Two Prayers for a Christian Maiden
By Esaias Heidenreich
A Prayer for a Christian Maiden
O my heavenly Father, from whom everything good for the body and soul is graciously obtained: Because You recognized me as Your child and daughter in holy Baptism, I, O righteous Father and faithful God, take You as my refuge in all my duties, and I ask You from my heart that You would not turn the eyes of Your mercy from me, that You would govern me through Your Holy Spirit, that You would shield me from wickedness, shame, and sin, and that as You have gladdened, cared for, and provided for chaste Rebekah, Sarah, and other believing hearts and daughters in previous times, You would also let Your holy angels defend my honor, chastity, and conscience against the devil and wicked mockery, and through my dear parents and good, faithful friends see to it that I might enter into the holy estate of marriage with a pious and Christian heart and in Your fear and blessing, so that I may praise and laud You therein. Amen.
A Maiden's Prayer of Sarah, the Daughter of Raguel, from the book of Tobit, in chapter 3.
Praised be Your name, O Lord, God of our fathers, for when You are angry, You show grace and goodness, and in tribulation You forgive the sins of those who call upon You. To You, O my Lord, I turn my sight. To You, I raise my eyes and ask You that You would redeem me from this burdensome disgrace or take me from here to Yourself. You know, O Lord, that I have not lusted after any man, and I have preserved my soul pure from every wicked desire, and I have kept myself from unchaste and frivolous company. I have desired to have a husband, but in Your fear, not due to impropriety. And either I have not been worthy of them or they have not been worthy of me, and perhaps You have preserved me for another man, for Your counsel is not in man's power.
But this I know indeed: Whoever serves God will be comforted after trial, redeemed from affliction, and, after chastisement, will find grace, for You have no pleasure in perishing. After storms, You let the sun shine again, and after wailing and weeping, You shower us with joy. To Your name be eternal glory and praise, O God of Israel. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Kirchen und Hausgebetlein (1582)
Andrea Vaccaro, Raguel’s Blessing of His Daughter Sarah before Leaving Ecbatana with Tobias (c. 1640)