SECOND WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Evening

LORD Jesus, we bend with adoring hearts before the mystery of thy incarnation. Thou, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, didst lay aside the robes of thy Eternal Majesty, and humble thyself to our nature, sharing our weakness, and bearing our sins. Oh, enlarge our hearts with a knowledge of thy self-sacrificing love, and enable us to realise to ourselves thy grace and all-sufficiency. Thou art wonderful in thy being: one with us, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, and yet God over all, blessed for ever! Wonderful art Thou in thy cross and passion, in thy death and resurrection, and in the overflowing compassion which moved Thee to live, and suffer, and die for us men and our salvation. Lord, when we think of all Thou hast done for us this and every day, and all that Thou art doing, and all Thou hast promised to do, we feel that thy love passeth knowledge. We can but wonder and adore. Oh, reveal to us more and more of thyself, that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Thee, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thou art able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by Thee. Lord Jesus, save us. Save us from the condemnation which our sins deserve. Cleanse us from the guilt of all sins which Thou hast seen in us during the day now past—sins of ingratitude and coldness of heart towards thyself—sins of the heart, sins of the lips, sins of the life. O Lord, they are all known to Thee. Blot them from thy remembrance, and let them be seen no more.

In Thee, O Saviour, are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Thou art the Counsellor. None teacheth like Thee. Oh, leave us not in ignorance of all we should know, and all we should do. Let us hear thy voice in the Holy Book, and in the daily dealings of thy providence. Teach us by thy Spirit, and impress deeply thy divine lessons on our hearts. Keep us in safety amid the dangers of daily life. Call us back when we wander. Uphold us when we slip. Restore us when we fall. Guide us, Lord, by thy counsel here, train and teach us in thy way, and afterwards, in thine own good time, take us to glory.

We ask, O Lord, the same blessings for others. Bestow them on all who are dear to us, and especially on all among us and around us who are yet in the darkness of spiritual death. Shed the bright beams of thy grace and glory in their hearts. Extend thy sway through all the earth. Hasten the day when Jew and Gentile shall bow the knee at thy footstool. Keep us safely this night, and if it please Thee, raise us again, refreshed and strengthened, for the duties of another day. Grant it, O Lord, for thy great name’s sake. Amen.