SEVENTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

ALMIGHTY God, glorious in thy holiness, rich in thy mercies towards us in Christ Jesus, look down upon us, as once more we are gathered together at thy footstool. Pardon, oh! pardon, for Jesus’ sake, the sins and follies of this day. We are too ready to lay up treasure upon earth. We shrink from the daily cross. We are apt to call the rich and great happy. We covet that which Thou hast in mercy kept back from us. We are quick to resent evil, and slow to forgive others. Oh, send the Spirit of thy Son into our hearts, that we may become like him. Give us of the true riches. Make us willing to suffer with Jesus, that we may hereafter reign with him. Grant us a large, a liberal, and a loving heart. Teach us to love our enemies. Supply all our need, according to thy most gracious promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Watch over us this night, and refresh us for the duty and service of the morrow.

Bless, O Lord, each one of us with the grace we need at this time. Lead us to the fulness of grace which is treasured up in Christ Jesus. Bless also our dear relations and friends with all real good. Seal the younger ones among us with the seal of thy covenant love. Gather into thy fold those who are still wandering from Thee. Strengthen the weak and timid. Keep thine own people very near to Thee, abiding in Jesus. Bless also our sovereign the Queen, and all the royal family, and make us as a nation to fear Thee and work righteousness.

O Thou great Head of the Church, who in the days of thy flesh didst send forth thine apostles to prepare thy way, raise up a succession of faithful pastors, who shall fully preach thy Word, and be ensamples to the flock. Defend thy Church from all false teachers. Send thy Holy Spirit to accompany the ministry of thy Word with power, that sinners may be converted, and thy people grow up in Christ. And, O thou Lord of the harvest, send forth labourers among the heathen, and to the house of Israel, and greatly bless them. Hasten, O Lord, thy coming and thy kingdom, to the glory of thy great name.

With these our prayers accept, O Lord, our humble and hearty praises for all thy mercies towards us. We bless Thee for food and raiment, for friends and benefactors; above all, for the Gospel of thy grace, for thy written Word, thy holy Sabbaths, and for the hope of glory. All praise and honour be unto Thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one Jehovah, for thy boundless love! Help us to praise Thee better here, and may we worship Thee perfectly in thine own kingdom hereafter, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.