Prayer before mingling with the world.

O Mighty Father, may it please Thee
to pour Thy blessing upon me,
now that I am about to enter into
a scene of more temptation
than when I remain in my own home.

Thou hast not commanded us to live entirely alone;
Thou hast, in Thine infinite mercy, ordained
that the happiness of this life
should not be entirely centred in ourselves.
Thou hast permitted a bond of brotherhood
to unite Thy creatures;
then in Thy mercy, O Lord,
be with me this night.
Let me feel that Thou art with me,
that Thy spirit dwelleth within me,
and permitteth me to pass this evening
as innocently as if I were alone with Thee.

Let me not, in thoughtless gaiety,
forget myself,
and do or say that
to which hereafter I may look back
with self-reproach and regret.
Guard me from temptation and from sin.
Permit me to behave in such a manner
as will be acceptable to Thee,
and pleasing to my fellow-creatures.
O let my conduct shew forth Thy Glory O Lord,
and raise my beloved and ancient Faith
in the estimation of the strangers
amongst whom it may be my lot to mingle;
but O guard me in Thine infinite goodness
from pride or self-conceit;
make me humble, O Lord,
that words of flattery may fall harmless on my ear,
and that I may not feel pained or disappointed
at any neglect or unkindness I may receive.

O Mighty Father,
do not forsake me now!
Let my cry come up before Thee,
and deign to shed Thy Holy Grace,
Thy blessing on my soul.

Let me but feel that Thou art with me, O my God,
that Thy spirit dwelleth within me,
and that virtue may be mine,
whether alone with my God,
or mingling with my fellow creatures.

O my Heavenly Father, hear me,
and vouchsafe to answer me.
Let Thy wing encircle me,
Thy blessing be upon me
this night and evermore!
Amen.