FOURTEENTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Evening

GREAT and glorious Lord God Almighty, who dwellest in light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, or can see; we come into thy presence in the name of thy well-beloved Son, who is the Mediator between Thyself and us. In no other name can we come, for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved. We adore Thee for Him as thine unspeakable gift, and for all the blessings that are promised and secured to us through his death. Because Thou hast not spared thine own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, Thou wilt with Him also freely give us all things. Grant us to feel our need of Him, and to find in Him all our salvation and all our desire. May we feel more and more our spiritual poverty, and more and more be made rich with his unsearchable riches. And as we thus receive of his fulness, oh, help us continually to show forth his praise. May his name be so dear to us that we shall delight to speak of Him. While our whole temper and conduct bear witness to our union with Him and our love to Him, may we so add to our faith courage that we shall be bold to go without the camp bearing his reproach; not like those who, in the days of his flesh, did not speak openly of Him for fear of the Jews, but rather like those who, making mention of his righteousness, and of his only, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name’s sake.

Accept, O Lord, of the praises we humbly bring to Thee for the mercy of this day. Thou hast given to us our daily bread, and with this all things that pertain to life and godliness. How precious are thy thoughts unto us, O God; how great is the sum of them! If we should count them, they are more in number than the sand. Continue these tokens of thy love, we pray Thee, as thy wisdom may see most fit; and ever enable us to say, “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thou art my portion, O Lord.”

We implore the forgiveness of this day’s offences through the intercession of our great High Priest, and commit the keeping of our souls to Thee for the night, as unto a faithful Creator. Be Thou, O Lord, our hiding place; preserve us from trouble, and compass us about with songs of deliverance. May no evil befal us, nor any plague come nigh our dwelling; but grant us, with the security of thy watchful presence, such a renewal of our strength, both of body and of mind, by the rest of this night, that we may be able to offer Thee on the coming day a more cheerful and acceptable service. We ask every mercy in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.