NINETEENTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O LORD God Almighty, Thou seest the hearts of the children of men, and of them that profess to pray unto Thee. We all now kneel before Thee, and in the eye of man there is no separation between us; but Thou discernest between the prayer of the proud and the sighing of a broken and contrite heart.

Lord, we are not worthy so much as to lift up our eyes unto Thee. Oh, convince us of our guilt! Take away our ignorance and self-esteem, and destroy all our false comforts. Give us godly sorrow for sin, and that with an aching heart we may pray as the publican prayed—“God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Be merciful, O our God, and let thine anger cease from us. Be not displeased at us for ever. We have sinned against Thee this day, as in the days that went before it. Not only are our actions polluted by sin, but we ourselves are sinners. Our nature is unclean, and, like a corrupt tree, bringeth forth evil fruit. For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past. We are miserable sinners; our hearts are evil; and if we have not fallen into the grossest wickedness, it is not of ourselves, but because thy goodness has restrained us. Nay, Thou knowest, O Lord, that thy loving mercies to us have been so great, and our privileges so many, that we may call ourselves the chief of sinners, for sin in us is exceedingly sinful.

Yet our trust is in thine abundant mercy, through Jesus Christ the righteous, who poured out his soul unto death for us, and bore the sins of many. Lord Jesus, bid us come to Thee. Do Thou wash us in thy most precious blood, that our sins may be mentioned against us no more. If the unjust judge listened to the widow’s cry, O Thou, most faithful, most kind Father, hearken to our prayer, and grant us thy pardon this night. Without it we cannot rest. O Lord, deny us not the blessings we seek.

Protect us, gracious Father, during the hours of sleep: and if it please Thee to prolong our lives another day, renew our strength to serve Thee. Prepare us for the summons to quit these mortal scenes. In the dark moments of death be Thou our light; and in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver us.

We beseech Thee with thy favour to behold our Queen and our country. Bless our neighbours as ourselves; and let our relatives and acquaintances find grace in thy sight. Have mercy upon this evil world. Come quickly, O Thou Son of Man! Put an end to sin and misery; and to Thyself, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all glory, now and evermore. Amen.