared our lives, and brought us to the beginning of another day, we lift up our hearts to Thee. We thank Thee for rest during the past night, for life preserved, and strength renewed, and for the many tokens of Thy loving-kindness which surrounds us.   We thank Thee also for our religious privileges; especially for Thy Sabbath, with its precious opportunities of instruction. We pray that the truths which we heard on Thy holy day may influence us throughout the week. May we thus become more wise, more earnest, more spiritually minded.   And now, O Lord, prepare us for the duties and trials which lie before us. Whatever we have to do, may we do it willingly and heartily, as unto Thee, and not as unto men. Show us our besetting sins, and grant that we may watch and fight against them. Give us grace to take up, each one of us, our peculiar cross whatever it may be, to exercise constant self-denial, and in all things to follow our Master, Christ.   If we should be tempted this day to impatience and anger, enable us to remember Him, who, when He was reviled reviled not again, when He suffered threatened not. Give us more of the mind which was in Christ Jesus. Make us more like Him in lowliness and meekness. Make us kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another; ready to bear each other’s burdens, and so to fulfill the law of Christ.   Let not the world with its cares and vanities fill our hearts this day, and so make us forget the worth of our souls, the love of our Savior, and the nearness of eternity. While we are busy in the world, may our hearts rise above it.   May Thy Holy Spirit continually quicken and guide, cleanse and sanctify us. May He work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. May He implant within us pure desires and heavenly affections, and teach our tongues to speak Thy praise.   Make us, O God, a blessing to one another; help us to strengthen one another’s faith, and to assist one another in the way to heaven. Be with our absent relatives and friends, and bring them all to the saving knowledge of Christ.   Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us, this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of the wicked one, and preserve our bodies in health and safety. O let nothing draw our hearts from Thee. May all Thy wise and merciful dealings bind us more closely to Thee, and fit us better for Thy service. May we walk in the light of Thy countenance, and know the happiness of those who have the Lord for their God. Hear us, heavenly Father, and when Thou hears forgive, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. _________________________________________________________ Family Prayers, Ashton Oxenden & C.H. Ramsden Edited & Reprinted by Chuck Long.  Website: www.Godsgwg.com. Email: Godsgwg@juno.com