SEVENTEENTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY God, heaven is thy throne, and the earth is thy footstool. All things above and below are the creatures of thy hand, and thy kingdom ruleth over all. Thou killest and makest alive, Thou puttest down and raisest up. Graciously accept our tribute of praise for watchful care and refreshing sleep by night, and for the renewed mercies of the morning. Lord, so work in us to will and do by thy good Spirit that we may cheerfully consecrate the strength which Thou givest us to thy praise.

We earnestly seek thy help and guidance through the day. Feeble and ignorant as we are, leave us not, O God, to ourselves, or to our own understandings. We live in a world of temptation. It meets us in our business and our pleasure; it besets us at home and abroad; and even our lawful calling may become a snare for our souls, and a hindrance to our salvation. Oh suffer us not, we beseech Thee, to be tempted beyond our strength. Give us a spiritual perception, that we may discern at all times the presence of evil, and be on our guard against it. Make a way for our escape in all our difficulties and perplexities. We commit our souls to thy keeping, and in thy faithfulness and love place all our trust. Be with us, O God, in every trial and conflict, and perfect thy strength in our weakness. Suffer us not to be lifted up with spiritual pride and self-confidence, but keep us humble, distrustful of ourselves, and looking only to Thee. We pray that we may never tempt Christ, or grieve thy Spirit by our unbelief and stubbornness of heart. Give us a tender conscience, that will shrink from sin with a holy abhorrence, and make us afraid to do, or say, or think anything which Thou hast forbidden.

Refresh us, O Lord, with the presence of thy indwelling Spirit. As waters flowed for the refreshment of Israel, so let the streams of life and peace which flow from the smitten Jesus comfort and gladden all our hearts. When tempted and tried, may we find courage in the remembrance that no trial befalls us but such as is common to man, and that the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren in the world. Have mercy upon us, O God, and supply all our need: bestow upon us pardon for all sin and strength for all weakness, and let not our feet stumble in thy paths.

Let thy favour rest on all our relatives and friends; succour them in all their necessities, and give them the sweet experience of thy saving grace and love. We commend ourselves and them to thy Divine keeping. Protect, preserve, and bless us; bring us to the close of the day in health and peace, and at last receive us unto Thyself, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.