Prayer.

Father in Heaven, merciful and gracious God,
who lookest over all,
and hearkenest to every prayer
that is offered up with a humble and trusting spirit;
O pour Thy choicest blessings on those dear friends
from whom Thou in Thy wisdom hast ordained
that I should be parted.

I murmur not, O Lord, at Thy decree,
for I know it is sent in mercy.
Thou seest my heart,
and Thou knowest my affections are so strong,
that were I constantly near them,
my earthly affections might be centred there,
and they might draw my thoughts
from higher objects,
and from Thee.

Yet, O Lord my God,
bless all the dear companions of my early youth,
remove the woes of the afflicted from amongst them,
grant that all earthly happiness may be their portion,
and bless them, my God,
with prosperity,
content,
and health;
grant that they may walk in Thy ways,
and praise Thy Holy Name:

O so pour Thy Spirit on their souls,
that their prayers may be acceptable to Thee,
in whatever faith they may be offered,
and permit them, O God,
so to pass this life,
as to render them fitted for the next:

and if it should please Thee, O my God,
to grant that we may one day meet again,
O permit that friendship which is now so dear,
to shine still pure and holy,
untarnished by absence,
unsullied by distance;
O grant that we may still love each other apart,
as we did when we were together,
and that our affection may last
through joy and gladness,
through sorrow and suffering,
till death divide us.

O hear me, Thou Mighty God,
who graciously bestowest on us
the gift of friendship
to sweeten our earthly lot.
Hear me, O Lord my God,
and vouchsafe to answer me.
Amen.