FOURTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O LORD God Almighty, we this evening bow ourselves before thy footstool, in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Mediator. We are unworthy to come into thy presence, by reason of our heinous sins; but Thou encouragest lost sinners to seek mercy and salvation, and willest not that we should perish. Grant us, O Lord, the true baptism: the baptism of thy Holy Spirit. Send into our hearts the Holy Ghost, to convince us more and more of our deep sinfulness, and to reveal to our souls the exceeding preciousness of Christ. May the same Holy Spirit conform us to the Saviour’s likeness, making us willing to humble ourselves, that he may be exalted. Clothe our souls with true humility, and grant that we may exhibit in our conduct the meekness and gentleness of Him who said, “Take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”

Grant, also, we beseech Thee, that we, like thy servant John the Baptist, may serve Thee with all our hearts, and be ready, through evil report and good report, to bear testimony to thy love to us in Christ Jesus. Teach us to rejoice greatly in the advance of the Redeemer’s kingdom, and in the salvation of souls. Incline us willingly and thankfully to receive the revelation which Thou hast made to mankind by thy dear Son, and to know that “thy Word is truth.” O Father, Thou lovest thy Son; and Thou hast given all things into his hand. Out of the fulness of grace that is treasured up for us in Christ, bestow upon us, we pray Thee, all that Thou seest to be needful for us. Above all, give us a saving faith. Grant that we may so believe in the death and merits of Christ, that we may become inheritors of everlasting life. Oh, grant that no one of us, now kneeling before thy face, may reject our only hope of salvation, by neglecting Christ. Take out from every one of us the evil heart of unbelief, for Thou hast solemnly warned us that “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” We deserve thy wrath; but, O Lord, enable us to believe that the Lord Jesus endured thy wrath on our behalf, and to rejoice that he was wounded for our transgressions, and that with his stripes we are healed.

Graciously look upon the children of this family. Oh, that they may be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from their earliest years, and ever serve Thee in faithfulness and love. Preserve and keep us through the night, and if it be thy will renew to us morning mercies, for the sake of Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, to whom, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, we would ascribe all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.