First Week. Friday. Evening

O GOD, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, be gracious unto us, we beseech Thee, and accept us for Christ’s sake.

We thank Thee, O Lord, for the multiplied mercies of this day. In the midst of its dangers Thou hast kept us safely. O our God, we are monuments of thy forbearance and love. Our hearts have been cold and dead, when they should have kindled with grateful love: our feet have been sluggish to duty, when they should have run in the way of thy commandments; in all things, O God, we have come short of thy glory. Could we but see ourselves as Thou seest us, we should be ashamed to lift up our eyes unto Thee. Guilty as we are, and unrighteous—stained with the defilement of many transgressions—we cast ourselves on thy mercy. Lord, whither can we turn for pardon and peace but to Thee? For Jesus Christ’s sake, O God, let not our sins be remembered. We recall, with adoring hearts, the name of thy dear Son, and take comfort. It tells of thy mercy and grace to a guilty world. Thou didst give thy Son Jesus Christ to save his people from their sins: to reveal unto us all thy love: to proclaim to us thy grace, and restore in us the righteousness we have lost. Graciously give us the assurance of our acceptance in him. If any of us are unconverted, do Thou convert them. By the attraction of thy love, draw us all near to thyself: subduing our rebellious wills, melting the hard heart to a true repentance, and quickening within it the faith which looks unto Jesus, and in him finds joy and peace.

And, O Lord Jesus, deliver us from the power of sin. Take away all that opposes Thee and hinders the full accomplishment of thy purposes of mercy towards us. Let the thought of thy love stir up in us a jealous watchfulness against the unholy thoughts and tempers that mar thy work in our hearts and lives. Lord, we desire to be like Thee; to have the mind that was in Thee; to be walking in thy footsteps; and to have the constant sense of thy love.

O God our Father, take us and all that are dear to us into thy care and keeping. Spread around us during the night the shield of thy protecting power. Give us all sweet and refreshing sleep, and turn away evil from our dwelling.

Carry the Gospel to those who know it not, or, knowing it, have turned away from its heavenly message. Go forth, O God, in the power of thy truth, and gather into the fold the estranged and the wandering. Thy kingdom come: thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Lord God, hear us in these our prayers and thanksgivings, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.