NINETEENTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

O THOU in whom we live, and move, and have our being, we bless Thee for having brought us, in thy providence, to the morning of another day of rest. We magnify Thee, our God and Father, for having raised from the dead thy Son Jesus, and exalted Him to thine own right hand; and for the everlasting rest which, through his atoning sacrifice, we trust to spend with Thee in heaven. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

We come, under the shelter of his great name, seeking as a family thy blessing upon the means of grace to-day. Without Thee, we know they will be empty and barren. Oh, fill them with the power of thy Spirit! May we each have intercourse with Thee, the Father; manifest Thyself to us in the public worship of the sanctuary, and in our retirement at home; may the youngest of us find a way to Thee. And to this end teach us how to approach Thee through thy Son, the Mediator between God and man. May we see in Him the Way, the Truth, and the Life. O Saviour! thou who art evermore the same, guide our uncertain steps into the holy place. Show us the Father by revealing Thyself; and learning of Thee, may we find rest unto our souls. If any of our hearts are troubled and distracted with the cares and sorrows of life, speak to us words of peace and consolation; point us to the place prepared in thy Father’s house for those that love Thee; remind us of thine own coming to receive us. Say to us, “Be not afraid; only believe.” So in our own experience to-day may thy promise of sympathy be realised, and the Father be glorified in the Son!

We especially ask thy presence with us, O God, in the public worship in which we are about to engage. May we meet our fellow-worshippers in the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. Grant that our praise and prayer may be the utterance of unfeigned wants; may we mingle faith with the reading of thy Word, and may our souls be prepared to receive thy Gospel gladly and thankfully. Be in all the congregations of thy saints; make the place of thy feet to be glorious. Clothe thy ministers with salvation, and let thy people shout aloud for joy; and may many lost sinners be brought this day out of darkness into thy marvellous light, and from the power of Satan into the kingdom of thy dear Son.

Accept our hearty thanksgiving for all the mercies of the night, and the health and comfort of the morning. May we love the place of thy worship, and delight to run in the way of thy commandments. We ask it for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.