Mercy for the Lost and Forgotten
Confesses wandering, seeks the Shepherd’s personal care for lonely and overlooked people, and gives thanks for growing liberty and deliverance from oppression.
Historical edition. Historical claims and instructions are preserved as historical context.
MOST HOLY GOD! one cry is the cry for all: “We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep.” Let not the largeness of our sins and errors make us forget the largeness of Thy mercy; our great need, the greatness of Thy supply. Teach us to trust in Thy love. Help us that we may day by day seek more after Thee We acknowledge that without Thee we cannot live as we should.
Almighty! Whose it is to know each of Thy children, give to each the help and guidance he most needs. Comfort us if in the midst of the vastness of Thy kingdom we cannot help thinking we are forgotten; if our poor cry seems unable to pierce through the rolling majesty of Thy worlds, so marvellous in their going, so wonderful in their beauty. In the hours of our pain and passion and sorrow, in our lonely and forsaken days, let the good Shepherd come unto us, for He knoweth His sheep by name. Let us remember that there is no great and no small to Thee. The pleasure of God is in those that fear Him.
When the pomps and powers of this world go by us, and we look longingly, lingeringly at them, let there be comfort to us in the thought that Thou hast passed by the proud, and hast lifted up the lowly and the forgotten. Help us when we seem to be orphans in this world that grinds on with such sternness of unbroken law. Let us remember the gospel that was preached to the poor, that was light to the blind, healing to the bruised, and deliverance to the captive. Let us see how Thou lovest those whom the world has cast out with scorn.
We thank Thee that our eyes behold the time when ignorance is passing away. The life of the land is for all that live in it. Thou hast given us to see the chain fall from the oppressed, and to behold the dawn of true liberty. We catch the light of the heavenly morning, and know of the peace that shall come upon the earth. May we hear the voice: “It is high time to awake out of sleep.” That we may awaken to what is true and pure, help us. Help us that above all things we may covet the riches of God.
Forgive our sins, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; such beauty as we can bear, not the burning beauty of Thy brightness and Thy majesty, for we are all too weak and feeble for that, but the gentle beauty of Thy holiness and purity. Hear our prayers through Thy dear Son Jesus Christ.—AMEN.