EIGHTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

GRACIOUS Lord God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art able and willing to do for us more than we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy. Forgive us all those things of which our consciences are now afraid, and give us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. We bless thy name, O God, for the light of thy Gospel. We thank Thee for the knowledge of redeeming mercy, and that we can come to thy footstool in the assurance that in Christ Thou hast reconciled the world to Thyself, and that whosoever cometh to Thee Thou wilt in no wise cast out. Draw us, O Lord, by thy Spirit. Bring us nearer and nearer to Thee by thy grace, and give us the comforting experience of thy forgiveness and thy love.

We praise Thee for the renewed mercies of the morning. Life, and health, and peace, are thine; and in such measure as Thou seest good, Thou distributest them. We pray that we may be more thankful for thy gifts, and may have the heart day by day to make them instrumental for thy glory. Especially we ask of Thee, O God, guidance and strength for this day’s duty. May we be as in thy sight all the day long. Cheer us in the midst of discouragement and disappointment. Prosper the work of our hands, and let all our labour and toil be lightened by a sense of thy presence and of thy love. Let not temptation assail us; and if it does, let it not overcome us. As long as Thou seest fit for us to be in the world, keep us from the evil that is in it, that neither business nor pleasure may keep our hearts back from Thee, or so choke thy Word within us as to make it unfruitful. Deepen our love to Thee, that we may do all such things as please Thee. Increase in us true religion, and let its influence pervade our entire life, both at home and abroad. Nourish us with all goodness, and let it strengthen us with a holy courage to continue steadfast in the ways of thy commandments. May we be patient and meek in all our intercourse with others, and strive in all things to do unto them as we would they should do unto us. Keep us in safety to the end of our earthly career, and glorify us, with Thyself and thy dear Son, in the kingdom which is everlasting.

Shed thy choicest blessings on all whom we love. [Let the children before Thee be partakers of thy grace, and feel thy love shining brightly in their hearts. Do Thou train and teach them by thy Spirit. Make them thine now, and keep them thine for ever.] Hear us, O God, in these our prayers and thanksgivings, we pray Thee, for thy dear Son’s sake. Amen.