FOURTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

GRACIOUS Lord God, as Thou didst appear unto thy servant Abraham of old, so appear unto us this morning. Be in our midst as we humbly kneel at thy mercy-seat. May we feel that Thou art present. Banish from our minds all that may distract or disturb them. Let our thoughts be fixed upon Thee; and thus, through thy Holy Spirit, may we offer unto Thee an undivided sacrifice of heart and soul.

We thank Thee, gracious Lord, for all the mercies of the past night. Whilst we have slumbered, Thou hast been wakeful and watchful: whilst we have been lying in helpless sleep, exposed to many dangers, thine eye has never closed.

We desire to give our first thoughts to Thee. We desire that the thanksgiving of love should first arise to Thee. We desire to begin the day with God. Before going into the world, before entering upon our several duties, before mixing with those around, we would, as one united family, bow the knee, and come into thy presence.

We know, O Lord, that we cannot keep in our Christian course this day without Thee. We know that temptations cannot be resisted, that difficulties cannot be overcome without thy help. We shall want wisdom to guide us, and strength to aid us; and to whom, O Lord, can we go but unto Thee?

We come asking humbly but earnestly for these mercies. We may be much tried this day, we may be much tempted, we may have to face many and great dangers; we know not what may happen: but we know that if Thou art with us, on our right hand and on our left, we are safe. Be with us, O Lord God, and grant that we may realise thy presence.

And should we be tempted to doubt because of any seeming difficulty, may we remember that nothing is too hard for Thee; that though some things are impossible with men, all things are possible with Thee. May we call to mind thy wonders of old. Thou didst work for thy people great deliverances. May we feel that it will be the same in thy dealings with us. May we cling with unwavering belief to thy power, and to the covenant of thy love with all thy children.

We pray for the forgiveness of our sins. We pray for our besetting sins to be rooted out. We pray to become holy.

We pray also for all estates of men in their several vocations and ministry. We pray for thy Church, that it may be kept in the right way. We pray for the coming of Christ in power and great glory. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Hear us and answer us, O God, for the sake of our only Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.