NINTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Evening

GOD of all mercy and truth; Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being; by whom alone our lives have been sustained and our reason continued, and from whom we receive every good and perfect gift; we meekly beseech Thee for thy Holy Spirit, that at the close of another day we may approach the throne of thy heavenly grace, with lowly, penitent, and believing hearts, and in our evening worship find acceptance with Thee.

We once more draw near to Thee, O Lord our God, to adore thy great and matchless name, to magnify thy abounding mercy, and to acknowledge thy fatherly goodness and love. Through all the days of our lives, in all our wanderings, labours, and troubles, amid dangers both seen and unseen, Thou hast been our Protector, Guardian, and Friend. And as the darkness of another night has gathered around our dwelling, we come to confess before Thee our manifold sins and iniquities, to cast ourselves on thy redeeming love, to implore thy forgiveness, and to supplicate thy saving strength. We humbly beseech Thee, our Father and our God, for the sake of thy dear Son, not to enter into judgment with us because of our transgressions, but in the midst of deserved wrath to remember with undeserved mercy.

Thou didst send thy Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. By thy Holy Spirit Thou hast separated and art now separating a people to Thyself; a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Here Thou art calling the prince, there the peasant; here the child of tender years, there the profligate and profane; here the master, there the servant; for Thou art no respecter of persons. Nor shall thy truth and Spirit cease to work, burning like fire among men, until all thy people are gathered in, and made holy, “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Grant, O God, that in that day we may be found of Christ in peace, and enter into the joy of our Lord.

Lord, hear our prayers, and save us and all dear to us, and number us among thy jewels. Bless, we beseech Thee, all that have rule over us, and give them wisdom and justice; all that preach thy Gospel, and make them wise to win souls. Save thy people, O God, and bless thine inheritance; make haste to help the needy, the afflicted, and the dying; and speedily accomplish the coming of thy kingdom. Beneath the shadow of thy protecting love, holy Father, we desire this night to rest; and when that time comes when we are to awake no more on earth, give us all to live with Thee in heaven, for Christ’s sake; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be everlasting praise. Amen.