FOURTEENTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Morning

HEARKEN unto the voice of our cry, our King and our God; for unto Thee will we pray. In the morning will we direct our prayer unto Thee, and will look up.

We thank Thee for the mercies of the past night, for Thou, Lord, only makest us dwell in safety. The day is thine, the night also is thine. Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Many of our fellow-creatures during the night have passed into eternity, but we are alive and remain; and our prayer shall be to the God of our life. The living, the living he shall praise Thee, as we do this day.

Give us this day our daily bread. We desire not to eat the bread of idleness, but would be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May we ever seek an honest livelihood, and do Thou bless the work of our hands. Vouchsafe to keep us this day without sin. May we be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

Bless this household. Let none of us, like Pharaoh, impiously exclaim, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice?” May we exhort one another daily, lest any of us be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Shouldest Thou see fit to afflict us, let us not murmur, but submit to thy will.

Remember, O Lord, any that are suffering persecution for righteousness’ sake. Let them not fear the wrath of any Pharaoh, but hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering. May they choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, having respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Give us grace for the special duties and trials of this day, and enable us to resist all temptations. May we live to thy praise, and walk worthy of our Christian vocation. May we be kind to all about us, and bear meekly with each other’s infirmities, forgiving one another, as we trust God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us. Let thine eye and thy hand be upon us all for good, and prosper us in all our plans and undertakings which are according to thy will.

Give wisdom to all our rulers. Preserve them from the fear of man, and enable them to act in all things as in thy sight, remembering the account they must one day give. Graciously pour out the Holy Spirit on thy Church, and daily increase the number of thy believing people.

Forgive, O Lord, all the imperfections of our supplications. Hear us for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.