FOURTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Evening

GRANT us, O Lord God, thy promised Spirit, that we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Help us to think of Thee as the fountain of all life, of all goodness, and of all joy. Grant unto us more deeply to feel what we owe to Thee for loading us with benefits, unworthy as we are.

We pray for grace, that our face may be more stedfastly set towards the Jerusalem above, while on our pilgrimage through this world. Make us willing to be strangers upon the earth. May we not feel at home here, knowing that Christ has prepared a place for his disciples in his Father’s house. Yet help us, O Lord, to praise Thee, as we would now do, for all our home comforts here below. May we all learn of Jesus, not to mar, but always tenderly to promote the peace and well-being of all with whom we dwell, and to show piety at home. Make us deeply sensible of our many faults, in thought, and word, and act. We would make Christ’s word a light and a lamp to our feet; and we pray that we may look at his pure and holy life while we listen to his voice. May we learn what He means by bidding us to follow Him; and oh forgive all the insincerity and the frailty of our sinful and infirm hearts. We need the cleansing of Christ’s atoning blood, alike for our very professions and performances. O Lord, pardon us wherein we have lacked the spirit of meekness and goodness, or been unconcerned for thy glory.

We seek the renewal of peace, and hope, and joy, at his cross who there made atonement for our sins. Help us to put our trust beneath the shadow of thy wings, that we may rest securely, and sleep in peace. Whatever have been the events and circumstances of this day, we desire to acknowledge thy hand in all things, and pray that Thou wouldst make them, in thy wisdom and love, work together for good. Whatever anxieties arise, may we have faith to cast our cares upon Thee. Graciously take us under thy protection this night. Give us refreshing rest, and grant that when we awake we may feel that we are still with Thee.

Remember, O God, for good all whom we love. Enrich them, according to thy mercy, with the bounties of thy providence; but, above all, bestow upon them the riches of thy grace. If they are in sorrow, comfort them; if they are in perplexity, guide them; if weak, strengthen them. [May thy special favour rest on the young of our household. Draw their hearts to Thyself in the days of their youth, and teach them to remember Thee.] Pity the unconverted around us, and pour on their darkened souls the light of thy truth. We ask these and all other mercies in the name of Jesus Christ, thy dear Son, our Saviour. Amen.