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indulgence or an irksome severity to the fruit of their own bodies. Bless altogether the relation thou hast established between them so that parents may have the joy of seeing their children growing up as pleasant plants before thee; and children have reason to rise up, and call their parents blessed ; and to praise God for them in time and in eternity.
And thou, O God, so influence and form the minds of all children: and turn their hearts toward their parents, that they may behave towards them with all reverence, obedience and love; not stubborn when corrected for their faults; not heedless when instructed; not ungrateful to forget how much they are bound to administer to the comfort of their parents and to requit them.
In an especial manner we beg thee, O God, that we of this family, who are now kneeling before thee, may be forgiven for Christ's sake, all the instances of which we have been guilty, of irreverence, unkindness, and passion, one towards another. Make us sensible of our transgressions, heartily sorry for them, and more vigilant for the future. O! give unto us, and every family, more of thy grace and power, that we may be of one mind, who dwell together in one house on earth; that at the last day, when we appear to take our trial at the bar of God, we may not be accusers of each other, for excercising any malevolence of temper, but witnesses of the grace of our common Lord, in making us dwell together in perfect amity and Christian love. Grant, O God, these our petitions; and let us all perceive the accomplishments of them by the increase of harmony, peace and love, amongst ourselves. We ask it for the sake, and through the intercession of our only Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
