December The Third

LORD, be with my spirit, and dwell in my heart by faith. Oh, make me such as I should be towards Thee, and such as Thou mayest take pleasure in me. He with me everywhere and at all times, in all events and circumstances of my life, to sanctify and sweeten to me whatever befalls me; and never leave nor forsake me in my present pilgrimage here, till Thou hast brought me safe through all trials and dangers to be ever with Thee, there to live in Thy sight and love, world with end - Amen.

-- BENJAMIN JENKS (1646-1724) Photo by Paul Schutzer, 1957, Life magazine archives

October The Twenty-Third

OH, teach us to know Thee, our God, and enable us to do Thy will as we ought to do. Give us hearts to love Thee, to trust and delight in Thee, and to adhere and cleave in faithfulness unto Thee; that no temptations may draw us, nor any tribulations drive us, from Thee; but that all Thy dispensations to us, and all Thy dealings with us, may be the messengers of Thy love to our souls, to bring us still nearer to Thy blessed self, and to make us fitter for Thy heavenly kingdom - Amen.

-- BENJAMIN JENKS (1646-1724)
Sheep brought to church to teach young children about God's love for all creatures. Taken in Rochester, NY, U.S., October 1955, by photographer Lisa Larsen. Life magazine archives.

June The Twenty-Seventh

O THOU who art heroic love, keep alive in our hearts that adventurous spirit which makes men scorn the way of safety, so that Thy will be done. For so only, O Lord, shall we be worthy of those courageous souls who in every age have ventured all in obedience to Thy call, and for whom the trumpets have sounded on the other side; through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen.

- BENJAMIN JENKS (1646-1724)

April The Thirtieth

O ALMIGHTY GOD, help us to put away all bitterness and wrath and evil-speaking, with all malice. May we possess our souls in patience, however we are tempted and provoked, and not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
Enable us, O God of patience, to bear one another's burdens, and to forbear one another in love.
Oh, teach and help us all to live in peace and to love in truth, following peace with all men and walking in love, as Christ loved us, of whom let us learn such meekness and lowliness of heart that in Him we may find rest for our souls.
Subdue all bitter resentments in our minds, and let the law of kindness be in our tongues, and a meek and quiet spirit in all our lives. Make us so gentle and peaceable that we may be followers of Thee as dear children, that Thou, the God of peace, mayest dwell with us forevermore - Amen.

-- BENJAMIN JENKS (1646-1724)