SECOND WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

O THOU holy Lord God, humble our minds, we beseech Thee, under a just apprehension of thy glorious majesty and of thy coming judgments. Suffer us neither to be unmindful how in ancient time Thou broughtest swift destruction upon an ungodly world, nor that Thou art reserving the world which now is for the judgment of the last day. We adore thy great goodness in giving us those forewarnings of its approach which we have now read in the words of our blessed Saviour. Oh, help us to be watchful; and since we know not when the time shall be, enable us to live as faithful servants, who wait for their Master’s coming.

But who may abide the day of thy coming, and who shall stand when Thou appearest? O Lord God, we humble ourselves before Thee as we remember our manifold sins. We have lived too much in the indulgence of our carnal affections; we have found our pleasure too much in the gratification of our senses; too eagerly have we pursued the world. Oh, let thy Holy Spirit withdraw our hearts from all that would still more debase and pollute our nature, and direct them into the love of God and the patient waiting for Jesus Christ.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, the forgiveness of all our sins, which we thus humbly confess before Thee. O Lamb of God, hast not Thou borne our sins in thine own body on the tree? We plead thy sufferings and atoning death. Our sole trust is in thy precious blood and righteousness. Grant that being now justified by faith, we may spend the rest of our life in loving obedience to thy holy will.

Accept, we beseech Thee, heavenly Father, our thanksgiving for all thy lovingkindness towards us. Thine eye hath watched over us through the darkness of the night, and thy hand hath raised us up to meet the new duties of another day. Strengthen us for all the requirements of active life, or for the patient endurance of thy holy will. Bestow upon us, in thy fatherly bounty, the gifts of thy providence, and fill our hearts with compassion for the destitute. We commend one another to thy protection and love, and to Thee we also commend all who are dear to us. Do thou, O God, remember them for good. Be gracious to all who especially need thy help. Sanctify all tribulations and sorrows; succour the distressed; comfort the broken-hearted; preserve the young from the follies and dangers of youth, and sustain the aged and dying with the blessed hope of eternal life. All these gifts we humbly ask in the ever adorable name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory everlasting. Amen.