TWELFTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

O GOD, Thou art our God, early will we seek Thee. Our voice shalt Thou hear in the morning; every day will we bless Thee, and praise thy name for ever. Preserved by thy care, O Thou who never slumberest, we again implore a Father’s blessing from thy hands, and ask of Thee those things which are necessary as well for the body as the soul. We pray for guidance during this day. We are strangers here, seeking a better country; help us to live as those who know that this is not their rest. Let thy bountiful grace and mercy point out our way. Enable us to overcome difficulties, preserve us in the hour of temptation and weakness, and bring us safely to our journey’s end.

O Thou compassionate and all-loving Father, who in Jesus Christ art willing to be our Father, who givest good gifts to thy children, behold us before Thee, waiting for those gifts which Thou alone canst bestow. Earnestly do we ask that Thou wouldst accept us through thy well-beloved Son, wouldst place us among thy children, and give us of their portion.

Bless us with strength of purpose and stability of mind. May we never look back, after putting our hands to the plough, but forgetting that which is behind, reach forward to the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Teach us to value our privileges and rights as the sons of God, never to barter them for anything the world or the flesh may offer, but to endeavour to be blameless and harmless, as thy children in the midst of an evil world.

Bless us with calm and holy tempers, such as become the followers of the meek and loving Jesus; and give us resolution to put away from us all anger, wrath, and malice, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as we hope to be forgiven of Thee, for Christ’s sake.

Bless us with influence for good over our brethren, that we may seek their happiness, sorrowing with their sorrows, and rejoicing in their joy. If thou shouldst call us to rule, may we rule in the fear of the Lord; if to serve, help us to do it as serving the Lord Christ; that when He comes we may be approved in his sight, and give in our account with joy.

Bless our neighbours and friends with peace and prosperity in their homes, that all men may see that we are a people blessed and owned of Thee. Guide and direct our rulers, and all in authority. Clothe them with uprightness and truth, for the punishment of wickedness and vice, and the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue.

These mercies we seek from Thee, the mighty God, for the sake of thy Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.