FIFTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

GREAT and merciful God, we worship at thy footstool. New mercies received at thy hand call for new thanksgiving and praise. We bless Thee that once more we behold the morning light. Let thy favour rest upon us, unworthy though we be. Increase our knowledge of Christ, and bestow upon us more largely the graces of the Holy Spirit. Help us to raise our thoughts to heaven and heavenly things. Unite us more closely to Thee and to each other; and so united may we remain to the end of life—one in the fear of God, in the love of Christ, and in the hope of glory. Give to us, merciful Father, all the temporal good that we require. We thank Thee for the bounties of thy hand in times past. We thank Thee for health in the measure in which it has been granted to us, and for that gracious help we have received whenever, in trouble or difficulty, we have looked to Thee. So bless us, we beseech Thee, in the future, and let thy goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life.

And now, Lord, as Abraham, thy servant, was allowed to intercede with Thee, do we desire to offer, so far as our weakness will permit, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men. Cause godliness and honesty to prevail and to increase more and more amongst us. Dispose the hearts of those who are in authority to exercise their high office as under thine all-seeing eye, and in view of that account which all must render to Thee at last. May they hear, as Thou, O Lord, hearest, the cry of the oppressed; and, being both “a terror to evil-doers” and a “praise to them that do well,” may they be the ministers of God unto their subjects for good. Grant, Lord, unto such rulers as truly confide in Thee support under every trial. Guide them in every time of perplexity, overrule all their plans and proceedings for good, and give unto them at length a crown of life.

And, O Lord, hear us when we offer “prayers for all men.” Succour Thou the needy. Comfort those that are cast down. Save such as be contrite. Thou only knowest the hearts and the wants of the children of men; cause them, we beseech Thee, to trust in the shadow of thy wings. Specially do we pray that men everywhere may this day be enlightened by thy Spirit, and come to the knowledge of the truth. Reveal thy Son unto them, that through his infinite merits they may find pardon and peace.

These prayers for ourselves and others we offer, O Lord, through Christ, our only Saviour and Intercessor, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and with the Holy Spirit, one God blessed for evermore. Amen.