SIXTEENTH WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O GOD our Father, unto Thee, at the close of this day, we raise our hearts in praise and thanksgiving. Constant and unfailing is thy love, unwearied and exhaustless are thy divine compassions. Enable us now, we beseech Thee, to have blessed communion with Thee in this our family worship, and to enjoy in our souls the tokens of thy gracious presence. For all thy mercies to us, from the beginning until now, we thank Thee; for blessings bestowed, and evils, known or unknown, averted; for protection in the hour of danger, and strength in the time of temptation. If in any degree we have served Thee in the duties of our station this day, to Thee be all the praise. If we have been enabled to overcome evil, to thy grace and sustaining help we owe it, and to Thee be all the glory.

O Lord Jesus, we adore Thee for thy great love to sinners. Thou didst bear meekly and patiently the scornful reviling of men, and the unbelief and contradiction of the ungodly, and all for us and for our salvation. Enable us to see what suffering our sins have cost Thee, that we may hate them, and remember how hateful they are to Thee. Cleanse us, we beseech Thee, from all the guilt which our souls have contracted during the day, and by thy Spirit renew in us whatever graces have declined through the malice of the wicked one, the influence of the world, or the deceitfulness and infirmity of our own hearts. Mould us more and more into thine image and likeness. We believe, do Thou help our unbelief. Quicken and increase our love, and kindle our hopes by the bright anticipations of the glory which is yet to be revealed. We desire, O gracious Saviour, to tread in thy footsteps, and to live as in the constant presence of the things which are unseen and eternal. Speak to us day by day in thy Word, and by the impressions of thy Spirit on our hearts, and give us grace to know thy voice, and cheerfully and lovingly to follow Thee. If we are indeed thy sheep, oh, suffer us not to wander from thy fold. If thou seest us straying, turn us back; let us not find pleasure in any way of evil, but lead us into the way everlasting.

Thy providence, O Lord God, is over us and all that concerns us. We put ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, into thy hands. Do Thou what is good for us, and make all things tend to further thy work of grace in our hearts. Behold, in thy goodness, any of us who are strangers to Christ, and living without God in the world. Lord, in thy mercy, suffer them not to perish. Give them true repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask all for his holy name’s sake. Amen.