TWELFTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Evening

ONCE, more, O God, in the multitude of thy tender mercies, we are permitted to draw near to thy throne of grace. We have had many religious privileges to-day, but we fear we have not used them as we ought to have done. Forgive the sins of our worship; wash our very services in the blood of the Lamb, and keep us at all times from honouring Thee with our lips, while our hearts are far from Thee.

Bless to our hearts, O God, the word of the truth of the Gospel which our ears have heard to-day. Bless the portions of thy Holy Book to which we have listened, and oh, fasten upon our souls the solemn words of the Saviour which we have just read. Keep us from the defilement that cometh out of the heart. From all deadly sin, from envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness, good Lord, deliver us.

Heavenly Father, and Saviour, and Comforter, it grieves us to think that our hearts are so dead, and our lips are so dumb, to speak thy praise. Yet, we beseech Thee, accept our humble tribute of thanksgiving, for Jesus’ sake, and fit us for singing thy praises in a better way and in a brighter world.

We rejoice to think of Thee, eternal King, as the God who heareth and answereth prayer. May all the prayers to-day offered, according to thy will, return in blessings to many, many souls. Make thy Word preached this day to be the power of God unto the salvation of many who have heard it. Let thy Church now arise, and shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful garments; let all the ends of the world see the salvation of our God.

Bless the poor in their cottages; bless the sick upon their beds; bless the captives in their dungeon, especially those whom Satan hath bound; and, in blessing others, forget us not. Lord, we would see Jesus. Take the veil from our hearts, and let us behold the King in his beauty. Forgive us that we have grieved the blessed Comforter, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us. We desire to know more of Thee and thy love, which passeth knowledge, and to have a deeper experience of the work of thy grace in our hearts.

Gathered here as a family, we ask for family mercies. [Our children, ourselves, the dear ones at home, and the dear ones far away, bless them all, O Lord.] Make those who are already thine more like Thee, and oh, that all whom we love may live before Thee! And now for the hours of our nightly rest we cast ourselves on thy loving care. Guard us while we sleep, and when we awake may we be still with Thee. We ask all for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.