Almighty God, the Everlasting Lord, and Giver of every good and perfect gift,—bestow upon us at this time those things that are Thine, even joy and gladness, for Thou art ever-blessed. Pity and pardon us that we are so little able to be like Thee in these things; for upon us are the stains of sin and the dust of earth, the signs of strife and the marks of passion. Look upon us of Thy love, that these things may be taken away, and that we who have been sick in soul, and oft-times faint in faith, may through the gift of Thine exceeding gladness rise to Thy joy. Forgive our sins, and so take away the sting of death. Grant us Thy love here as the earnest of the Spirit, that we, receiving of Thine in this mortal state, may hope to receive of Thine in the world which is to come—Amen.

George Dawson.