Prayer after Loss by Fire

Lord, almighty God! How dreadful a thing it is to fall into Thy hands! How unendurable is Thy wrath when Thou lettest it fall upon men. We have experienced this truth in the conflagration with which Thou hast visited us, and by which Thou hast taken away from us a large part of Thy blessings previously bestowed. We acknowledge that we have amply deserved Thy punishment. We acknowledge our sin unto Thee, and our iniquity do we not hide. We have not always employed Thy gifts as faithfully as we ought. We have frequently been unjust stewards. We owe Thee perhaps more than ten thousand talents. It is no wonder then, that Thou hast chastened us in Thine anger, and punished us.

Alas, that we should have sinned so greatly against Thee! Alas, that we should have so grossly offended against Thee! We fall down at Thy feet, and humbly beg Thee for mercy. We abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. We seek Thy face: O let us for Christ’s sake find favor in Thy sight. Attend unto us, and hear us: we mourn in our complaint, and make a noise. Rebuke us no longer in Thine anger, neither chasten us in Thy hot displeasure; but have mercy upon us, O Lord; for we are weak. O Lord, heal us; for our bones are vexed. Have mercy upon us according to Thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions. Enter not further into judgment with Thy servants; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. Remember that we are dust and ashes. Show us a token for good. Comfort us again, after having smitten us so hard. Heal us again after having wounded us so sorely.

Replace by Thy blessing what the flames have devoured and reduced to ashes. Raise up sympathizing friends to assist and help us. Bless our occupation and labor, and establish the work of our hands; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it for Thy name’s sake. Let goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life; and let us never again feel that Thou art angry with us. Make us careful in handling fire and lamps, that we may not by our carelessness bring terror and loss to ourselves or our neighbors.

Above all make us truly good. Grant that the cross which Thou hast laid upon us may lead us to Thee and keep us faithful to Thee till our end. Strengthen us to avoid all sin and to walk before Thee in newness of life. Give us grace so to employ the new blessings which Thou shalt give us, that we may be able to render an account to Thee. Let Thy Spirit lead and guide us, and at last graciously bring us to the heavenly kingdom which Thou hast prepared from the foundation of the world for them that love Thee. Amen.