While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
"In all things, give thanks, pray
without ceasing." Paul.
The following forms of grace and prayer
are intended to be suggestive helps to young
people, who have the desire to be ready
always to lead in prayer and conduct family
worship, with interest and profit to others.
Bible reading and private prayer prepare for
public prayer; but the latter is rendered
much easier, when it is remembered, that it
should consist of expressions of
thanksgiving, confession, petition and
intercession. Those that lead should speak
loud enough to be easily heard by everyone,
and with an earnestness, that suggests
sincerity.
Grace At Meals Breakfast. We thank Thee, our Father,
for sweet rest and refreshment in sleep, thy
bountiful supply of our wants and the right
use of our faculties. Give us wisdom this
day in the discharge of duty and in the
employment of our time and talents for
Jesus' sake. Amen.
Dinner. We thank thee, our Father,
that thou dost give to us health and
strength to perform our labors and hast
surrounded us with the blessings and
comforts of life. Feed our souls with the
bread of life and enable us to serve thee
acceptably for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Supper. We thank thee, our Father,
that thou hast enabled us to perform the
labors of the day and graciously supplied
our wants. Establish the work of our hands
and forgive our sins for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Helpful Forms Of Prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take;
And this I ask for Jesus' sake."
We thank thee, O Lord, for
strength of arm to win our daily bread; for
enough on which to live and some to give to
those that are unfed. We thank thee for
shelter from the cold and storm, a place
that may be shared with a friend forlorn. We
thank thee for thy wonderful love on us
bestowed, that we should now be called the
children of God.
May thy gracious presence go
with us this day. Put good thoughts into our
minds and good words into our mouths. Make
us strong to do that which is pleasing in
thy sight, by making thy word the guide of
our lives. Bless our friends that are near
and dear unto us. May their lives be found
precious in thy sight. Command thy blessing
to rest upon our neighbors and all with whom
we associate.
May thy richest spiritual blessing rest upon
thy servant, our pastor, and all the people
to whom be ministers; so that the work of
the Lord may prosper in our hands. Bless our
children and youth by writing their names in
the Book of life and inclining them to walk
in thy commands.
Forgive our sins, comfort our hearts,
strengthen our faith and enable us to serve
Thee acceptably; we ask it for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Another One
We thank thee our Father, for the Bible,
thine own blessed word, that teaches us,
what we are to believe concerning Thee, and
what duties Thou requirest of us. Help us to
read it with the understanding heart, that
it may prove a lamp to our feet and a light
to our path.
We thank Thee for the voice of conscience,
prompting us to do right. Enable us by Thy
grace to do promptly, that which we know to
be right. Help us to remember the Sabbath,
to keep it holy unto the Lord. Help us to
set our affection on the "house of the
Lord;" and when we worship Thee, may the
beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. Bless
our friends and neighbors; all who seek an
interest in our prayers. Forgive our sins
and enable us to serve thee acceptably, for
Jesus' sake. Amen.
A Prayer For The Aged
Ever blessed and gracious God, our Father, I
humbly pray that thou wilt not cast me off
in the time of old age, when my strength
faileth. Preserve unto me the right use of
my faculties for my soul trusteth in Thee.
Comfort and strengthen my soul in the day of
weakness that I may attest thy faithfulness
in fulfilling all thy gracious promises.
Thou hast taught me to know
mine end and the measure of my days, that I
might apply my heart unto wisdom; and desire
to dwell in Thy presence, where there is
fullness of joy; and at thy right hand,
where there are pleasures for evermore.
When the time comes for my inexperienced
soul to leave its earthly temple, send the
blessed angels to carry it to the mansions,
thou hast prepared for the redeemed, who put
their trust in Thee; and accord unto me an
abundant entrance into the Kingdom of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To whom be
praise, dominion and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
"How beautiful to be with
God!
To lay aside this toil-worn dress,
To wear a crown of righteousness,
And robes of purest white possess;
And sing the sweet redemption song."
Frances Willard.
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Choctaw Freedmen and Oak Hill Industrial
Academy, 1914, Robert Elliott Flickinger
