Chapter I · PRAYERS ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER A CHILD IS BORN TO A WOMAN.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Master, Lord Almighty, who healest every sickness, and every weakness; do thou thyself heal this thine handmaid, name, who to-day hath borne a child, and raise her from the bed upon which she lieth; for, according to the words of thy prophet David, we were conceived in transgressions, and are all defiled before thee. Protect her, and this child which she hath borne: shelter her under the covering of thy wings from this day even unto her last end, through the prayers of the most holy God-bearing one, and of all the Saints; for blessed art thou to ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Master, Lord our God, who wast born of our most holy Lady, the God-bearing and ever-virgin Mary, and as a babe wast laid in a manger, and as a child wast carried in arms; do thou thyself have mercy upon this thine handmaid, who to-day hath borne this child, and be gracious unto her voluntary and involuntary offences, and protect her from every diabolical cruelty; and preserve the child which she hath borne from every bane, from every harm, from every hostile rage, from evil spirits of the day and night; and preserve her under thy mighty hand; and grant unto her a speedy recovery, and cleansing from defilement, and healing of suffering; and vouchsafe to her health, and strength of soul and body; and surround her with bright and shining angels; and preserve her from every approach of invisible spirits; yea, O Lord, from sickness and infirmity, from jealousy and envy, and from the glance of eyes; and have mercy upon her, and upon the child, according to the greatness of thy mercy; and cleanse her from bodily defilement, and from diverse inward travail befalling her; and, by thy quick mercy, lead her to recovery in her bodily affliction. And vouchsafe unto the child which she hath borne to worship the earthly temple which thou hast prepared for the glorification of thy holy name. For to thee is due all glory, honour, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord our God, who wast pleased to come down from heaven and to be born of the holy God-bearing and ever-virgin Mary for the salvation of us sinners, who knowest the feebleness of human nature; be gracious, according to the greatness of thy compassions, unto thine handmaid, name, who to-day hath borne a child. For thou hast said, O Lord, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. Therefore we, thy servants, beseech thee, and, trusting in thy forbearing love to man, with fear invoke the holy name of thy kingdom, Look down from heaven and behold the feebleness of us condemned ones, and be gracious unto thine handmaid, name, and to all the house in which the child hath been born, and to all who are connected with her; and to all that here assemble be thou gracious, as the good and man-loving God. For thou alone hast power to forgive sins, through the prayers of the most holy God-bearing one, and of all thy Saints. Amen.