FOURTEENTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Evening

MOST merciful God, we bless Thee that though utterly unworthy to approach Thee, we have boldness to come through Jesus Christ. We behold Him as our great High Priest within the veil, ever living to make intercession for us. We stand now before his cross, and from thence lift up our eyes to his throne. May our consciences be sprinkled afresh with atoning blood, that the sins of this day may be all forgiven, and we may lie down at peace with God. We give Thee thanks on behalf of those members of this family who have believed in Jesus. Help us to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. We would not be among those who draw back unto perdition, but of those who believe to the salvation of their souls. We lament before Thee that though we bear the name of Christ, we have so little of his image. We have followed Him, but, alas! at how great a distance! Blessed Jesus, wert Thou to regulate the bestowment of thy favour by our desert, long ere this we had been left to ourselves. We thank Thee for thy forbearance towards us. Make it a powerful motive to bring us nearer to Thyself. Our faith is weak: do Thou strengthen it. Our hope is dim: do Thou brighten it. Our love is cold: do Thou kindle it into a flame. Our souls cleave to the dust: quicken Thou us according to thy Word. Henceforth may we follow Thee fully, and may every closing day find us nearer to Thee, and fitter for the rest that remaineth for thy people.

Holy Spirit, sanctify to us all the events of this day. May afflictions wean us from the world. May disappointments loosen our affections from the things that are seen, and transfer them to the things that are eternal. Whatever prosperity Thou art pleased to send, may it not lift us up, but supply fresh materials for songs of praise. We beseech Thee to sanctify to us the reading of the Scriptures; may we ever find something precious therein which shall be as manna to our hungry souls. Help us to know our Lord’s will, and to do it, or to bear it. Help us to study the life of Jesus, and in all things to walk in his footsteps, that at last we may be like Him, and see Him as He is.

We now commend ourselves to thy fatherly care. Suffer no enemy to molest our property, no disease to attack our persons, and permit not death to invade our home; but with sleep unbroken, and strength renewed, may we awake in the morning to serve our God. May we lie down as calmly to die as we lie down this night to sleep; so that falling asleep in Jesus, we may be satisfied with his likeness when we awake. We ask all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.