Part 3

O merciful God, whose blessed Son went about doing good; Uphold with thy strength and grace those who do service to the wounded and the sick; grant to the ministers of thy gospel faithfulness and love, to the physicians and surgeons wisdom and skill, to the nurses sympathy and patience; and we beseech thee to protect and bless them in all dangers, anxieties, and labours; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen._

For Those Wounded in War

O Lord, we pray thee to have mercy upon all who are this day wounded and suffering. Though kindred and friends be far away, let thy grace be their comfort. Raise them to health again, if it be thy good pleasure; but chiefly give them patience and faith in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen._

For the Dying

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. _Amen._

For One Departed

Almighty God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful servant (_N._), and we pray thee that, having opened to _him_ the gates of larger life, thou wilt receive _him_ more and more into thy joyful service; that _he_ may win, with thee and thy servants everywhere, the eternal victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen._

Benedictions

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. _Amen._

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this night and evermore. _Amen._

For Those at Home

Into thy hands, O Father, I commend this day (_this night_) my home, my family, and all who are dear to me. Bless them with the knowledge of thy continual presence, uphold them in all cares and trials, sustain them with thy power; and grant that, drawing nearer to thee and to each other, we may ever rejoice in the fellowship of those who trust in thy goodness and thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen._

Psalms

Psalm 1

1 Blessed _is_ the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight _is_ in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly _are_ not so: but _are_ like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 15

1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

3 _He that_ backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. _He that_ sweareth to _his own_ hurt, and changeth not.

5 _He that_ putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these _things_ shall never be moved.

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 _There is_ no speech nor language, _where_ their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun.

5 Which _is_ as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, _and_ rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth _is_ from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord _is_ perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord _is_ sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord _are_ right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord _is_ pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord _is_ clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord _are_ true _and_ righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired _are they_ than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: _and_ in keeping of them _there is_ great reward.

12 Who can understand _his_ errors? cleanse thou me from secret _faults_.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous _sins_; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord _is_ my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou _art_ with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 43

1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2 For thou _art_ the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, _who is_ the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 46

1 God _is_ our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 _Though_ the waters thereof roar _and_ be troubled, _though_ the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 _There is_ a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy _place_ of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God _is_ in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, _and that_ right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. Selah.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I _am_ God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, _He is_ my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, _and_ from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth _shall be thy_ shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; _nor_ for the arrow _that_ flieth by day;

6 _Nor_ for the pestilence _that_ walketh in darkness; _nor_ for the destruction _that_ wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; _but_ it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, _which is_ my refuge, _even_ the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in _their_ hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I _will be_ with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalm 95

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

3 For the Lord _is_ a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand _are_ the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills _is_ his also.

5 The sea _is_ his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry _land_.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

7 For he _is_ our God; and we _are_ the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, _and_ as _in_ the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

10 Forty years long was I grieved with _this_ generation, and said, It _is_ a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Psalm 96

1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4 For the Lord _is_ great, and greatly to be praised: he _is_ to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations _are_ idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty _are_ before him: strength and beauty _are_ in his sanctuary.

7 Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

8 Give unto the Lord the glory _due unto_ his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the heathen _that_ the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that _is_ therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he _is_ God: _it is_ he _that_ hath made us, and not we ourselves; _we are_ his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, _and_ into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, _and_ bless his name.

5 For the Lord _is_ good; his mercy _is_ everlasting; and his truth _endureth_ to all generations.

Psalm 103

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, _bless_ his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good _things_; _so that_ thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord _is_ merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep _his anger_ for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, _so_ great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, _so_ far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth _his_ children, _so_ the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we _are_ dust.

15 _As for_ man, his days _are_ as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord _is_ from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all _ye_ his hosts; _ye_ ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 121

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help _cometh_ from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord _is_ thy keeper: the Lord _is_ thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But _there is_ forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

6 My soul _waiteth_ for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: _I say, more than_ they that watch for the morning.

7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord _there is_ mercy, and with him _is_ plenteous redemption.

8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Note: The Psalms, as printed herein, are from the Authorized Version of the Bible.

Bible Readings

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Fear thou not; for I _am_ with thee: be not dismayed; for I _am_ thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I _am_ God, and _there is_ none else. Isaiah 45:22

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

This _is_ a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. I Timothy 1:15

28 Come unto me, all _ye_ that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke _is_ easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have _it_ more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:9-11

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if _it were_ not _so_, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, _there_ ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:1-4

More than Conquerors

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? _shall_ tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

The Prize-Winner

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they _do it_ to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring _it_ into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Peace of God

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: _and_ again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord _is_ at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things _are_ honest, whatsoever things _are_ just, whatsoever things _are_ pure, whatsoever things _are_ lovely, whatsoever things _are_ of good report; if _there be_ any virtue, and if _there be_ any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:4-8

The Beatitudes

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed _are_ the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed _are_ they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed _are_ the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed _are_ they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed _are_ the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed _are_ the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed _are_ the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed _are_ they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when _men_ shall revile you, and persecute _you_, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great _is_ your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:1-16

Prayer

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites _are_: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen _do_: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as _it is_ in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:5-12

The Father’s Kingdom

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, _shall he_ not much more _clothe_ you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day _is_ the evil thereof. Matthew 6:25-34

The Prodigal Son

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to _his_ father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth _to me_. And he divided unto them _his_ living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.