For our own land and nation, which we ought in a special manner to seek the welfare of, that in the peace thereof we may have peace. › We must pray earnestly for national mercies.

9. For all the ministers of God’s holy word and sacraments.

Teach thy ministers how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, that they may not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and may study to show themselves approved to God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Tim 3:15. 2 Cor 4:5. 2 Tim 2:15.

‘Make them mighty in the scriptures, that from thence they may be thoroughly furnished for every good work; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and sound speech, which cannot be condemned. Acts 18:24. 1 Tim 5:10 Titus 2:7–8.

Enable them to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditate upon these things, to give themselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, to give themselves wholly to them; and to continue in them, that they may both save themselves and those that hear them. 1 Tim 4:13, 15, 16. Acts 6:4.

Let utterance be given to them, that they may open their mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, that thereof they may speak, as they ought to speak: as able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit ; and let them obtain mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Eph 6:19, 20. 2 Cor 3:6. 1 Cor 7:25.

Let the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; and let them be full of power by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, to show thy people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Gen 49:24. Mic 3:8. Isa 58:1.

Make them sound in the faith, and enable them always to speak the things which become sound doctrine, with meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; and let not the servants of the Lord strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach. Titus 1:13; Titus 2:1. 2 Tim 2:24, 25.

Make them good examples to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and let them be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord, and let Holiness to the Lord be written upon their foreheads. 1 Tim 4:12. Isa 52:11. Exod 28:36. ne, Lord, grant that they may not labour in vain ; or spend their strength for nought, and in vain, but let the hand of the Lord be with them, that many may believe, and turn to the Lord. Isa 49:4. Acts 11:21.

‹ For magistrates, judges, and justices of the peace. · For all the universities, schools, and nurseries of… ›

Pray now: a guided prayer in six parts, with the next heads each day.

Henry’s text is in the public domain. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, No. 265 Chestnut Street. Undated, about 1840 to 1860. The preface is dated Chester, March 25, 1710. From the Internet Archive scan. The KJV text is in the public domain.