EIGHTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Evening

GRACIOUS and glorious Lord God, Thou hast been very merciful to us this day, and we thank Thee for thy goodness. We praise Thee, O God the Father, who hast created us; and Thee, O God the Son, who hast redeemed us; and Thee, O God the Holy Ghost, who abidest with us and sanctifiest us. Strengthen our faith, we beseech Thee, in all thy love and truth. Let it not be shaken by the sorrows or temptations of life, nor allow us to be discouraged even though clouds and darkness hang at times around our path. If Thou seest trial good for us, enable us to receive it with meekness and submission, as of thy sending. Subdue in us at all times a spirit of repining or impatience. We are but weak and frail in ourselves, but in thy strength we may meet the secret promptings of doubt, and the open assaults of evil, and come off more than conquerors.

Bless to our hearts, O God, all the services in which we have been engaged this Lord’s day. Forgive the sins and selfishnesses which have stained them, and let them be accepted for the sake of Him in whose name we have performed them. As each Sabbath comes round, may it be the means of increasing our knowledge of Divine things. Make so clear to us what Thou hast revealed, that we may not be offended at Christ or his truth, but ever adore Him as our Emmanuel, God with us, our great atoning Sacrifice, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, our great High Priest, who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, our exalted King, who shall come again in the glory of his Father, and render to all according to their works. Fix what we have heard this day deeply in our hearts. Thou speakest to us in the bright tokens of blessing and in the sharpness of trial. Thou hast sent a message to us in the warnings of thy law and the invitations of thy Gospel. However Thou speakest to us, prompt us by thy Spirit at all times to say, “Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.” We ask this, O God, not alone for ourselves, but for others [for the children of this family,] for those who are bound to us by the ties of kindred and affection, for all who are yet in bondage to sin and Satan, for all who are suffering in mind, body, or estate. O God, heal the sick, quicken the dead in trespasses and sins, open the ears of those who are deaf to thy voice, and turn the feet of many into the way of thy commandments. Glorify thy name by a great increase, day by day, to the number of thy believing people.

Casting ourselves on thy care and protection for the night, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us thy peace, for thy dear Son’s sake. Amen.