Family Prayers By Ashton Oxenden & C. H. Ramsden   FIRST WEEK—THURSDAY MORNING   MOST gracious and merciful Father, be pleased to accept, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our morning sacrifice of prayer and praise. From Thee comes down every good and perfect gift. We thank Thee for all the blessings which we have already received, for the good gifts of Thy Providence, for the promises of Thy Word, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory.   Do Thou implant in all our hearts Thy holy fear. Assist us by Thy grace to do this day such things as are pleasing to Thee. Strengthen us to overcome any temptations to which during the day we may be exposed. Keep us from giving place to the devil, by cherishing in our hearts any evil thoughts or unchristian tempers.   Preserve us from a worldly mind, O Lord; and by the mighty power of Thy Holy Spirit draw our desires and affections heavenwards. Suffer us not to sink down into a cold and careless indifference about those things which belong to our eternal interests.   Keep us mindful of all that Christ our Savior did and suffered for our redemption. Help us to make the salvation of our souls our great and chief concern; and to seek first Thy kingdom and righteousness. Deliver us from over-anxiety about earthly things; from a discontented, murmuring and unthankful spirit.   Strengthen, O Lord, our faith in the promises of Thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds upon Thee. Thou knows our exceeding weakness, and the numberless dangers which every day surround us. Supply all our need. Beat down every spiritual enemy under our feet. Let Thy Word be our guide, and Thy Holy Spirit our Sanctifier and Comforter.   If it should please Thee to visit us with affliction, make it to work for our real and eternal good; and give us a patient and submissive spirit under Thy fatherly chastisement. The state, and circumstances, and character of each of us are known to Thee. O God, suit Thy mercy to our need. Comfort the sorrowful; enlighten the ignorant; confirm the wavering; awaken the careless. Be Thou our defender through all the trials of life, our hope in death, and our portion throughout eternity.   Be pleased, O Lord, to bless all those who are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our city and neighborhood. Assist those who labor here for the good of their fellow-creatures; and grant that true godliness may increase and abound among us. Help us to shine as lights in the world, and to commend the religion which we profess by the meekness and gentleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and useful to all around us.   These mercies we ask for ourselves and others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all ever more. Amen. ____________________________________________________ Family Prayers, Ashton Oxenden & C.H. Ramsden Edited & Reprinted by Chuck Long.  Website: www.Godsgwg.com. Email: Godsgwg@juno.com