Tuesday Evening (Fourth Week)

HEAVENLY FATHER, who hast in Thy providence permitted us to meet together this night, be pleased of Thine infinite mercy to vouchsafe us Thy blessing. Scatter our darkness with the beams of Thy love. Dispel all harassing thoughts and misgivings, and disquietudes; ere we retire to rest may our minds be stayed on Thee. Unto us, O LORD, belong shame and confusion of face. We mourn that we feel our guilt and unworthiness so little. We seldom have a depressing sense of our alienation from Thee. We often confess with the lip what the heart does not feel. We often appear to be humble when we are not humble; when our hearts are full of self, and pride, and vain glory.

We desire to come anew into Thy presence, casting ourselves on the free grace and love and mercy of JESUS. We rejoice that in His cross all Thine attributes have been magnified. Thou art now proclaiming to the vilest and unworthiest that Thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he would turn from his wickedness and live. Turn Thou us, O LORD, and we shall be turned.

We come to this blessed Physician of souls, rejoicing that He healeth all our diseases, that for the helpless and hopeless and dying, there is life. We will not “limit the Holy One of Israel.” Father! glorify Thy name and Thy grace in our full, free, and everlasting salvation. Enable us to live as those who are not their own, but bought with a price. May we be willing to be anything, and to do anything, and to suffer anything for that SAVIOUR who hath done and suffered so much for us; may our only grief be “ to give Him pain”—may our “joy be to serve and follow Him.” Wheresoever He wishes us tc go, may we gladly obey; though our wills may be thwarted and our plans crossed, may we feel that covenant love and wisdom cannot lead us wrong; may we “wholly follow the LORD our GOD.” Sanctify us by the indwelling of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, and bring us to live more under the influence of unseen realities.

We desire to remember before Thee all whom we love. Hide them under the shadow of the everlasting wings, until earth’s calamities be overpast. Do Thou pour Thy richest benediction on this our household; known unto Thee are all our varied circumstances, our peculiar trials, and sorrows, and temptations, and perplexities. Our every burden we cast on a faithful GOD. Our souls, our lives, our cares, we leave entirely in Thy hands, saying, “Undertake Thou for us.”

Pity the afflicted; be Thou the Father of the fatherless, the Husband of the widow, the stranger’s shield, and the orphan’s stay; let them know that when heart and flesh faint and fail, Thou art the strength of their heart and their portion forever.

Lift upon us all the light of Thy countenance ; the darkness of night has gathered around us, but do Thou shine upon us Thou better Sun:—it cannot be night if Thou be near. Watch over us during sleep, and when we awake may we be still with Thee. And all that we ask is for JESUS’ sake. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.