SEVENTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Evening

O GOD, by thy goodness and mercy we are brought to the close of another day; and ere we separate for the night, we would review the day as in thy presence. First of all we would glorify thy holy name for thy forbearance, grace, and love, whereby we have been spared, preserved, and all our wants supplied through the day. Alas, in contrast with thy goodness, we are reminded of our own several sins, negligences, and ignorances, that by thought, word, and deed, we have committed against thy Divine Majesty. O heavenly Father, in many things we offend Thee; and shouldest Thou be extreme to mark what is done amiss, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. O God, we bless Thee for the gift of thy dear Son, in whom there is redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of all sin. O holy and gracious Spirit, do Thou take of the things of Jesus, and show them to our souls. Give us grace to forsake our sins as well as to confess them, and to mourn over them with that godly sorrow that worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of Grant that each of us may commune with our own hearts upon our beds this night, and be still, realising thy presence, offering the sacrifice of righteousness, and putting our trust in Thee.

O heavenly Father, Thou knowest the individual trials and temptations, the besetting sins, the infirmities and weaknesses, of each of us. Let mercy forgive us all that is past, and let grace be near to help us in every hour of coming need. O God, we come boldly to ask it, because our great and merciful High Priest Jesus, thy dear Son, ever liveth to make intercession for us.

O God, Thou wouldest not have us ignorant of the devices of the great enemy of our souls. We would watch and pray that we fall not into his snares. From the crafts and assaults of the devil, good Lord, deliver us. When the enemy cometh in as a flood, O Spirit of the Lord, lift Thou up a standard against him.

To thy fatherly goodness we commend ourselves now. Do Thou watch over us for good, that we may lay us down in peace and sleep; and if it be thy will, may we rise refreshed and strengthened for the duties of the coming day. The same merciful and protecting care we ask for all who are dear to us, near and far off.

Oh, give us thy peace all the days of our life, so that, when we have finished our course, we may lay us down in peace at last, and awake to be with Christ in the day of his coming and his glory. We ask all in the name of the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, to whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be glory everlasting. Amen.