TWENTIETH WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Evening

WE worship and bow down, and kneel before Thee, O Lord, our Maker; for Thou art our God, and we are the people of thy pasture, and the sheep of thy hand. Thou art a great God, and of great compassion. We thank Thee for the many gifts of thy bounty during the hours of this day; but, above all, for thine unspeakable gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We acknowledge that we have gone astray like lost sheep. How often have we ungratefully forgotten Thee, and forsaken thy way! But we return unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity. Father, forgive us, for thy dear Son’s sake.

Remembering all thy benefits, we dedicate our whole body, and soul, and spirit unto Thee, a living sacrifice. Give us understanding, that we may keep thy precepts. Sanctify us through thy truth. Strengthen us to serve Thee with perfect hearts and willing minds.

O Thou who hast been tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, be our Refuge and Shield in the hour of temptation. May we overcome evil with good. May we walk worthy of the holy name we bear, and show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. If we have to endure hatred and persecution, comfort us with the assurance that Thou wilt deliver the godly out of temptation. Leave us not, neither forsake us; but perfect thy will in our souls.

We pray for all who are near and dear to us. May those who know thy love be preserved blameless unto the end, and may our unconverted relatives be brought into the fellowship of thy dear Son.

Let thy kingdom come. Prosper the work of thy universal Church. Pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh. Bring the families of men into the blessing of faithful Abraham, that Jews and Gentiles may confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

O Lord, be Thou our keeper through the darkness of the night. Preserve us from all evil: preserve our bodies and our souls: preserve our going out and our coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore; and, at last, bring us to the mansions which are prepared in our Father’s house, where there is no night.

O Thou that hearest prayer, accept our evening sacrifice; and when Thou hearest in heaven, thy dwelling-place, forgive, and answer, and do: granting unto us all spiritual blessings, and supplying all our need, according to thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Amen.