O Righteous Father, who hast made of one blood all nations under heaven, and with whom there is no respect of persons, look down from heaven on me a miserable sinner. And as thou hadst once compassion on the eunuch of the Queen of Candace, a negroe like myself, O Lord, let thy mercy be shewn in like manner upon me.
O send some one to teach me the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Behold I am foolish; Lord, make me wise unto salvation. Lord, I am poor, do thou enrich me by thy Spirit.
Lord, I am miserable in myself, O make me happy in thee. Lord, I am naked, O cloath my poor soul with the righteousness of thy beloved son Jesus.
Blessed by thy name, for bringing me over into a christian country. O Lord, let me not come in vain.
Make me willing in the day of thy power, and for thy mercy’s sake, reveal thy Son in me. Shew me what it is to be born again of thy Spirit, and let Jesus be my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Let me know, O Father of lights, how I have died in Adam, and how I must be made alive in Christ.
Make me contented with my condition, knowing, O Lord, that thou hast placed me in it. Let me never be tempted to rebel against my master or mistress; and enable me to be obedient not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Lord, keep the door of my lips, that I may not offend with my tongue. Keep my hands from picking and stealing, and suffer me not to behave unseemly on the Lord’s day.
Bless my master and mistress, and my labours for their sake. Bless the Governor, and all that bear rule in this province, and grant that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty.
Have mercy on my poor countrymen: Lord, suffer them no longer to sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Arise, thou Son of Righteousness, we beseech thee, O Lord, and let us know the truth as it is in Jesus. Grant I may be truly converted myself, and then, if it be thy blessed will, enable me, O Lord, to strengthen my poor brethren. O take us poor negroes for thine inheritance, and bless all those who endeavour to teach us thy will. Prosper, O Lord, the work of their hands upon them, O prosper thou their handy-work. Grant they may turn thousands and ten thousands of us to righteousness, and shine as the stars in the firmament for ever and ever. May we be their joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus, and join with them for ever and ever in singing praises to thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to whom, as three persons, but one God, I desire to give all praise, now and for evermore. Even so Lord Jesus, Amen, and Amen.
George Whitefield, from The Works of George Whitefield, published 1771