Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hast of Thine infinite goodness ordained that the order of our life should be disquieted by many trials of heart and spirit, and who didst decree that Thy well-beloved Son should be disciplined in the same way of hardship and pain; grant unto us, we pray Thee, in all our necessities to repose entire confidence in Thee, to feel the assurance of Thy present love, and to walk with Thee by faith, though not by sight. May no perplexity create in us an impatient spirit,—no temptation lead us into sin,—no sorrow hide Thy loving Will from us. But do Thou so increase in us all spiritual gifts, that our very trials may lead us toward a perfect and regenerate life, and, in the days of our mortal pilgrimage, we may be sustained by a strength that is greater than our own. Through Jesus Christ our Lord—Amen.

Henry W. Foote.