THIRD WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for his sake baptize us also with the Holy Ghost, that we may now draw nigh unto Thee in the spirit of adoption, crying, Abba, Father. But, Father, we have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and are not worthy to be called thy children. We own with shame that we have turned every one to his own way: Thou alone knowest how often we have sinned in thought, word, and deed against Thee. Yet, merciful Father, thy Word, which tells us of our sins, tells us also of thy readiness to show mercy, and directs us to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. Thou hast so loved the world, as to give thine only begotten and well-beloved Son to die, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to Thee. For his dear sake, O Father, forgive us our sins, and receive us graciously.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, take away our sins; grant us thy peace; sprinkle our consciences with thy blood; plead for us as our Advocate with the Father. May thy spotless righteousness be reckoned for our righteousness, that being justified by faith in Thee, we may have peace with God. Be Thou still, and always be to us, the Lamb of God, which takest away sin; take away from us all love of sin. Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, give us daily thy Holy Spirit, to constrain us to follow Him as our pattern while trusting in Him as the propitiation for our sins. Forgiven much, may we love much; loving Thee, may we try to please Thee in all things; may we, and our poor, imperfect services be daily accepted in the Beloved: and thus may we be preparing while on earth to dwell with Thee for ever in heaven.

O Lord, the whole world lieth in wickedness before Thee; may we feel as we ought for our fellow-sinners. Send forth, we pray Thee, faithful men to point sinners to that Lamb of God, that they also may look to Him and live. May many see One standing among them whom they know not, and discover with delight that, by the application of this one sacrifice once made, He still taketh away the sin of the world. Send the Holy Ghost, and give success to all the endeavours of thy servants to make straight the way of the Lord, and prepare men for his glorious coming. May they all, like John the Baptist, have lowly views of themselves, and exalted views of the Lord Jesus. Hear us, Heavenly Father, in these our prayers for his name’s sake. Accept our praises for all thy many mercies, and especially for thine unspeakable gift of that all precious Lamb of God, thy Son our Saviour. To Him, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be glory, now and ever. Amen.