ELEVENTH WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Evening

O HEAVENLY and loving Father, we praise Thee for thy gracious promise that every one who sees the Son, and believes in Him, shall have everlasting life. Give us thy Holy Spirit, that, taking of the things that are Christ’s, He may show them to us. Grant us to grow continually in the knowledge of Jesus, and of the power of his resurrection, till we come to find that even in going to the grave there is no real death to them that are in Christ Jesus. When we are called by Thee to leave this world, may we fall to sleep, in sweet hope that nothing of Christ’s shall be lost, but our very bodies be raised up at the last day. Send us now, we beseech Thee, a token for good, and give us refreshing sleep. Or if our eyes are held waking, be Thou near us, and the very darkness shall be light in Thee.

O kind Father, thou hast preserved and provided for us during another day. We thank Thee for the earthly bread which we have eaten, and which has come from thy hand, as surely as if we had gathered it, like the manna which of old fell from the skies. We praise Thee for strength to do our daily work. Let thy blessing rest on our accomplished tasks. Forgive us our forgetfulness of the true bread which came down from heaven. Let us ever seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Blessed be thy glorious name that the entrance into the kingdom is not by works which we have done, but by believing on Him whom Thou hast sent. Lord, we hope in Him, we come to Him, sure that He will receive us, and never, never cast us out.

We commend to Thee, O gracious Father, with sympathy and compassion, all poor and destitute ones this night. Guide wanderers to the shelter of homes thou shalt open for them. Give the hungry food from hands prepared for them. Incline our hearts always to relieve, as Thou enablest us, the wants of the needy. And, O bountiful Provider of heavenly bread for the life of the world, pity all famishing souls. Awaken thy Church to scatter her stores more freely. Call men everywhere to the feast prepared for all peoples. Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! Oh, that men of every tongue, and nation, and tribe were taught no more to labour for that which is not bread, but to hearken to thy call, and eat that which is good, given by Thee for the life of the soul.

Now, O Lord, we commit to thy care, for the night, all the members of this family, young and old; and all our dear friends, far and near. Keep them night and day, till Thou bring them home; and to Thee shall be glory for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.