16. PRAYER WHEN PUTTING OUT TO SEA

     Behold, eternal God, I now launch out upon the deep and commit myself to the wild, rough sea.  Here I am floating on the water, between heaven and  earth, as it were, and on so small and fragile a structure as cannot protect itself, much less me. Upon whom, then, am I a poor human being, torely?  Ah, pon Thee alone and Thy fatherly protection and care, my God and Lord; for neither man nor any other of Thy creatures can save me.  The wind bloweth whither it listeth;the sea raiseth its billows; beneath me I see no footing and above me only the bare heavens.  My fellow-beings at my side are in like danger and anxiety; therefore, O God, I lift mine eyes up to Thee, from whom alone my help cometh; my help cometh from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.  To Thee I entrust myself, my body and soul, to be Thine own with all I have and possess.  To Thee alone I look, in Thee I trust, my hope rests with Thee; there is no help with man.  Bear up this ship in Thy hands, guard and keep me in it, yea, be Thou with me in the vessel; for otherwise, O Lord, we perish.  "Whom have I in heaven but Thee?  And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee."  When now leaving the land behind me, grant that I may also leave behind me all trust in human or earthly aid and rely entirely upon Thee.  Behold, O Lord, I surrender myself entirely to Thy pleasure; shape my destiny as accords with Thy will and best advances my soul's salvation. Into Thy hands do I commit myself; behold, Thou hast graven me upon the palms of Thy hands; no one shall pluck me out of Thy hand, for "I am of the people of Thy pasture and the sheep of Thy hand."  Being assured of this, I will gladly live and die by the help of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.