NINETEENTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

GOD of our fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bend thine ear to our morning prayer. Thou that sittest between the cherubim, shine forth. In the name of Jesus we would now enter within the vail, rejoicing to think that thy grace shines upon us from our Lord, the true mercy-seat. Give us faith to see the blood sprinkled upon that mercy-seat, and so to come boldly to the throne of grace. Lord Jesus, be thou our High Priest at God’s right hand; bear our names upon thy breast-plate before Him, and grave them on the palms of thy pierced hands. And do Thou, blessed Comforter, teach us to pray.

We feel it to be a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy holy name, O Most High. For making us so fearfully and wonderfully, with hands to work, and minds to think, and hearts to love, great Creator, we thank Thee. For opening thy hand, and satisfying the desire of every living thing, and for giving us day by day our daily bread, great Preserver, we thank Thee. For the light of the Gospel, for the gift of thy Son, for the grace of thy Spirit, Father of mercies, we thank Thee.

We praise Thee, O precious Redeemer, that when Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb; and that when Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

We praise Thee, Spirit of the living God, for striving with our hearts; for translating those of us who believe out of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; for bearing with all our waywardness and with all our wickedness, and for still continuing to bring to our remembrance the words and works of our Saviour.

And now, holy Father, take us under thy care for the day. Let not the work of the world hinder us from working out our salvation with fear and trembling, but keep us always mindful that one thing is needful. If troubles and perplexities should come, help us to cast all our care upon Thee, and in our hours of pleasure be Thou our chief joy.

Temptations are very near, but do Thou, the good Shepherd, make us thy sheep, and keep and defend us from all the power of the enemy.

Grant that very often, in the midst of business or of pleasure, our hearts may ascend in prayer to Thee, though it be but for a moment;

“And help us this and every day
To live more nearly as we pray.”

We ask it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.