NINTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

O MOST merciful and gracious God! morning and evening will we praise Thee for thy great goodness. May thy Holy Spirit teach us to pray aright, that we may ask of Thee those blessings which are best adapted to our spiritual and eternal welfare. We thank Thee for the promises which Thou hast given us that whatsoever we ask in faith, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator, we shall receive. Lord, increase our faith, that we may rest with stronger confidence upon thy Word, knowing that He who spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, will also with Him freely give us all things.

May we be deeply impressed at this time with the thought that Thou God seest us. Wherever we are, and in whatever we are engaged, we can never elude the observation of thine eye. The darkness hideth not from Thee, but the night shineth as the day. Thou compassest our path, and art acquainted with all our acts, purposes, desires, and thoughts. Whenever, therefore, we are tempted to do evil, may we shrink from its commission, because the eye of a just, holy, and loving God is upon us. And may we be kept from evil, not merely by the dread of Divine detection, but because our souls loathe it as an injury to ourselves and a dishonour to Thee. For all past sin we desire heartily and humbly to repent. Whether sin has been open or secret, more immediately against God or our fellow-creatures, whether in thought, word, or deed, we bring it in sincere confession, O Lord, to Thee, and beseech Thee to take away the awful burden from our souls, through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ; and may thy Spirit enable us to prove our repentance and faith, by denying ungodliness and worldly lust, and walking diligently in the path of thy commandments.

Sanctify to our minds the solemn and instructive lessons suggested by that portion of sacred history just read. May we see the wickedness of envying others upon whom thy providence seems to smile more than upon ourselves. May we be very grateful for what we possess, and feel that we are not worthy of the least of thy mercies. May we shut out of our hearts every unkind and cruel purpose or thought. Preserve us from deceit and falsehood. Hide from us lying lips, and let integrity and uprightness ever preserve us. Grant us simple and childlike trust in thy providence, so that when events appear adverse, we may hope for an issue which shall make us wiser, holier, and happier for the discipline through which we have passed. Be Thou our guide through life, and at length bring us all to thy kingdom in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.