THIRD WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

LORD of the Sabbath, in thy mercy listen to our prayer. Thou art the long-suffering God, or we had not now been kneeling together in peace at thy footstool. Often have we grieved thy Spirit by the wilfulness and waywardness of our hearts: still Thou sparest us, not because our transgressions are of small account with Thee, nor because thine arm is not strong to punish and destroy, but because thy mercies are great, and thy compassions fail not. Thou art not willing that we should perish. For thy name’s sake, O God, and in pity to our souls, let not thy forbearance towards us fail of its purpose. Give us thy Holy Spirit to arouse and quicken us. Such of us as have never yet repented of their multiplied transgressions against Thee, convince of their sin: show them the fearful peril of trifling with grace and opportunity. In such of us as have already sorrowed for sin after a godly sort, do Thou deepen the sense of sin. Lord, take these hearts of ours, unholy, impure, stained as they are, and make them clean in the fountain once opened for sin. Renew and sanctify us by thy grace, that we may be transformed ever more and more into the image and likeness of thy dear Son.

We thank Thee, heavenly Father, for the mercies of the past night. This is the day which the Lord hath made: oh, that we may rejoice and be glad in it! Forgive, O God, past neglect, and let it not cause Thee now to withhold thy blessing. Be Thou with us all the day, and work in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure. As we kneel in prayer, teach us our emptiness, that we may yearn to be filled out of thy fulness. Feed us with the bread of life which came down from heaven. Give us of the living waters which flow from the throne of God and the Lamb. As we lift up our voices in praise, oh! kindle within us a heavenly fervour by the recollection of thy goodness and mercy. Let not thy Gospel witness against us to our condemnation, but make it the savour of life unto life—a message of love and peace welcome to our souls, for which we shall glorify Thee at the close of the day.

Pour down thy Spirit abundantly on all who shall meet in thy house of prayer; prepare them to receive thy Word. Lead many this day to the cross. Let thy Word have free course and be glorified. Touch the hearts of thy ministers with fire from heaven, and make them wise to win souls to Christ. Make bare thine arm among the nations. Awaken in thy Church an earnest longing for His coming who shall make all things new; and grant that when He cometh we may all be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Grant it, O Lord, for his sake. Amen.