THIRD WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Evening

FATHER of all mercies, beneath whose sheltering providence we have this day been preserved, look down upon us, we beseech Thee, in these our evening prayers. To whom else can we come for protection through the dark shadows of the night? To whom can we bring our cares for relief, or our sins for pardon, but to Thee, O Heavenly Father, who hast promised to supply all the wants of thy children for the sake of Jesus Christ our Mediator? In his blessed name, therefore, we now draw near thy throne, and ask for the gifts of thy covenant grace. Blot out all our transgressions. Sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit. Let thy Word dwell richly in our hearts. Thou hast honoured us above angels by granting us the revelation of thine eternal love in Christ Jesus. Yet how little have we prized the excellency of this knowledge! How often do we forget thy promises, and neglect thy precepts! O Lord, lay not these sins to our charge. Remember that we are but dust. Accept us for Jesus’ sake.

O blessed Jesus, we turn to Thee in this our conscious weakness, and thank Thee for that divine compassion which has not left us comfortless. We glorify the riches of thy love which led Thee to become partaker of our own flesh and blood. Precious to us now is all thy power of sympathy with our sorrows, and of help in our temptations! Blessed, for ever blessed be thy name, that we can live by faith on the assurance of thy glorified manhood, and see Thee on Jehovah’s throne as the great Captain of our salvation, not being ashamed even to call us brethren! Lord, into thy faithful hand we commend ourselves day by day. Wilt Thou not keep us, and bring us among many sons to glory! Thou art our only Shepherd. Thou art the Lord our Righteousness. Oh, for a deeper sense of thy love, and a larger measure of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost! Oh, for that faith and patience which will enable us to inherit the promises! We desire to follow Thee in all faithfulness, and whenever we stray from the right path, to hear thy voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

Gracious God, give us these blessings, we beseech Thee. And if any now among us be still strangers to Thee, add to thy gift of mercy, and this very evening bestow upon them the spirit of repentance and faith. Quicken us all, that we may be more wholly and constantly thine. Bless our children, friends, and country. Bless thy Church, with its ministers at home, and its missionaries abroad, and its members everywhere. And all we ask, O God, is for Christ’s sake, to whom with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Eternal Spirit, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.