EIGHTEENTH WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

O GOD, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal.

In our passage through the wilderness of this world, may thy Holy Spirit ever bring to our sight the truth of the written Word; and may that Word be constantly a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. And if human teaching speaks not according to the law and to the testimony, may we be assured that there is no light in it. Keep us mindful that nothing can supply the want of thy blessed presence, that no outward ordinances can of themselves effect that inward cleansing and that spiritual nourishment which Thou alone canst impart.

Give us grace, O Lord, to remember that, however free from the guilt of worshipping or bowing down to images of wood and stone, we are ever prone to spiritual idolatry; and may we resist every temptation to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for evermore. And to this end, we beseech Thee so to set before us the beauty and glory of our incarnate Redeemer, that we may be constrained by his love to say, Whom have we in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that we desire besides Thee.

Alas! O Lord, we know but too well how grievously we have sinned against Thee in time past, by following the devices and desires of our own hearts, or the example and practice of those who know not Thee, rather than the plain directions of thy Word, and the leadings of thy Spirit. Well might thy wrath be hot against us; justly mightest Thou consume us. But spare us, we pray Thee, for thy name’s sake, and hear the intercession of our great High Priest pleading for us at thy right hand.

Be with us, we beseech Thee, in all the duties of this day. Let thy Spirit abide with us, teaching us what we ought to do, and enabling us to do it as in thy sight and for thy glory. Shed thy blessings on all whom we love. Make them the temples of thy grace, and the devoted followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Look upon the Church, enlarge its borders, and gather day by day into its fold many wandering souls. Give wisdom to all in authority, and guide their counsels. Sanctify and comfort the hearts of the sorrowing, and hasten the time when there shall be no more death, nor crying, nor sorrow, because the old things have passed away. Hear us, we pray Thee, for thy dear Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.