THIRD WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY Lord God, the Maker of all things, who from thy throne beholdest all the dwellers upon earth, be pleased most graciously to look upon us at this time.

We acknowledge that we have sinned and done amiss, and have need to bow at thy footstool in great lowliness of spirit. Thy dealings with us and all thy creatures have been most kind and tender—worthy of our greatest confidence and love.

Thou hast wisely counselled, admonished, and corrected us. Thy judgments, from time to time, have been abroad in the earth; yet we have too often been unmindful of them, and not learnt to do thy righteous will.

But we beseech Thee to enter not into judgment with us, thine unworthy servants. Spare us, good Lord, and pardon our manifold offences, for thy dear Son’s sake.

And as we, through thy gracious providence, have been permitted to enter upon the duties of another day, we would seek thy guidance, protection, and blessing. May we this day be delivered from the great snare of putting our trust in any earthly good, power, or creature, and from seeking our happiness in the world apart from Thee.

Be pleased also to instruct us in the nature of thy will, the character of thy laws, and the way of peace and safety, so that we may be kept under the protection of thy fatherly love, and have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy name and Word.

In our prayers we would bear before Thee the wants of the world in which we live. It has gone astray from thy testimonies; the strife of tongues prevails; confusion and every evil work are seen in the dwellings of many; and the way of peace is not sought or loved. We therefore beseech Thee, in compassion to our fallen world, to increase and make more pure and efficient the agencies employed for its conversion.

Send forth thy Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Make thy ways known; thy saving health among all nations. Oh, let the people soon learn to be of one heart and tongue, and united to praise Thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.

As members of a Christian family we would implore thy favour and blessing upon us. Pour into each of our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the bond of peace and of all virtues. Keep us from all things hurtful, and bestow upon us all such gifts as will be profitable for us both in time and eternity: and grant that, when we have served Thee upon earth, we may glorify Thee in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.