TENTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Evening

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, the Protector of all who trust in Thee, help us to look up to Thee now and at all times, in love, and reverence, and godly fear. Fill our hearts with grateful praise for the continued mercies of this day. Thou art indeed good and gracious to us. May we ever be mindful that it is from Thee that all good things do come, and that even the evils of life are overruled by Thee, and work for good to them that love Thee. Forgive, we earnestly beseech Thee, all that we have done, or said, or thought amiss this day. Thou art faithful and just to forgive the sins of all who believe in thy dear Son. Lord, we believe; help Thou our unbelief.

Gracious Spirit, anoint our eyes, that we may see.. Leave us not to grope in spiritual darkness. Take of the things of Jesus, and show them unto us, that in Him we may have peace, and be indeed the children of our Father in heaven. Merciful Saviour, Thou knowest our frame, and canst compassionate our weakness. Stretch out at this time thy merciful hand, and raise us up from the depths into which our sin has plunged us. Save us, Lord! save us, or we perish. We pray Thee also to help and succour us in all the trials and temptations of our daily life. Leave us not to be overwhelmed by them, nor permit them to bring us under the dominion and power of sin. When we find our cross heavy, do Thou share the burden with us, and enable us to bear it with patience and holy courage. Remembering thy sufferings for us, O Lord Jesus, may we never repine, but meet with cheerfulness and faith whatever trials, for the Gospel’s sake, Thou art pleased to send to us, and be willing to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

Preserve us, O Lord, this night in peace and safety. We have no power of ourselves to help ourselves. Keep us, we pray Thee, outwardly in the body, and inwardly in the soul, and fit us for the duties of another day. Let thy favour rest upon our dear relations and friends. Oh, grant that both they and we, the old and the young, may hearken to the call of Jesus, and follow Him at all cost. Lord, suffer nothing to hinder us. We desire, O Lord, to be thine entirely; to be free with the liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free, and to enjoy the witness of thy Spirit that we are indeed thy children. Pity, we pray Thee, all them that are yet led captive of the devil at his will. Cast out from their hearts the spirit of disobedience. Open their ears to hear the glad tidings of deliverance, and bring them to a right mind. We ask all, O God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.