EIGHTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

O THOU who didst make Thyself known to thine ancient people as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, look with compassion upon us who desire to be numbered among the spiritual Israel, and are now assembled to offer unto Thee the sacrifice of prayer and praise. Like thy servant Jacob, we entreat Thee to grant us thy blessing. We are exposed to many perils, and we have no power to resist them; all our sufficiency is in Thee. To whom can we flee for succour but unto Thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? We acknowledge that we are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shown unto thy servants; but enable us to enjoy the fulfilment of thy gracious promises given to the disciples of thy Son. Give us power, we pray Thee, to serve Thee with a willing mind, that we may enjoy the light of thy countenance and the assurance of thy protecting care. Bestow upon us wisdom to conduct ourselves aright, and ability to fulfil discreetly the duties that may this day devolve upon us. Set a guard, O God, over our lips, that we speak not unadvisedly; and do Thou bestow upon us the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Be with us in our going out and our coming in, and prosper the work of our hands. Give us grace to remember that, though unseen, Thou art about our path, and spiest out all our ways. May we daily remember that without Thee no man is strong, and no man is holy; may we look to the Wise for wisdom, and to the Strong for strength, and by thy Holy Spirit attain to that purity which is acceptable in thy sight.

We desire to dedicate ourselves anew to thy service; we acknowledge thy right to reign over us, and that thy service is perfect freedom. May our hearts become the throne of Christ, and our bodies the temples of the Holy Ghost. With these our supplications, we present unto Thee our thanksgivings for mercies temporal and spiritual. Our worldly comforts we owe to thy providence, our religious privileges we owe to thy grace. All we have and all we hope for are gifts from thy hand, for which we bless and praise thy holy name.

Remember, we beseech Thee, all for whom it is our duty to pray; especially all who are distressed in mind, body, or estate. Comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. These prayers for ourselves and others we offer unto thy Divine Majesty, through the intercession of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honour and glory henceforth and for ever. Amen.