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For faith and strength.
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Ⅰ.
Be thou, O Lord, we beseech thee, with the spirits of all who are assembled here, and send unto them that light and comfort for which they long according to their trials and necessities, and may this day come as a messenger of peace and grace to all our brethren throughout their habitations. Hear us, O God, and answer us, according to the fullness of thy mercy. Amen. |
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Ⅱ.
Almighty God, to whom I Thy child have come, with all my sorrows and all my joys, fully trusting in Thy love and Thy sympathy, may Thy holy spirit which I feel within me now remain with me when I have gone hence and am mingling with the world, so that whatever my trials, I may still hold fast to my faith in Thee, and whatever my temptations, I may still feel the sanctifying influence of Thy presence. Be with me in the days of toil, and give me strength to do my duty, no matter what it may be. Help me to be true to my better self. Be by my side when I am struggling with my own heart, when I seek to rise above my failings and my weaknesses. Help me to realise life’s meaning, to understand its solemnity, so that each day I live may be yet another step leading me nearer and nearer to Thee. Amen. |
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Ⅲ.
Almighty God, may my worship this day make me feel more strongly than ever that Thou art my Father, and may the thought of Thee help me to lead a truer, nobler, and better life. Thou are near unto me, and thou wilt help me, if only I try to do what I know to be right. In all the trials and temptations of the days that are before me, be Thou, O my Father, my Guide and my Shield. Strengthen my efforts, O Lord, to approach a little nearer to Thee. Amen. |
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Ⅳ.
It is good to give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and to speak with the God of righteousness. No trouble of ours is too great for thee to heed, no sorrow too small for thee to comfort. Thou hast created no child too humble for thee to love. There is none so far away from thee that he cannot seek and find thee. Thou listenest to the sinner and healest his many wounds. Thou hearkenest to the sufferer and bringest peace to all his pain. O God, thou art very near unto me. Thou knowest all my needs before I ask them; Lord hear now my prayer. One thing only do I seek of thee: that I may open my heart to Thy love, and then, strong and willing, I may give unto others, this, thy most precious gift. Not for myself but for thee, O Lord, may I live, and thus may I give thanks unto thee for all thy blessings. Amen. |
Basil L.Q. Henriques’s prayers “For Faith and Strength” were first published in The Fratres Book of Prayer for the Oxford and St. George’s Synagogue Jewish Lads Club in 1916, and later reprinted in the Prayer Book of the St. George’s Settlement Synagogue (1929), “Special Prayers” section, pages 86-87.
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