Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – A Prayer for the Morning

From Bayly:

O most mighty and glorious God! full of incomprehensible power and majesty; whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain! Look down from heaven upon me, thine unworthy servant, who here prostrate myself at the footstool of thy throne of grace. But look upon me, O Father, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, in whom only thou art well pleased! For of myself, I am not worthy to stand in thy presence, or to speak with mine unclean lips to so holy a God as thou art. For thou knowest that in sin I was conceived and born, and that I have lived ever since in iniquity: so that I have broken all thy holy commandments by sinful motions, unclean thoughts, evil words, and wicked works; omitting many of those duties which thou requirest for thy service, and committing many of those vices which thou, under the penalty of thy displeasure, hast forbidden.

     [Here thou mayest confess to God thy secret sins, which do most burthen thy conscience, saying, But more especially, O Lord, I do here with grief of heart confess unto thee, &c.]

       And for these my sins, O Lord, I stand here guilty of thy curse, with all the miseries of this life, and everlasting torments in hell-fire, when this wretched life is ended, if thou shouldst deal with me according to my deserts.

       Yea, Lord, I confess, that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever, and thy compassion which never fails, that is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed. But with thee, O Lord, there is mercy, and plenteous redemption. In the multitude, therefore, of thy mercy, and confidence in Christ’s merits, I entreat thy divine Majesty that thou wouldst not enter into judgment with thy servant, neither be extreme to mark what I have hitherto done amiss: for if thou dost, then no flesh can be justified in thy sight, nor any living stand in thy presence. But be thou merciful unto me, and wash away all the uncleanness of my sin, with the merits of that precious blood which Jesus Christ hath shed for me.

       And seeing that he hath borne the burden of that curse which was due to my transgressions, O Lord deliver me from my sins, and from all those judgments which hang over my head, as due unto me for them, and separate them as far from thy presence as the east is from the west! Bury them in the burial of Christ, that they may never have power to rise up against me, to shame me in this life, or to condemn me in the world which is to come.

       And I beseech thee, O Lord, not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb, but also to purge my heart, by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption; that I may feel thy Spirit more and more killing my sin, in the power and practice thereof, so that this day I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee, the everlasting God, in righteousness and holiness.

       And give me grace, that by the direction and assistance of the same Holy Spirit, I may persevere to be thy faithful and unfeigned servant to my life’s end; that when this mortal life is ended, I may be made a partaker of immortality and everlasting happiness in thy heavenly kingdom.

       In the meantime, O Lord, whilst it is thy blessed will and pleasure that I may continue to spend and end that small number and remnant of days which thou hast appointed for me to live in this vale of misery, teach me so to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom: and as thou dost add days unto my life, so, good Lord, I beseech thee, add repentance and amendment to my days, that as I grow in years, so I may increase in grace and favour with thee and all thy people.

       And to this end, give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me, and necessary for me, with an increase of all those good gifts wherewith thou hast already endowed me; that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life, and honest conversation, as that thy name may thereby be glorified, others may take good example by me, and my soul may more cheerfully feed on the peace of a good conscience, and be more replenished with the joy of the Holy Ghost.

       And here, O Lord, according to my bounden duty, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all those blessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me.

       And namely, for that thou hast of thy free love, according to thine eternal purpose, elected me, before the foundation of the world was laid, unto salvation in Jesus Christ;

       —for that thou hast created me after thine own image, and hast begun to restore that in me which was lost in our first parents;

       —for that thou hast effectually called me, by the working of thy Spirit, in the preaching of the gospel, and the receiving of the sacraments, to the knowledge of thy saving grace, and obedience to thy blessed will;

       —for that thou hast bought and redeemed me, with the blood of thine only-begotten Son, from the torments of hell, and thrall of Satan;

       —for that thou hast, by faith in Christ, freely justified me, who am by nature the child of wrath;

       —for that thou hast in good measure sanctified me by thy Holy Spirit, and given me so large a time to repent, together with the means of repentance.

       I thank thee likewise, good Lord, for my life, health, wealth, food, raiment, peace, prosperity, and plenty; and for that thou hast preserved me this night from all perils and dangers of body and soul, and hast brought me safe to the beginning of this day.

       And as thou hast now wakened my body from sleep, so, I beseech thee, waken my soul from sin, and carnal security; and as thou hast caused the light of the day to shine in my bodily eyes, so, good Lord, cause the light of thy Word and Holy Spirit to illuminate my heart; and give me grace, as one of thy children of light, to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day; and that I may endeavour to keep faith and a clear conscience towards thee, and towards all men, in all my thoughts, words, and dealings.

