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performing any duty as we ought, and have no right to expect any good success in our undertakings without the assistance and blessing of Almighty God, it will be necessary, when you endeavour to instruct your children in the way they should go, to use the following, or some similar prayer.
Almighty and most merciful God, who hast promised children as a reward to the righteous, and hast been pleased to bless us, thy humble servants, with so great a mark of thy favour, grant us the blessing of life and health to see them christianly and virtuously brought up. We are sensible of our obligation, but must acknowledge our inability to discharge this important duty without thy divine aid. Be pleased, therefore, O gracious Lord! to bless our endeavours with good success. May our instructions be seasonably and properly applied, and may we have grace to enforce the practice of them, by doing every thing ourselves we wish them to do. May the seeds of eternal life be early sown in their hearts. May each of them increase in piety and virtue as they advance in years. May thy gracious providence guide them safely through the dangers and temptations of this mortal life. Be pleased to bless them with the enjoyment of health, to spend many happy days, and years in thy most holy religion. May their conduct and behaviour be such, as to prove
