NINTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

OUR heavenly Father, we approach thy mercy-seat in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We acknowledge with grateful hearts thy manifold mercies, and desire to celebrate thy praise. We bless Thee for our continued existence, for the bounties of thy daily providence, for thy great forbearance and long-suffering towards us, and for all the benefits bestowed upon us. We acknowledge Thee as the Father of lights, and the source of every good and perfect gift, whose goodness fills the earth, and whose tender mercies are over all thy works. We more especially bless Thee for thy great and infinite mercy, in sending thine only-begotten Son to be the one sacrifice for sin, and we adore Thee that by his gracious mediation we can come near to Thee, and be sure that Thou wilt accept us.

We adore and magnify thy name that Thou hast given unto us the Holy Spirit, to be our Guide and Sanctifier, and to assist us with his gracious aid in all our exercises of praise and prayer. Grant unto us now such a sense of our dependence and helplessness, that we may draw near unto Thee with reverence, humility, and fear. May we not lean to our own understanding, or trust in any righteousness or merit of our own, but confess our sins and negligences before Thee, and obtain forgiveness through the righteousness and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant unto us such a knowledge of thy character that we may love Thee supremely, and such an assurance of thy favour, that we may rejoice continually in thy name.

Deliver us, O Lord, from all sinful anxiety about the things of this life. Deliver us from all covetousness and earthly-mindedness. Amidst the troubles and sorrows of this life, may it be our blessedness, as thy redeemed people, to rejoice in the hope of possessing the kingdom of eternal glory.

The lives which thou dost so mercifully preserve and bountifully sustain may we dedicate afresh to Thee as our most reasonable service; and may our whole body, soul, and spirit be sanctified by thy Holy Spirit, and washed in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Preserve us, O Lord, from peril during the night; and if it please Thee, grant unto us refreshing sleep and a quiet spirit, that so we may be better prepared for doing or suffering thy holy will.

We pray for all our kindred, and for the prosperity of thy kingdom; for the welfare of our nation, and the diffusion of thy Gospel to all the nations of the earth. Hear us, O Lord, in thy dwelling-place, and when Thou hearest forgive, and accept us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.