SEVENTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

HEAVENLY Father, for thy dear Son’s sake, accept this our family tribute of prayer and praise. Thou art gracious and longsuffering, bearing patiently with our infirmities; even when we have sinned against thee, Thou art willing to receive us, if we come to Thee in godly sorrow, trusting not to our own righteousness, but to the atoning sacrifice of thy dear Son. Thou art the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. All thy dealings with us are in tenderness and compassion. If Thou chastenest us for our disobedience, and by sharp trial makest our sin to find us out, it is that Thou mayest bring us back to thyself, as Thou didst Jacob thy servant, and give us peace and the assurance of thy blessing. Even when brought low by the conviction of our misdoings, Thou art near, to teach us that the gates of mercy are not closed, and that though we have dishonoured Thee by our sinful thoughts, and sinful words, and sinful acts, the way is yet open by which our supplications may ascend to Thee, and thy blessings come down upon us.

We praise Thee, O God, for the mercies of the night, and that Thou hast raised us in safety this morning. We desire to show our thankfulness by a heartier and more constant obedience to thy will. Give us, we entreat Thee, such a view of thy love to us, as shown in all our mercies, spiritual and temporal, as may constrain us to live, not for ourselves, but for Thee. In thy goodness and love be not far from us, but watch over us through all this day. Preserve us amid its dangers. Great is our need, but great also is thy sufficiency. Even our lawful calling may be a snare unto us, much more the temptations of the great enemy, and the secret promptings of our own evil hearts. O God, unable to keep ourselves, prone as we are to fall, we implore thy help and protection. In thy keeping we shall be safe: in thy strength we shall be strong. Kindle in our hearts such a zeal for godliness and truth, that we may abhor all that is fraudulent and deceitful, and set our faces like a flint against all solicitations to evil, come whence they may. And grant, O Lord, that ours may be a life much cheered by communion with Thee. We never can be where Thou canst not see us, or where Thou art not near us. May we more and more cherish the assurance of thy love, and, in the trustfulness of an undoubting faith, cast all our care upon Thee.

Hear us, merciful Father, in all we ask. Keep from harm this day all whom we love, and bless them with thy love. Lead them to the feet of Jesus who know Him not. Succour the tempted and tried. Lord, help and save, according to thy mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.