(1599 Geneva Bible): Form for Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer, 1599 Geneva Bible

Almighty God and most merciful Father, we do not present ourselves here before Thy majesty, trusting in our own merits or worthiness, but in Thy manifold mercies, which hast proved to hear our prayers and grant our requests, which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who also hath commanded us to assemble ourselves together in his name, with full assurance, that he will not only be amongst us, but also be our mediator and advocate to thy Majesty, that we may obtain all things which shall seem expedient to thy blessed will, for our necessities.  Therefore we beseech thee sweet Father, to turn thy loving countenance towards us, and impute not us our manifold sins and offenses, whereby we most justly deserve thy wrath and sharp punishment, but rather receive us to thy mercy, for Jesus Christ’s sake, accepting his death and passion as our just recompense for all our offenses, in whom only thou art pleased, and through whom thou canst not be offended with us.  And seeing that of thy great mercy we have quietly passed this night: Grant
(O heavenly Father) that we may bestow this day wholly in thy service, so that all our thoughts, words and deeds, may redound to the glory of thy name and good ensample of all men, who seeing our good works, may glorify thee our heavenly Father.  And forasmuch as of thy mere favor and love, thou hast not only created us to thine own similitude and likeness, but also hast chosen us to be heirs with thy dear son Jesus Christ, of that immortal kingdom, which thou preparedst for us before the beginning of the world: we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge, and to lighten our hearts with thy holy spirit, that we may in the meantime live in godly conversation and integrity of life, knowing that Idolaters, adulterers, covetous men, contentious person, drunkards, gluttons and suchlike, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

And because thou hast commanded us to pray one for another, we do not only make request (O Lord) for ourselves, and for them that thou hast already called to the true understanding of thy heavenly will, but for all people and nations of the world, as they know by thy wonderful works, that thou art God over all, so that they may be instructed by thy holy spirit, to believe in thee, their only Savior and Redeemer,  but forasmuch as they cannot believe, except they hear, nor cannot hear but by preaching, and none can preach, except he be sent: therefore (O Lord) raise up faithful distributors of thy mysteries, who setting apart all worldly respects, may both in their life and doctrine only seek thy glory.  Continually confound Satan, Antichrist, with all hirelings, whom thou hast already cast off into a reprobate sense, that they may not by sects, schisms, heresies, and errors disquiet thy little flock.  And because, O Lord, we be fallen into the latter days and dangerous times, wherein ignorance hath gotten the upper hand, and Satan by his Ministers seeks by all means to quench the light of thy Gospel: we beseech thee to maintain thy cause against those ravening Wolves and strengthen all thy servants, whom they keep in prison and bondage.  Let not thy longsuffering be an occasion, either to increase their tyranny, or to discourage thy children: neither yet let our sins and wickedness, be a hindrance to thy mercies, but with speed (O Lord) consider their great misery.  For thy people Israel many times by their sin provoked thine anger and thou punishedst them by thy just judgment, yet through their sins were never so grievous, if they once returned from their iniquity, thou receivedst them to mercy. We therefore most wretched sinners bewail our manifold sins, and earnestly repent of our former wickedness, and ungodly behavior towards thee: and whereas we cannot of ourselves purchase thy pardon, yet we humbly beseech thee for Jesus Christ’s sake, to show thy mercy upon us, and receive us again to thy favor: Grant us dear Father these our requests, and all other things necessary for us, and thy whole Church, according to thy promise in Jesus Christ our Lord. In whose name we beseech thee, as he hath taught us, saying, Our Father which art in heaven, etc.