SIXTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

BLESSED and Almighty God, Thou knowest the way of the righteous. Thou didst lead thy people as a flock; with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm Thou didst deliver them, to get Thyself a glorious name, that men might trust in Thee for ever. Thou art still our Guide and our Deliverer. We look to Thee, where to go and where to rest. The pillar of cloud and of fire is before and around us still.

Another day of rest has come and gone. We enter again upon the labours of the week. We have heard thy Word: teach us to remember and keep it. Let us be not only hearers, but doers of the same. We have met thy people; visit us with the favour which Thou bearest to them. We have read of thy judgments; may we learn righteousness. We have been told of thy mercy; let not our hearts be hardened by it. And now, give us thy blessing and guidance, amid the duties and trials that are before us. If our work is arduous, may we remember Him through whom we can do all things. If our work is humble, teach us to ennoble it by the spirit in which it is done. Whether we eat or drink, whether we live or die, may we do all as unto the Lord. If our course is dark and uncertain, if our adversaries are many and powerful, be Thou our Light and our Salvation. Teach us to be still, and to know that Thou art God.

Remember in love all that are dear to us. We thank Thee for them. Thou mightest have put them from us, and our acquaintance into darkness. If there are any of our kindred that are strangers to thy grace, hear us on their behalf. Our hearts’ desire is that they may be saved. Teach us to win them to Christ. Let there be no division of our household in the great day.

We look beyond our own borders. We pray for lands where there is no light, and where the people perish. Have respect to thy covenant. Give the heathen to thy Son for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Awake, O arm of the Lord. Let Zion put on her strength, employ her resources—her might of faith, her power of prayer, her energy of love—for the salvation of men, and then let her trust in Thee. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, and now give the kingdom to thy Son.

Hear us, our Father. Keep us, and continue thy loving-kindness to us. Go Thou forth with us into every engagement, sustaining and sanctifying us in them all. Thus may our whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept our prayers and our thanksgivings through Him, thine own Son, our Redeemer, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praise. Amen.