ELEVENTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

O GOD, we adore thy blessed name, and pray that our hearts may be kindled by the remembrance of thy glory. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Thou art the Almighty God, who doest as Thou wilt in heaven above and in earth beneath. Thou art the holy God, who hatest and abhorrest sin. Thou art the faithful and true God, whose promises stand fast for ever and ever. Hear Thou from heaven, thy dwelling-place; and when Thou hearest have mercy and forgive, and do for us according to the riches of thy grace and love in Jesus Christ our Lord.

From our very hearts we thank Thee, heavenly Father, for all thy mercy to us, and especially for the day of rest, and the ordinances of the house of prayer. By thy Spirit so work in us to will and to do, that these blessings may not be in vain. We beseech Thee ever to deepen in us the conviction of our own unworthiness. When we confess our sins publicly before Thee this day, fill us with shame at the remembrance of them. Let thy grace work in our hearts, humbling us before the cross of thy Son, and preparing us to hear with joy the message of thy pardoning grace and reconciling love. Glory be to thy name that thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor thine ear heavy that it cannot hear. Implant in our hearts the comforting sense of thy forgiveness, that being justified by faith, we may have peace with God through thy dear Son, and rejoice in hope of thy glory.

In the midst of all our trials and temptations, enable us to see that Thou art teaching us. If thy hand be laid upon us in chastisement, and Thou callest our sins to remembrance, as Thou didst the sins of Judah and his brethren, at the same time reveal to us thy mercy, that we may not be overwhelmed by the fear of thy wrath. Keep us ever humble and watchful against the sinfulness of our hearts, and the temptations of evil around us. Be Thou in all things our Shield and Strength, and let thy good Spirit guide and help us.

According to thy promise, be present with all who this day meet in thy name. Preserve us from all that would distract the mind, or cause us to forget that Thou art near. Give wisdom to thy ministers, and let none of their words fall to the ground. Have mercy on many who are now estranged from Thee. Draw them to thy house, and sow the seed of thy Word in their hearts. Glorify thy dear Son, and let Him see this day of the travail of his soul. O God, in thy mercy answer us, and bless us for his sake. Amen.