TWELFTH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Evening

BLESSED Lord Jesus, we adore Thee as the only begotten Son of God; the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God; our only Saviour, our eternal Friend. We build all our hopes upon thy person, thy righteousness, and thy finished work. Ever may we be bound to Thee by ties of gratitude and love. Blessed is he who believeth in Thee. Blessed are we, that out of our sin and sorrow we may look unto Thee for salvation.

Bestow upon us, O God, such zeal for thy glory, and so much of the patience of thy kingdom, that we may gladly endure persecution and scorn for thy name’s sake. Since Thou didst bear the cross for us, let us not refuse any cross of thine; only strengthen us in thy ways, and leave us not without the supports of thy sacred Spirit. Pardon us, O Lord, that we have done so little to spread abroad thy praise, and to bring our fellow-men to the knowledge of thy grace. Arm us, we beseech Thee, with courage, and fill our hearts with so much love to Thee that we may make all around us know how great, how good, and how precious a Saviour Thou art.

May we ever, as Thou hast taught us, prize the soul beyond the body, eternity beyond time, and heaven beyond earth. Make us content to be poor in this world, if only we are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom; and in that great day when Thou shalt judge the secrets of all men, grant unto us, through thy precious blood, to find acceptance with Thee and everlasting life.

We thank and bless our God for all the goodness and the truth which have been shown us this day. We praise Thee, Lord, for all the mercies bestowed on us, and for our preservation from the innumerable evils which have compassed us about. Pardon all Thou hast seen in us opposed to thy sacred will. Teach us to do thy will. We humbly and earnestly ask that forgiveness of sin which Thou hast mercifully promised to bestow upon all who seek it, through thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Keep us in safety through the night; bless our habitation and all whom it contains. Kindly grant us sweet sleep; preserve us from all disturbance and all danger, and in the morning grant us to rise refreshed and strengthened for our labour. Have mercy, O God, upon all our relations, friends, and neighbours; bestow upon them all needful good, both temporal and spiritual. Hear the prayers which any offer on our behalf, as well as our prayers for all the families that call upon thy name; for we approach Thee in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto whom, with Thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory for ever. Amen.