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EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH:
REPENTANCE EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED
by
JOHN THORNTON
Prayers

(A PDF Copy Of The Complete Book Is Available Here)
(A WordPerfect Version Of The Complete Book Is Located Here)



THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.
THAT IS WHY HE IS GOD

 PRAYERS

PRAYER FOR EXAMINATION.

Eternal God, the great Searcher of hearts, who knowest all our secret thoughts, and from whose all seeing eye nothing is hid, dispose me frequently to examine the state of my mind, and to compare mine actions with the rule of thy laws, that nothing contrary to thy holy will may ever find a settled abode in my soul; and let me so consider my ways, as to turn my feet unto thy testimonies, to repent, and to live. Grant that I may so impartially judge and condemn myself, that I may not be condemned at thy dreadful tribunal. Let not self-love impose upon me in a matter of such high importance; let not sloth and negligence deter me from keeping mine accounts clear and spotless; let no darling passion be so far indulged, as to escape the scrutiny of serious examination: and whenever, O Lord, I have discovered mine own vileness, grant that, by the assistance of thy grace, I may humble myself under a proper sense of it before thee; that I may from my heart condemn all those follies, by which I have so justly provoked thy wrath and indignation against me; that I may earnestly solicit thy pardon and forgiveness through the merits of my Redeemer; that I may be careful to stand upon my guard for the future; and by prayer and watchfulness engage thy powerful protection, which is so necessary to support me in the time of temptation, the day of trial, and the awful hour of death. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake. of Jesus Christ, mine only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

FOR TRUE CONTRITION.

Most gracious God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity, who sparest when we deserve punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy; cause me earnestly to repent, and heartily to be sorry for all my misdoings: make the remembrance of them so burdensome and painful to me, that I may flee to thee with a troubled spirit, and a contrite heart. Forgive me all the sins which I can now call to remembrance; and forgive me likewise all my transgressions of thy holy will, which may now be out of tho reach of my memory, but which have been open to thine all-seeing eye, and are known to thee with all their circumstances and aggravations. Pardon me, O Lord, according to the abundant goodness of thy nature, and the declarations made by thy Son Jesus Christ; and grant me that forgiveness which I can neither ask nor expect, but upon those terms and conditions which thy holiness and mercy have laid down in the gospel. And as I am truly sensible that no forgiveness can be expected, according to thy word, without amendment of life, I seriously renounce all communication with whatever is displeasing to thee, and sincerely resolve to make it my great endeavor to correct every thing that is amiss in my temper and behavior, and to bring myself still nearer to thy holiness and perfection. Forgive me, therefore, as thou hast promised by thy dearly beloved Son; visit, comfort, and relieve me; cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me; but excite in me true repentance and contrition; give me knowledge of thy truth, and confidence in thy mercy; and in the world to come, life everlasting, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen,

FOR PARDON.

Most gracious God, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live; unto thee I present my humble supplications, not only for mercy to pardon my past offences, but also for grace to assist me in times of future need. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Make me to reflect on my ways, to turn my feet unto thy testimonies and wherein I have done amiss to do so no more. Give me that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil; and grant that I may finally come off conqueror, yea more than conqueror, through him who hath loved us. Forgetting those things that are behind, may I press forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let not my goodness be as the morning cloud, or the early dew, which passeth away; but may it be as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Finally, let no iniquity have dominion over me; but may I be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as I know that my labor will not then be in vain. Grant this, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

FOR GRACE.

Gracious God, who hast promised to give thy Holy Spirit to them that ask; vouchsafe unto me, I beseech thee, its all powerful influence to cleanse my polluted nature, to comfort me in all my troubles, to succor me in temptations, and to assist me in the discharge of my duty, that I may be enabled to walk in thy faith and fear all the days of my life. To thy gracious protection I commit my soul, O thou that art faithful, as well as good; watch over me, therefore, that I be not beguiled by the deceitfulness of sin, by tho contagion of mine own corrupt heart, or the malice of my spiritual enemies; but may I so watch and pray that I enter not into temptation; and after having lived the life of grace here, may inherit thy glory hereafter, in another and a better world, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

FOR PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY.

Lord God Almighty, who hast ordained this life as a passage to the future, by confining our conversion to the time of our pilgrimage here, and reserving for hereafter the state of punishment and reward; vouchsafe me the assistance of thy grace, who still have an opportunity of reconcilement to thee, that I may so watch over all mine actions, and correct every deviation in my way to heaven, as neither to be surprised with my sins uncancelled, nor called away with my duties unperformed; but that, when my body descendeth to the grave, my soul may ascend to thee, and dwell for ever in those mansions of eternal felicity, which are prepared for all thy faithful servants, through the merits of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 


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