Sunday Evening (Fourth Week)

MOST BLESSED GOD, whose nature and whose name is love, we desire to draw near into Thy gracious presence on this the close of another Sabbath, thanking Thee for all the tokens of Thy love we have been permitted to enjoy.

Do Thou come this night and take up. Thine abode in each heart. Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Under the blessed sense of Thy presence and nearness we would compose ourselves to rest, with our minds stayed on GOD.

We desire anew to bless and praise Thee for Thine unspeakable gift—JESUS the Son of Thy love. There is not a ray of hope which visits our dark souls but emanates from His cross. He is the channel of every blessing. We rejoice to think that He is as willing as He is able to save “to the uttermost:” that at this moment He is bending upon us a gracious eye from the Throne—that with undying and undiminished love He is pleading our cause— the voice of this our elder Brother’s blood is in a blessed sense crying out for us. As a prince, He has power with GOD and prevails. “Whosoever cometh unto Him He will in nowise cast out.”

LORD, we come, casting ourselves on the fulness of Thy grace. Make us Thine own ; sanctify us wholly, in body, soul, and spirit. Let us not be slow to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross and follow JESUS. When Thou callest us to any duty, or any trial, may we be ready with the response—“Here I am.” May even trials and crosses become easy to us when borne in a spirit of tranquil submission to Thy will. Let us be living as pilgrims on the earth—weaned from what is uncertain and transitory here, and having our affections fixed on the things which cannot be shaken, but remain forever. Oh that Thy love might be enthroned more than it is, as the ruling passion of our souls—and Thy glory more as the end and aim of our being. May we give no sleep to our eyes, nor slumber to our eyelids, till in our hearts we find a place for the LORD—an habitation for the mighty GOD of Jacob.

Do Thou follow with Thine enriching blessing all the sacred services of Thy sanctuary. May Thy word be quick and powerful :—forbid that impressions be suffered to die away—do Thou fasten them as a nail in a sure place—and may the Sabbath’s duties and employments diffuse their own solemnity and heavenliness around us throughout the week.

We remember, with affectionate sympathy, the poor—the destitute, and “ him that hath no helper”—the sick—the bereaved—the dying. LORD, draw near to all such; let them know that Thou hast grace for their every time of need, and that there is no want to them that fear Thee. We desire for our friends Thy benediction and blessing: the LORD watch between them and us when we are absent one from another: O Thou omnipresent GOD, do Thou show that no distance can sever from Thee—give them every token of Thy love—preserve them from danger —guard them from temptation—number them with Thy saints in glory everlasting. [Bless the lambs of the flock, more especially those now before Thee—Shepherd of Israel! make them Thine,—bringing them to the fold of grace on earth, and to Thy heaven of glory hereafter.

Bless that branch of Thy church with which we are connected; bless Thy holy Church universal; have mercy on those who are still sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death. May a lifted up SAVIOUR, by the attractive power of His cross, draw all men unto Him.

We commend us, blessed LORD, to Thee, and to the word of Thy grace. Do Thou watch over us during the unconscious hours of sleep. May we awake in the morning in Thy favor; that so every new day being spent to Thy glory, may find us better fitted for entering on the joys of Thine everlasting Kingdom, through the merits of JESUS CHRIST, our only SAVIOUR. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.