SEVENTEENTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Evening

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, thy property is ever to have mercy; we come to Thee, at the close of another week, humbly seeking that mercy. We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have wandered from Thee each in his own way. Our sins of thought, word, and deed, are more than we can number. If Thou wert to enter into judgment with us, we could only be condemned in thy sight.

But, O God, we thank Thee that Thou hast mercy upon penitent sinners. Thou dost not desire our destruction, but our salvation. Thou art well pleased when sinners seek thy forgiving love. O God, this is not the manner of men. Although sinners like ourselves, they would look down upon us if they knew concerning us all that Thou knowest. Satan, too, tries to alarm us. But thy Word bids us lift up our hearts, and tells us that there is joy in heaven when sinners repent.

O God, grant unto us all real repentance. Make us truly contrite on account of sin, and deliver us from the paths of the destroyer. Let it be known in heaven, and felt in our hearts, that though we were lost, we have been found; and that though we were far off, we have been made nigh. But, alas, we are so prone to wander, that we shall go further and further from Thee unless we are kept in the keeping of thy grace. Keep us by thy mighty power, O blessed Jesus, and bring us safely to thy heavenly kingdom.

We humbly beseech Thee also to carry on the work of sanctification in our souls. Thine image, O God, has been marred and defaced by sin. Our affections have been misplaced, our understandings have been misdirected. Grant unto us thy Holy Spirit more and more. Change us into the image of Christ from glory to glory. Bless all the means of grace to the furtherance of thy work in us, and especially the ordinances of thy house on the approaching Sabbath. Let thy ministering servants be fed in their own souls, that they may be able to feed thy people. Help them to break the bread of life, and grant unto us all a portion at their hands.

We would lie down this night under thy protection, humbly beseeching Thee to cast all our sins into the depths of the sea; and if it be thy will, may we rise in the morning refreshed and strengthened to enjoy a sweet foretaste of the eternal Sabbath which remaineth for the people of God.

Bless all for whom we are bound to pray, and grant that they with us and we with them may finally be made partakers of thy glory.

Receive these our petitions, gracious God and Father, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.