FIFTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

O LORD, our Lord, we thank Thee for the tender mercy and watchful care that have preserved our lives to the beginning of another day, and for the great and many blessings of every kind by which we are surrounded; but we more especially thank Thee that through the atonement of thy dear Son we may come unto Thee this morning as children to a loving Father; not as servants, but as sons, even as the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. May we more thoroughly enjoy and more highly value the manner of love that has been bestowed upon us that we should be called thy children, and may we be helped to look forward with joyful expectation to that blessed time when we shall be with Thee, our Father, in the house of many mansions. We ask Thee to help us to-day to walk worthy of this high vocation whereunto we are called, and to assist us to show in our conduct, and by our words and spirit, whose we are and whom we serve. May our light so shine before men that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father in heaven. Give us grace and wisdom this day rightly to fulfil the duties devolving on us in our varied stations and relationships. Teach us, O God, our Father, in all things, to see Thee, and to do everything as to the Lord and not as unto men; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the children of God, doing the will of God from the heart. We pray Thee that Thou wouldst so send forth thy light and thy truth that all people may come to know Thee and to serve Thee as their Father. Gather out thy children from the uttermost parts of the earth; and may those who are now living far from Thee, without God and without hope in the world, be drawn by the teachings of thy blessed Spirit unto Jesus Christ, and through him call Thee Father.

May thy kingdom, O Lord, come into every land, and may Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We would pray for all our kindred and friends, specially for those in affliction, whether of mind, body, or estate. It is our joy to know that although some whom we love may be far off from us, they cannot be far from Thee; thine eye is on them as it is on us, and Thou knowest all their needs. Lord, bless them, we pray Thee, with needful grace, and in thine own good time give them a happy issue out of all their afflictions.

To Thee we commit ourselves for this day. Defend us from the dangers which may beset us in body or soul. Constrain us, by the love of Christ, to do thy will and to please Thee in all things. Grant us these mercies and all else that is good for us according to thy gracious promises, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.