FIFTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

MOST gracious God, on coming into thy presence, we acknowledge Thee as the God of truth and power, and believe that what Thou hast promised Thou art able and willing to perform. Look favourably upon us and bless us, for the sake of Him in whom all thy promises are faithfulness and truth.

We entreat Thee to accept our humble offering of praise for having again permitted us to experience thy goodness during another night. It is of thy mercies we are not consumed.

We read in thy Word that Thou didst make unto thy servants of old, the patriarchs, many rich promises. These Thou didst graciously fulfil, in their protection and guidance, and in accomplishing thy Divine purposes concerning them. We praise Thee for these examples, written for our learning, and pray to be encouraged and instructed by them. May we rejoice that there are given to us also exceeding great and precious promises, so that by them we may be made partakers of the Divine nature. Grant that, having these, it may be our endeavour this day to cleanse ourselves from all sinfulness of the flesh and spirit. Bring us, we beseech Thee, O Father of all our mercies, more fully into the enjoyment of thy promises made to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Renew and sanctify our hearts by thy Holy Spirit. Help us prayerfully to seek circumcision of the heart and the spirit: that we may worship Thee in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in the flesh. Enable us faithfully to perform the duties in which we shall engage this day. As members of a Christian family, may we love each other fervently, and avoid everything in word and deed which would offend Thee and destroy that harmony which should exist among us. Grant that we may strive to carry into all our engagements the spirit of truth, peace, unity, and concord. Oh, forbid that we should be careless and unconcerned about these things. To this end impress our minds with the solemn truth that Thou God seest us; that wherever we are, whether at home or abroad, we cannot be where Thou art not.

O Lord, we now commit ourselves to thy care. Point out the way of safety in all that we have to do, and help us to walk therein. Oh, that we may listen this day in all things to the promptings and warnings of thy Holy Spirit, and not grieve him by our wilfulness and disobedience. Thou knowest our weaknesses and wants, how many and constant they are. Oh, supply all our need out of thy abundance, and bring us safely to thy kingdom of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we ask every blessing. Amen.