EIGHTEENTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Evening

ETERNAL God, who art gracious unto all who come to Thee, enable us now to look up to Thee, in child-like confidence, as our Father in heaven. Oh! what love hast Thou shown unto us, that we should be called the children of God! Fill our hearts, we pray Thee, with a deep sense of thy goodness and mercy. Send the Spirit of thy dear Son into our hearts, that we may indeed love Thee, and trust Thee, and obey Thee as our Father.

We feel ashamed, O our Father, that in so many things we continually grieve and displease Thee. We owe it to thy merciful forbearance that we are not lying under condemnation, and that we can plead the blood of Jesus, thy dear Son, which cleanseth from all sin. Do Thou wash us, and we shall be clean. Do Thou forgive us in thy mercy, and then shall not our sins be remembered. And grant that we may have grace to see the loving hand of our heavenly Father in all the circumstances of our life, overruling outward events for good, and upholding and renewing our hearts by the guidance and strength of the Holy Ghost. We thank Thee, Lord, for all that Thou hast done for us. We cannot praise Thee enough for thy undeserved goodness. Help us to love Thee more, and to show our gratitude by a heartier consecration of ourselves and all that we are to thy service.

We desire, O God, to be growing in grace, and to experience more deeply and constantly the gracious work of thy Holy Spirit. We are often tempted to forget Thee. Leave us not, we pray Thee, to ourselves; but guide, and teach, and strengthen us day by day. May we, in thy strength, walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and have a spiritual mind, which is life and peace. Mortify and subdue in us all that is displeasing to Thee—the sinful temper, the unruly desire, the hasty speech, the selfish spirit, and whatever else hinders the perfect work of thy Spirit within us—that we may live here in thy favour, and hereafter in thy presence and glory.

Look in mercy on all who are still unconverted. Show them their danger: open their eyes to see and make their hearts to feel how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God. If any of them are yet without the Spirit of Christ, arouse them to flee from the wrath to come. Let none of us, O God, or any who are dear to us, receive in vain thy heavenly grace and message.

We commend ourselves to thy care. Be with us through the night. Shield us from evil, and give us refreshing rest and sleep. We ask all in the name of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.