TWELFTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Evening

O LORD, we gratefully acknowledge that Thou hast done all things well. All our life long we have been the objects of thy care; and through all the way by which we have come, Thou hast watched over us, Thou hast shaped our course, and fixed the bounds of our habitation, and ordered aright that which concerns us. And now, O Lord, we give Thee thanks for thy providential guidance and guardianship, and for the unfailing bounty by which Thou hast supplied our wants. Grant, we entreat Thee, that the goodness and mercy which have been over us until now may follow us all the days of our life.

We are encouraged to trust Thee by the remembrance of thy past mercies. If sometimes thy ways have appeared dark and mysterious to our erring sight, the result has proved that all thy ways were right. Though Thou hast veiled thy face, Thou hast never withdrawn thy love; Thou hast shown us that when thou didst most clothe Thyself in clouds, it was only the better to fulfil thy wise design. Thou hast delayed to bestow, but Thou hast never denied us thy blessing; and the delay of which we have most complained has only been designed to try our faith, and to prepare us for the larger mercy. And whatever the way by which Thou hast brought us, Thou hast caused all things to work together for our good.

And now, O Lord, we come again to the fountain from which we have so often drawn. We cast ourselves again on the love which has never failed us. We deserve not the smallest of thy favours, nor the meanest place in thy house. We are not worthy to be called thy children, nor to be numbered among thy servants; for we have failed to honour Thee as a Father, and to serve Thee as a Master. But Thou, O Lord, art merciful; and though our wants are manifold as our sin is great, it is easy for Thee to supply them all. Even the crumbs of thy bounty are sufficient to enrich us; and Thou wilt not withhold these when Thou hast given us thy Son. Lord, for his sake do Thou supply our wants. Grant us a clearer sense of forgiveness and acceptance. Take away every feeling which interferes with our service. Let our ears be open to hear thy voice, our hearts and lips to show forth thy praise.

We commend to Thee our [children and] friends. Teach them day by day thy will. Deliver them from all evil, and preserve them safe unto thy kingdom and glory.

Accept of our thanksgivings for the mercies of the day. Have us and ours in thy holy keeping during the watches of the night. Guide us through life; and at death receive us to Thyself, for Christ’s sake. Amen.