SIXTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

WE would turn, O Lord God, our earliest thoughts to Thee. In thy providence Thou hast spared us during the hours of the past night, Thou hast kept watch beside our beds. Thou hast renewed our strength, and hast awakened us to find all our family circle blessed by Thee. We kneel now before Thee, and utter forth our united thanksgiving. O Lord God, we need thy help and protection throughout this day. We cannot go right, we cannot do right, we cannot even think right, without Thee. Be with us, then, O God, in all we think and do. Be with us in our goings out and in our comings in; and help us so to act that when we come to lie down at night our conscience may be free from sins against thy Divine law.

We feel, Lord, our own utter weakness. We feel that unless we have the constant indwelling of thy Spirit we cannot please Thee. There is much pride remaining within our breasts, much irritability of disposition, much impatience if trial comes upon us, much readiness of judging others, so that we are prone of ourselves to go astray. O Lord God, our faith is so weak, our love so lukewarm, our interest in Divine things so little, that unless thy Spirit strengthen, and enkindle, and keep alive our faith and love, we cannot but err and stray.

Keep us, then, O Lord God, keep our hearts aright; keep our very thoughts; keep our unruly tongue, keep us in all things; and grant that this day we may breathe the spirit of Jesus, and follow, in all our dealings with our fellow-men, the footsteps of our Divine Master. We would live to thy honour and glory.

If tempted, may we, by thy power, resist and overcome; but if it be thy will, lead us not into temptation. Give success to the work of our hands. May we be blessed in our business and pursuits. Thou knowest the needs of each and all, grant us help and blessing in accordance with these needs. Apportion strength according to our necessities. Bless our children; may they learn thus early to love and to serve Thee. May they be thy children. May their young hearts be touched by thy truth, and may they give themselves up to the Lord. Bless those that govern among us. May we remember that we have a Master in heaven. Bless us all with the spirit of love, of truth, and of a sound mind.

And now we commit all those for whom we ought to pray to thy blessing and keeping. Bless them according to their several necessities; give them in this world knowledge of thy truth, in the world to come life everlasting.

These and all other mercies we ask in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen,