FOURTEENTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O GOD, our heavenly Father, we give Thee thanks for the privilege of drawing near to the throne of grace. During another day Thou hast supplied our need, and caused our comforts to abound. What shall we render unto Thee for all thy mercy and loving-kindness? Every day augments the sum of our obligations to love and serve Thee our God, and we bless Thee that, in infinite wisdom and goodness, Thou hast united our happiness with our duty. Thy ways are ways of pleasantness, and all thy paths are peace. May we love Thee with all our hearts, and daily grow in thy favour and image; and let us always make thy holy will our law, thy Word our guide, thine example our pattern, and thy glory the sole end of our being. How far, O Lord, have we hitherto fallen short of this! What ingratitude and folly, what neglect and waywardness, have marked our conduct. For the sake of thy dear Son, forgive us all iniquities, receive us graciously, and enrich us with all the graces of thy Holy Spirit. Especially, O Lord, reveal thy dear Son to us in all the glory of his Divine power, and in all the riches of his saving grace. May He dwell in our hearts by faith, and cause us to know the peace which springs from reconciliation with Thee, and the forgiveness of sins.

We commend all our loved ones to thy mercy. Make them all partakers of thy salvation; be Thou their portion, and the Guide of their life. We pray Thee also to bless our enemies; change their hearts, and make them thy friends. Remove far away from our own hearts all anger and malice, and help us to live in charity with all men. Remember, in thy compassion, all the sons and daughters of affliction, especially thine own children. Be with them in the furnace; and when Thou hast tried them, may they come forth like gold that is purified. Mercifully spare useful lives; and those who are drawing near the gates of death prepare for the eternal world. Fit us for death and judgment, that when Thou comest we may be ready to obey thy call, and enter into thy joy. Have compassion on all those who obey not thy Gospel and regard not the day of thy visitation. Oh turn Thou their hearts to Thyself, and let not the judgments of Chorazin and Bethsaida fall on them. And now, O Lord, we commit the keeping of both body and soul to thy care during this night. Almighty Keeper of Israel, give to thy beloved sleep, and may we rise in the morning with invigorated strength, to love and serve Thee our God in the duties of another day; and when days and nights with us are no more, may we be found in thy glorious kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.