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THE

ALTAR AT HOME:

PRAYERS

FOR

THE FAMILY AND THE CLOSET.

BY

CLERGYMEN IN AND NEAR BOSTON.

BOSTON:

AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION,

21 BROMFIELD STREET.

which is Israel's keeper, and which never slumber nor sleeps. We know that we are not worthy ever to take thy name upon our lips. But thy tender mercies are over all thy works; and to the hill from whence cometh our help we would lift up ou

eyes.

Wilt thou accept our thanks, our heavenly Father for thy protecting care of us the past night, and for the countless mercies of which this new day reminds us; and make us more grateful, more sensible of our dependence upon thee for the light and support of our lives. May no vain self-confidence cause us to imagine that we do not need the counsels thou hast given to direct us, or that we can safely encounter life's trials and temptations without that strength from above which thou hast graciously promised to all who seek it.

Thou art our keeper, and thou alone canst preserve our going out and our coming in. May we never doubt thy readiness to hear, to forgive, and to guide us. May no dark cloud hide thy fatherly goodness from our hearts, and no present happiness lead away our thoughts from thee, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. May our faith in thee be strengthened by every new trial. May every day give practical evidence of our desire to please thee. May no power of evil prevail over our good purposes. May the path of duty be made plain to us. And in the thought of thy approval may we find satisfactory

compensation for any present pain or loss. May the memory of thee and of thy word cheer and animate us, save us from impatience and presumption, from unkind words and wrong thoughts, and from every deed we should have occasion to regret as a disobedience of thy holy laws.

Enable us, we pray thee, to discharge faithfully the duties of our different spheres and positions, social, domestic and individual, remembering that each must give account of himself to thee. May those whom we love be sharers with us in every needed aid and blessing of thy providence and grace. May thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and unto thee ascend from all hearts and lives everlasting praise, in the faith and love of Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen.

II.

The Sure Refuge.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

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