       And so, good Lord, bless all my studies and actions which I shall take in hand this day, as that they may tend to thy glory, the good of others, and the comfort of my own soul and conscience in that day when I shall make my final account to thee.

       O my God, keep thy servant, that I do no evil to any man this day; and let it be thy blessed will not to suffer the devil nor his wicked angels, nor any of his evil members, or my malicious enemies, to have any power to do me hurt or violence. But let the eye of thy holy Providence watch over me for good and not for evil; and command thy holy angels to pitch their tents round about me, for my defence and safety in my going out and coming in, as thou hast promised they should do about them that fear thy name.

       Into thy hands, O Father, I do here commend my soul and body, my actions, and all that ever I have, to be guided, defended, and protected by thee; being assured, that whatsoever thou takest into thy custody cannot perish, nor suffer any hurt or harm.

       And if I at any time this day shall through frailty forget thee, yet, Lord, I beseech thee, do thou in mercy remember me.

       And I pray not unto thee, O Father, for myself alone; but I beseech thee also be merciful unto thy whole church, and chosen people, wheresoever they live upon the face of the earth. Defend them from the rage and tyranny of the devil, the world, and antichrist. Give thy gospel a free and a joyful passage through the world, for the conversion of those who belong to thine election and kingdom.

       Bless the churches and kingdoms wherein we live with the continuance of peace, justice, and true religion. Bless our President, governors, legislators and judges, and all those who rule over men.  Increase the in all spiritual graces which may make them fit for those places for which thou hast ordained them. Direct all in authority, ministers, and magistrates of this church and commonwealth, to govern the people in true religion, justice, obedience, and tranquility. Be merciful unto all the brethren which fear thee, and call upon thy name.

       And comfort as many among them as are sick and comfortless in body or mind; especially be favourable to all such as suffer any trouble or persecution for the testimony of thy truth, and holy gospel; and give them a gracious deliverance out of all their troubles, which way it shall seem best to thy wisdom, for the glory of thy name, the further enlarging of the truth, and the more ample increase of their own comfort and consolation.

       Hasten thy coming, O blessed Saviour, and end these sinful days; and give me grace, that like a wise virgin I may be prepared with oil in my lamp to meet thee, the blessed bridegroom, at thy coming, whether it be by the day of death, or of judgment; and then, Lord Jesus, come when thou wilt, even Lord Jesus come quickly.

       These, and all other graces which thou knowest needful and necessary for me, this day and evermore, I humbly beg and crave at thy hands, O Father, giving thee thy glory, in that form of prayer, which Christ himself hath taught me to say unto thee: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” &c.

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Ps 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Mt. 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

I Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Mt. 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Is. 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Ps. 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Ja. 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Is. 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Is. 64:6

Rm. 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ps. 11:5  The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.  Pr. 13:15

Is. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

I Jn. 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ez. 9:6  And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Rm. 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Ps. 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

Ps. 130:3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Tit. 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appear-ed, 5 Not by works of right-eousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Ps 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

I Pt. 1:18,19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeem-ed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Rom. 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

2 Cor. 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Gal. 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

I Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath be-gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incor-ruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Job 14:5  Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.

Ps.90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

2 Cor. 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Phil. 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I Pt. 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1Pt. 3:15, 16.

Rev. 7: 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and with-out blame before him in love:

I Pt. 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Gn. 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Eph. 4:24 … put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Rm. 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Eph. 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath,even as others.

1Co. 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Ps. 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  how  great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Ro 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation near-er than when we believed.

Eph. 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Ps. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Jn. 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself ….

2 Jn. 1:6  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the be-ginning, ye should walk in it.

1Tim. 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Ps. 90:17 – And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Ps. 19:13 – Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

2Ch. 16:9 – the eyes of the LORD run to and fro through-out the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Ps. 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Ps. 121:4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

2 Tim. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am per-suaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

I Pt. 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Pr. 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

Ps. 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Zech. 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.  Zech. 9:16

2 Thess. 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

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I Tim. 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2 Sam. 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Ps. 145:18  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

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Is. 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Ps. 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

I Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Tim.  4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Pt. 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to re-serve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

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Rv. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  Rv. 22:7, 7, 22.

Mtt. 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

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Ph. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Mt. 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.