ELEVENTH WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

HOLY Father! in the Saviour’s precious name we again present ourselves at thy footstool, to acknowledge thy protection through another night, and to implore a continuance of thy care through the dangers of another day. We have laid us down and slept, and awaked; for Thou hast sustained us. Now be pleased to give thine angels charge concerning us, to keep us in all our ways. Lord, make us to know our end, and the measure of our days, what it is; that we may know how frail we are, and apply our hearts unto wisdom.

O Lord, be our days few or many, days of joy or sorrow, let them not be days of sin—days on which we shall have to reflect in life’s decline, and in death, with remorse or repentance. Oh, pardon all our past mis-spent days, and let the time past of our life suffice us wherein we have wrought the will of the flesh. Henceforth we would live in thy fear and to thy glory: but our strength is weakness; therefore hold Thou us up, and we shall be safe.

Impress our hearts, by what we have been reading, that life is a pilgrimage to eternity; and help us throughout the journey to keep the end in view. May we, by thy grace, be seeking, as the holy patriarchs did, a better country, that is, a heavenly. Be Thou to us, as to them, a Sun and a Shield. Direct and defend us, all through the wilderness, to the rest which remaineth to the people of God, and let not any of us come short of that rest.

Mercifully assist us now in the faithful discharge of all the duties of the day. Provide for our necessities. Order all our goings. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; and unto all endeared to us by the ties of nature or friendship impart the blessings which they severally need. Comfort all who are in sorrow, and especially do we pray Thee to be the support of the infirm and aged. Should we attain threescore or fourscore years, may our hoary heads be a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness.

We again supplicate thy mercy on behalf of our gracious Monarch and all the royal family: our several ministers of state, and magistrates. Of thy goodness provide for the poor. For Christ’s sake, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, restore every prodigal to his Father’s house. Hasten the fulfilment of thy word, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord.”

We now commit ourselves into the arms of thy love. Remember us for good, for our Lord and Saviour’s sake; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever. Amen.