SECOND WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Morning

ETERNAL God, our gracious Father and ever-living Friend, grant that the words of our lips and the meditation of our hearts may now be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer.

We want, O Lord, a deeper conviction of our sinfulness and danger through sin. Teach us how hateful sin is in the light of thy countenance. Impress on our hearts the testimony Thou hast given against it in the destruction of the old world. By thy Holy Spirit reveal to us the disease of our hearts, and make us sensible of our helplessness to save ourselves. O God the Holy Ghost, purge our darkened sight, that we may see Divine things plainly, and discern especially the excellence and glory of thy dear Son, our only ark of safety and deliverance when the tempest of thy wrath bursts on the world. Bestow a stronger faith, that we may grasp more firmly the exceeding great and precious promises of thy Word. We pray for a brighter hope, that we may bear about with us the earnest and pledge of the heavenly inheritance. We desire a warmer love, that our hearts may glow with grateful affection, and constrain us in all things cheerfully to do thy will. Oh, for that joy and peace in believing which are the privilege of thy saints! Oh, for that experience of the Divine life which will testify that we have indeed taken refuge in Christ, and found deliverance from condemnation and death through his precious blood-shedding. Lord, these are all thy gifts—bestow them on us, we pray Thee, and by thy Spirit work them within us. Wisdom and strength are thine, O Lord: withhold them not. Clothe us with the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness, and mould us into his image and likeness. By thy grace bring every thought and disposition into subjection at thy footstool, that thy will may be our will, and thy Word in all things our law. Above all things, preserve us, O God, from unbelief of thy coming judgments, and suffer us not to walk in the old way which wicked men have trodden. Oh, that none of us may turn aside from the open door of mercy, and perish eternally in the day of thy wrath!

We acknowledge with heartfelt praise the mercies of the night now past. Evermore make us mindful of thy goodness. Go with us now to the varied duties of the day: leave us not to ourselves or to the devices of our great enemy. Preserve us and all whom we love in the midst of surrounding evil and the temptations of besetting sins. Be this our desire: so to let our light shine before men that they, seeing our good works, may glorify Thee, our God and Father in heaven. Lord, hear us and mightily help us, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.