SEVENTEENTH WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

O THOU ever-living God, who hast in all ages been the delight and the desire of those who know thy name; we kneel at thy footstool. Blessed be thy holy name for the way of approach to the throne of grace which Thou hast given us in thy dear Son Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for the spirituality, the simplicity, the sacred sweetness of Christian worship. Through the great High Priest of our profession we draw nigh. Unto Thee alone, Thou adorable Jehovah, do we render all our worship, and we hope for acceptance only through the blood of sprinkling. With reverence and with godly fear we would now come near unto Thee. How great is thy goodness, that Thou dost bow to our worship, and accept our feeble praise and imperfect prayer! Speak unto us, O Lord, by thy Word, and grant us wise, believing, and obedient hearts, that we may in all things live as subjects of that kingdom of grace which cannot be moved. We would be constrained by thy love to serve Thee truly; but, if need be, let thy terrors keep our rebellious hearts in awe of Thee.

Thou Father of mercies, who hast preserved us through the past night, we thank Thee for the safety and the sleep we have enjoyed, and we see thy kindness in the food provided for us this day. May every blessing we possess fill us with more love to Thee, and every trial we endure strengthen our trust in Thee. We go forth to the labours of this day depending on thy watchful providence. We desire to set the Lord ever before us; be Thou at our right hand, so that we may not be moved. Preserve us, if it please Thee, from all bodily injury; but, O our God, earnestly we pray Thee to defend and guard us from all sin. Give us grace to discharge all our duties to our fellow-men with integrity, uprightness, and charity. May some around us be made holier and happier by our conduct this day, and especially help us to make known to our fellow sinners the grace and the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Give us courage and wisdom to reprove, and to warn, and to exhort; and may the tenderest love to our neighbour actuate us in all we think, or say, or do.

We pray for all in this house, and entreat Thee that [from the eldest to the youngest] all may be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation. Let thy merciful compassion be displayed to all the afflicted; sanctify bodily pain and worldly trouble, that they may lead men to Thyself. Comfort the aged, protect the young, bless all who are journeying by land or by water, show thy mercy to such as draw nigh unto death. These and all needful blessings, for others or ourselves, we supplicate through Jesus Christ, our adorable Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.