SHORT PRAYERS FOR THE
CHRISTIAN HOURS.

NINE, TWELVE, AND THREE O'CLOCK. Besides prayer "in the Evening and Morning, and at Noon-day," which should be the aim of every Christian, some persons may have leisure to fix other times of the day for Prayer.

The hours of the mysteries of our Redemption were once generally observed and are so now by many Christians. Not to mention them all, the 3rd hour, or nine o'clock; the 6th, or twelve; and the 9th, or 3 o'clock, " were from the first allotted to Prayer, that while we are perhaps intent upon other business and might forget our duties towards GOD, the very hour when it comes may put us in mind thereof”—and it is a great help to offer up our devotions in particular remembrance of the great things which God did for us at those times.

It would hinder no work (however busy any one might be) for all people at these hours to use at least the LORD's Prayer in thought of their Redeemer's exceeding love. Or you might say mentally,

At the Third Hour (about 9 o'clock.)

THE HOUR OF THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

O GOD, make speed to save us.
O LORD, make haste to help us.

O Thou Who at the Third Hour didst send down the HOLY GHOST upon Thine Apostles, take not away the same Spirit from us, but renew Him daily in our hearts and fill them with love.

And save us, good LORD.

Our FATHER, &c.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

At the Sixth Hour (about 12 o'clock.)

THE HOUR OF THE CRUCIFIXION.

O GOD, make speed to save us.
O LORD, make haste to help us.

O Thou Who at the Sixth Hour didst nail the sins of the whole world to the same Cross with Thee, blot out the handwriting of our offences which is against us: And save us, good LORD.

Our FATHER, &c.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

At the Ninth Hour (3 o'clock.)

THE HOUR OF THE DEATH OF OUR LORD,

O GOD, make speed to save us.
O LORD, make haste to help us.

O Thou Who at the Ninth Hour for us sinners and for our sins didst taste death; hear us, who remember Thy Precious Death and Passion, when we cry unto Thee at this solemn hour of prayer, and destroy in us whatever is contrary to Thy Will:

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And save us, good LORD.
Our FATHER, &c.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

OF INTERCESSION.

Besides praying for ourselves we are expressly enjoined to pray for each other. Pray one for another. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: For kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For

this is good and acceptable in the sight of GOD Our SAVIOUR; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

There is no greater exercise of Christian love, than to pray for others, and it brings a blessing also upon ourselves. You may do so more particularly at these hours of prayer-as well as using the general Intercessions Morning and Evening.

[Note. To those who have more leisure, the "Pocket Manual of Prayer for the Hours," published by Mr. Masters, is recommended.].

SHORT FORM OF FAMILY
PRAYER.

Make a point of praying with your household and children, at least in the evening. Those who can, in the Morning also.

MORNING PRAYERS.

Kneel down reverently and say all together:

Remember not, LORD, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; spare us, good LORD, spare Thy servants whom Thou

hast redeemed with Thy Most Precious Blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Spare us, good LORD.

LORD, have mercy upon us.
CHRIST, have mercy upon us.
LORD, have mercy upon us.
Then the Master only.1

O most mighty GoD and merciful FATHER, we worship and adore Thee for Thy great glory and goodness, and we most humbly thank and praise Thee for all Thy mercies upon us and ours, and upon Thy whole Church. Especially, we thank Thee, for Thy goodness in preserving us the night past and bringing us in safety to another day. We acknowledge that we have deserved Thy wrath and indignation for our manifold sins, but Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. O continue Thy mercy and favour towards us, pardon our offences and give us grace to show forth our thankfulness by the amendment of our lives, and by serving Thee more faithfully for the time to come. Preserve us this day from all sin and danger: Give us Thy HOLY SPIRIT that we may be loving

1 On Sunday say instead the Prayer, page 92.