SIXTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

WE bless Thee, most gracious God, that Thou hast been pleased to set apart one day in seven for thy own worship and the welfare of the human race. We thank Thee for the peace and the rest brought unto us by the Sabbath morning, and we humbly ask of Thee grace to help us, that we may serve Thee with reverence and with godly fear. Make this day a season of spiritual instruction and heavenly joy unto our souls. Wherever thy holy Word shall be proclaimed, and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ made known to-day, there, O Lord, bestow thy blessing. Hear the prayers and accept the praises of all saints, and grant unto all faithful preachers and teachers of thy truth grace from on high, so that poor sinners may come to the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, and those who have believed in him may grow in grace and holiness.

Bless all our dear relations, friends, and neighbours, and in thy great mercy grant that our beloved children may know and serve Thee, and walk in thy ways all the days of their life.

Heavenly Father, we entreat Thee to apply to our hearts the lessons we have now heard from the ancient Scriptures. Make us the children of faithful Abraham, so that like him we may believe thy promises, obey thy commands, and patiently wait thy holy will. We adore Thee that Thou didst so love the world as to give thy only begotten Son a sacrifice for sin. Help us, good Lord, truly to believe in Jesus, and to rest assured that Thou wilt provide for all our wants, and conduct us in safety to thy heavenly kingdom. What can we render unto Thee in return for thy great love to us? A broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Feeling that we have nothing, and are nothing of ourselves, we cast ourselves at thy feet, and pray that we may love Thee more and serve Thee better than we have done before.

Fulfil, we beseech Thee, thy ancient promise that all nations of the earth shall be blessed in Christ. Smile upon all efforts to bring the heathen unto him, and let all sorrow, and ignorance, and sin be banished before the brightness of his glorious coming.

And now that we are about to go unto thy house, we praise Thee that we need no burnt offering, but we ask that the holy fire of love may glow in our hearts, that we may be free from all the cares and business of the world. Deliver us, O Lord, from all wandering thoughts and temptations of Satan, and grant unto us the pardon of all our sins, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with Thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, we will render all praise and glory, both now and for evermore. Amen.