SIXTEENTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, we bless thy name for thy goodness to us during the past night, and in bringing us to the beginning of another day. May this day, and all days, be spent in thy service. May we work for Thee while it is day, because the night cometh when no man can work. May we redeem the time because the days are evil. In thought, word, and deed strengthen us to glorify thy name. Let us shine as lights in a dark world. May men take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. May we do nothing that is inconsistent with our holy profession, and never cause any to stumble by our worldliness or sinfulness.

Thou only knowest what lies before us. Thou only knowest what this day may bring forth. To Thee, therefore, we commend ourselves and all our affairs. Do Thou be our Guide. Let the pillar of thy presence go before us. May we ever hear a voice behind us, as we turn to the right hand or to the left, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” May the angel of thy presence abide with us this day and for ever. Do Thou Thyself encamp around us. May our very trials be overruled for good. May the deep waters of our afflictions open out a way for us to the good land. May our deepest sorrows be so sanctified by Thee as to be a wall of defence unto us on the right hand and on the left. Enable us to be victorious over every enemy, and to fight manfully under Christ’s banner against sin, the world, and the devil; and may we at last receive the victor’s welcome of “Well done,” and enter into the joy of our Lord.

Grant that we, as a family, may grow in grace day by day. May we seek each other’s good. May we be helpers to each other in every holy work. May we be a household in which Jesus delights to dwell. Teach us to regulate our actions according to thy Word. In ruling and serving may we remember that one is our Master, even Christ, and that all we are his servants. [May we, as parents and children, serve and glorify Thee. Make the young before Thee like unto the child Jesus. May they be subject unto their parents as He was. As they grow in stature may they grow in favour with God and man. May they ever be about their Father’s business, even in their days of childhood and youth; and may they grow up to be blessings to all men, and living examples of the saving and sanctifying influence of the Gospel.] Let thy blessing rest upon all our relatives, and make them thine. Pour down thy Spirit upon the whole Church, and hasten the time when all shall know Thee, from the least to the greatest, because all shall be taught of God. We ask these blessings for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.