FIFTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

OUR Father, which art in heaven, we desire to glorify thy name. We are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and yet we are bidden by Thee to come and ask for the greatest of them all. We fall at thy feet, and ask Thee to make us citizens of thy heavenly kingdom. We have been selfish, and proud, and worldly, but we pray Thee to give us that Holy Spirit which can consume our lusts, and humble our pride, and enable us, from the depths of our spirits, to cry unto Thee, Abba, Father. We dare not disbelieve thy promise; and though often broken-hearted and crushed by our sins, we take Thee at thy word, and lay hold of thy strength, and desire nothing so much as to be at peace with Thee. We have an infinite need. May we hunger and thirst after thy righteousness. May we crave a peace that passes all understanding, and yearn after a joy that is unspeakable. We cry unto Thee to give us a perfect love, that can cast out all fear. We humble ourselves before Thee; Thou alone canst exalt us. We mourn; Thou alone canst comfort us. We are dark; Thou art able to shed such light upon us that we shall become children of the light and of the day, and be ourselves as lights in the world.

O God, Thou hast comforted us to-night by the gracious words of our Lord. He has blessed our hunger and thirst, our sense of helplessness, our consciousness of disease, our fears and our groanings. May we receive his righteousness, and be complete in Him. May his precious, atoning blood, cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May the purity of heart which He gives, the single eye which He bestows, see Thee, O living God. We wish to see Thee in Him, to see Thee in the dark mysteries of thy providence, in the wondrous things of thy law, and in the workings of our own hearts. We beseech Thee show us thy glory. Let us see Thee so clearly that this vision of thy face shall be an earnest of our purchased possession, a foretaste of heaven itself.

Another day is before Thee, and Thou seest all its sins, and neglect, and follies. Pardon and strengthen us. May to-morrow be a better, and happier, and holier day; and as the days pass by, may we have more of hope, and faith, and charity; more of Christ, and more of heaven in them. Watch over us, and all whom we love, to-night. Have mercy upon our sinful world. May all men acquaint themselves with Thee, and be at peace. O Christ, be our advocate with our Father and with thy Father to-night. And as we ask what we will, that it may be done unto us, may the Father be glorified in the Son: to whom, with the Holy Ghost, be all glory for ever. Amen.