Lancelot Andrewes · 27 of 61
Prayer for Grace
Hosanna in the highest. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that Thou bearest unto Thy people, O visit me with Thy salvation; that I may see the felicity of Thy chosen, and rejoice in the gladness of Thy people, and give thanks with Thine inheritance. There is glory which shall be revealed; for when the judge cometh some shall see Thy face cheerful, and shall be placed on the right, and shall hear those most welcome words, "Come, ye blessed." They shall be caught up in clouds to meet the Lord; they shall enter into gladness, they shall enjoy the sight of Him, they shall be ever with Him. 'These alone, only these are blessed among the sons of men. O to me the meanest grant the meanest place, there under their feet; under the feet of Thine , the meanest among them. And that this may be; let me find in Thy sight to have grace; (Heb. xii. 28) so as to serve Thee acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Let me find that second grace, not to receive in vain (2 Cor. vi. 1) the first grace, not to came short of it; (Heb. xii. 15) yea, not to neglect it, (1Tim. iv. 14) so as to fall from it, (Gal. v. 4.) but to stir it up, (2 Tim. i. 6) so as to increase in it, (2 Pet. iii. 18) yea, to in it till the end of my life. And O, perfect for me what is lacking of faith, of hopeof Thy gifts, help Thou mine unbelief, establish my trembling hope, of lovekindle its smoking flax. Shed abroad Thy love in my heart, so that I may love Thee, my friend in Thee, my enemy for Thee. O Thou who givest grace to the humble‑minded, also give me‑grace to be humble‑minded. O Thou who never failest those who fear Thee, my Fear and my Hope, let me fear one thing only, the fearing ought more than Thee. As I would that men should do to me so may I do to them; not to have thoughts beyond what I should think, but to have thoughts unto sobriety. Shine on those who sit in darkness, and the shadow of death; guide our feet into the way of peace, that we may have the same thoughts one with another, rightly to divide, rightly to walk, to edify, with one accord, with one mouth to glorify God; and if ought otherwise, to walk in the same rule as far as we have attained; to maintain order, decency and stedfastness.
