FOURTEENTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Evening

O GOD, the Creator and Governor of all things, again we bow before thy sacred Majesty. Though Thou art high, Thou hast respect unto the lowly. We approach Thee through the one Mediator, Christ Jesus: for his sake lift upon us the light of thy countenance, and give us peace.

We thank Thee for the manifold mercies which we have received from thy bountiful hand during the past week. Thou hast blessed our going out and our coming in; our lives have been precious in thy sight. Thou hast given us day by day our daily bread. Thou hast clothed us, and provided us with a comfortable habitation. Notwithstanding our forgetfulness of Thee, Thou hast mercifully remembered us. The consolations of thy Spirit have not been withdrawn from us; the adversary of our souls has not been permitted to devour us; and the trials by which we have been overtaken have been designed for our spiritual and eternal welfare. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards us? May we take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Fill our hearts with gratitude, and let all our powers be consecrated to thy service. We have not hitherto rendered unto Thee according to the benefits which Thou hast conferred. Oh, sprinkle our consciences with the blood of atonement, and enable us in the future to glorify Thee with our bodies and our spirits, which are thine.

We bless Thee for the appointment of the Sabbath-day. Prepare us for its holy exercises; and if we are permitted to enter upon them, may they be to us sources of spiritual comfort and edification. Let the Sabbath be to us not only a day of rest, but also a joy and a delight: and, like our Lord and Master, may we employ a portion of its sacred hours in works of love and mercy.

Graciously prepare thy servants who may be called to labour for Thee, for their respective duties, and make them instrumental in leading multitudes to Jesus. May many souls be quickened from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness. Let all the ends of the earth acknowledge Him to be the very Christ, and receive Him as their Saviour.

We now commend ourselves and all who are dear to us into thine hand. Preserve us during the night season, and may we rise in the morning with renewed strength and grateful hearts. Grant these our petitions for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all praise, and glory, and honour for ever. Amen.