FIFTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Creator of heaven and earth, by whose never-failing providence all things are upheld and governed, look down in mercy, we humbly beseech Thee, upon us thy servants, who desire to begin this day by putting ourselves under thy guidance and protection. Thou, even Thou alone, art the God of all the families of the earth; to Thee alone belong glory, and honour, and power, for Thou madest all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Be with us, Lord, we beseech Thee, this day in our going out and coming in, and keep us in all our ways. Thou knowest our frame, and rememberest that we are dust. Strengthen us by thy Spirit in the inner man, that we, being strong in Thee and in the power of thy might, may lay aside every weight, and especially the sin that does most easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us. Give us grace that we may faithfully and diligently fulfil all our appointed duties, and so have a conscience void of offence both towards Thee and towards men.

Thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor thine ear heavy that it cannot hear. Oh, do Thou, who didst deliver thy people of old from hard bondage, and didst divide the waters of the sea, making a way for thy ransomed ones to pass over, deliver us from the guilt and bondage of sin, and make a way for us to escape from the sins and snares of the world, and from all the dangers and temptations to which we are exposed in this present life. Thou knowest, Lord, how weak and ignorant we are of ourselves; graciously strengthen, guide, and direct us, that we may walk in the way of thy precepts.

Amidst all our cares and distractions, enable us to feel conscious of thy presence, and to set Thee always before us. Thou art about our path, and observest all our ways. May we therefore strive to approve ourselves in all things to Thee, the heart-searching God. Suffer us not, gracious Lord, through fear of man, ever to be ashamed of thy name, but give us grace that we may boldly confess Thee before men, and be faithful witnesses for thy truth, both with our lips and in our lives.

Pour out thy heavenly grace abundantly on all who are dear to us [and especially on the younger members of this household]. May they all be numbered among thy saints, and be daily found at thy footstool praying for themselves as we now pray for them. Sow the seed of thy truth in all their hearts, that whatsoever from thy Word they may profitably learn they may indeed fulfil the same. Hear us, merciful Father, for the sake of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.