An Orphan’s Prayer for God’s Care

O gracious and merciful God and Father! I poor, forsaken child cast myself before Thy exalted throne, and, in all humility and sincerity of heart, I pray Thee to take me into Thy Fatherly care. Alas, it has pleased Thee in Thy wise counsel to deprive me of the care and training of my parents! And now, whither shall I go? I am an orphan; I no longer have a father! Who will now care for me? I therefore come to Thee, loving God and Father. Do Thou care for me, do Thou have compassion on me. I was cast upon Thee from the womb; Thou hast been my trust from my youth. Behold my father and my mother forsake me; but do Thou, Lord, take me up.

O my God, who feedest the birds which fly over the fields, who clothest the flowers, and providest for the wild beasts of the forest: Thou wilt also, as a faithful Father, care for me, have mercy upon me, and be gracious unto me. Mine eyes turn to Thee. I lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

I know that I am not forsaken by Thee, though I be forsaken by men. O how many examples there are of children whose parents Thou didst permit to die, but whom Thou didst nevertheless gloriously lead, provide for, and sustain.

O God, who didst draw Moses out of the water, look upon me, who am almost overwhelmed by the waves of affliction. O Lord Jesus, who didst care for little children and bless them: bless me also; take me into the arms of Thy mercy, carry me, and preserve me from harm. O blessed Holy Spirit, who leadest the believing and the youth, lead me also. Show me Thy ways O Lord; lead me in Thy truth. Unite my heart to fear Thy name. O Triune God, be Thou my Preserver to guard me, my Helper to support me, my Guide to accompany me when I go out and in. Provide me with good friends wherever I may go; raise up well-wishers and benefactors who shall pity my wretchedness. Let my guardians be filled with love toward me. Do good to them also according to" Thy mercy, preserve them from harm, and recompense to them in temporal, spiritual, and heavenly blessings whatever good they do to me.

Give me a humble and obedient heart, that I may not lose the favor and benefactions of my well-wishers through my obstinacy, vicious conduct, malice, or wickedness. Guard me against temptations, that I may not by reason of my poverty deny Thee or fall from the faith: and help me to increase constantly in the knowledge and love of Thee. Let Thy good Spirit always lead, sanctify, rule, and keep me, lest I be led by evil company into willful sin. Let me not fall into carousing or unchastity; and preserve me from a perverse heart.

O gracious God and Father, make me afraid to follow godless ways; warn me when I am in danger of going astray; remind me of my duty when I am tempted to seek that which is evil; uphold me when I fall; bring me back to the right path when I would wander from it; strengthen me when I am weak; restore me to health when I am sick. O faithful God and Father, I commit myself entirely into Thy hands. Do Thou watch over my going out and my coming in. Then will I thank and praise Thee for all Thy goodness. My tongue shall say: This God hath wrought: God has blessed, preserved, accompanied, guided, and sustained me. I will tell abroad how Thou hast shown Thyself a gracious Father to me.

O Lord, Lord, hear the prayer of the forsaken orphan, hear the voice of Thy child. Thou art become my Father in Holy Baptism; into Thy arms my parents laid me after my earthly birth. Thou art a rich and immortal Father, an all-wise and loving Father; therefore be gracious to Thy child. I know Thou art able and willing to help me; therefore, O Lord, help me for Thy goodness’ sake, that I may, at last, be able to say to Thy praise: The Lord hath done great things for me; whereof I am glad. Amen.