Let us Pray

Eternal Maker and Ruler of the world , praise waiteth for Thee in Zion ; yet as Thou art infinitely greater than all hymns of praise , silence is praise to Thee in Sion . The angelic choirs can praise Thee better in their songs , but let us in silence and wonder fall down at the footstool of Thy throne , while they repeat that , their continual cry ; "Holy , Holy , Holy , God of hosts , who filleth heaven and earth with His glory !"But O that we had within us the faculty of setting forth that most holy NAME!That Name which according to their measure , all things of this visible world which surround us celebrate , the heavens and the stars , the winds and the rivers , the earth and the ocean , and every kind of living creatures . Surely Thou hast put within us souls and faculties suited for such employment , above all other creatures , whereby we are able to offer such praises with the light of the intellect , and animated with the fervour of our affections , and to express more articulately those very songs of all the rest of Thy visible creatures . But these heavenly souls of ours , even particles of the breath of God , alas how deeply we have immersed them in the mire ! Nor can they be extricated again from the mire , and purged from their impurities , by any hand , but Thy right hand alone , O Father most hig and most gracious ! If Thou shalt deign to visit us with this grace , then at length we shall offer to Thee new songs as incense , and ourselves thus renewed as a whole burnt offering ; and what remains to us of life we shall not live to ourselves but to Him only and wholly who died for us .
                                May Thy most powerful hand sustain Thy Church universal throughout the whole world , and especially in these islands , and may the beams of Thy countenance continually make her glad . Let our King be joyful in Thee , and trusting in Thy benignity , let him never be moved ; may piety and righteousness establish his throne , and let peace ,and the Gospel of peace bless these kingdoms ,  through Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be praise , honour and glory for ever and ever . Amen . Prayer by Robert Leighton .

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