SECOND WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

O HEAVENLY Father, who hast in thy gracious providence kept us in safety through the watches of the night, accept our sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving.

We pray, Holy Father, that thy protecting goodness may be around us this day. Be with us in whatever we may think or do. Wherever we go, do Thou go; wherever we abide, do Thou abide. Ever be with us, to guide, to help, and to bless us. And may we remember that this is thy day, and keep it holy unto Thee. Banish all worldly cares, all wandering thoughts. Fix our hearts upon things above. And when we go up to thy house of prayer, may we worship Thee in spirit and in truth.

Bless, O Heavenly Father, especially thy minister whom thou hast set over us. Grant that the influences of the Holy Spirit may be abundantly poured out upon him this day! May he hold up the Cross in all simplicity, plainness, and affection. May thy Word fall as into good ground, and bring forth fruit—some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred-fold.

Lord Jesus, be in the midst of all assemblies of thy people to-day. Let thy Word have free course and be glorified. May sinners be saved; the unconverted changed; the dead in trespasses and sins quickened; the sleeper aroused; the mourning penitents comforted; the broken in heart healed; the waverers decided; the backsliders humbled; and the righteous built up in their most holy faith. Bless the Word of thy grace to them all.

And bless, O Lord, all near and dear to us. Bless our parents, friends, and relatives. Bless the poor, the destitute, the dying, the outcast, the afflicted, and him that hath no helper.

And now, O Lord God, we again ask for ourselves. May we love one another as thou hast given us commandment. Help us to bear with each other’s failings or infirmities. Increase in us a spirit of kindness, so that we may love in deed as in word. May we ever feel for those who possess not the many mercies of our own lot. If our brother hath need, may we never shut up the bowels of compassion from him. O Lord, thy Son did die for us guilty sinners: may we ever be ready to deny ourselves for the sake of those in necessity around us. Fill our souls with love, both to Thee and to our fellow-creatures. Subdue in us all hatred, all ill-will; root out of our hearts all bitterness. Enable us to be kind one to another, to be forgiving if we have any cause of offence, and ever to remember Him who graciously forgave us.

These, and all other mercies, we ask, Holy Father, in the name and through the mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.