SIXTEENTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

O LORD God, our God and Father in Christ Jesus, protected by thine almighty power, we have been kept in peace and safety through the night. We would come before Thee this morning with thanksgiving for this and all thy mercies. Truly are they renewed to us every morning, daily dost Thou load us with thy benefits. From Thee cometh all our good—health, friends, food, raiment, every earthly comfort. But, above all, to thy grace and mercy do we owe it, that though we are full of infirmity, and tainted with sin, we are yet permitted continually to come to Thee for all we want. Thou hast promised to blot out our transgressions, and forgive us all our sins. Thou hast given thy Holy Spirit to renew and sanctify our sinful hearts. Cleanse us, O God, from all our guilt, and transform us into the likeness of thy dear Son.

O Lord God, our Saviour, make sin to be hateful to us; and give us to see more clearly and to feel more deeply thy loving-kindness towards us in that Thou keepest our souls in life, and givest us in Christ salvation from sin, and death, and hell.

Gracious Father, be with us through this day. Ignorant and helpless of ourselves, in Thee is all our strength and all our hope. We know not what it shall bring forth—trial and perplexity, joy or sorrow, health or sickness, continued life or unlooked-for death. Preserve us in the midst of temptation. Let not sin or Satan overcome us, or cause our feet to slip. Sustain our feeble steps. Prepare us, by thy grace, for every ordering of thy providence. Keep us from all murmuring and unbelieving thoughts. Let every sorrow speak to us from Thee, that we may know and correct whatever evil in us Thou art chastening with thy rebuke. And though thy way be trackless, as through the sea, and thy footsteps be not known, as those of one passing through deep waters, though thy purposes be hidden from us, yet grant that we may ever trust in Thee, for Thou changest not. Thou art girded with faithfulness, and ever puttest forth for good thine almighty power. O Lord God, Thou hast loved us freely. Thou hast given thy Son to die for us. Thou hast not refused us, in time past, the grace of the Holy Spirit, nor ever failed to do us good.

In all things thy goodness and mercy have followed us; we therefore, in humble confidence, commit ourselves and all dear to us to thy care this day. Such of us [all, young or old,] as are thine, enable to realise their high privileges; such as are yet estranged and ungodly, convert and bring into thy fold. O Lord, hear us; and when Thou hearest forgive, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.