TWENTY-FIRST WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

O LORD, our Father, from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God. By thy mercy we have come to the last day of another week. Swiftly indeed do our days pass away; “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

We confess that, like the people of whom we have been reading, we have often complained and displeased Thee. Forgive us all our sins, whether of ignorance, negligence, or wilfulness; and especially do we ask thy pardon for all our murmurings and complainings against thy providence, and against thy holy will. Enter not into judgment with us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and hear us when we ask Thee graciously to bless us with a calm and thankful heart, free from all discontent and repinings. Cause us to feel that we are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and then show us what great things Thou hast done for us. In all times of our tribulation may we remember that Thou dost not afflict willingly, and may we see that Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. We bless Thee, Father of all mercies, for thy wondrous patience and forbearance, and for the manifold expressions of thy fatherly kindness. We beseech Thee to grant that thy goodness may incline us to be patient and gentle toward our fellow-men, bearing their burdens, as Thou hast taught us in thy Holy Word. We ask Thee, also, to show us the right use of all thy gifts, temporal and spiritual, so that we may profit by every blessing, and avoid the abuse of the least of thy mercies. When thou dost expose us to painful changes, may we not so think of the past as to be unmindful of present blessings; but help us to be of good courage, and graciously strengthen our hearts. So renew our strength day by day, that the yoke of our duty may be easy, and the burden of our responsibilities light.

Thou knowest the position which we severally occupy in this family. Thou hast appointed our duties and the various claims that are made upon us. Do not permit us, in any despondency of heart, to say, “I am not able to bear my burden;” but rather may we say, with thine apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me.” Even now make us strong through the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and may we be so consciously strengthened by thy mighty power, that this day may be unto us the brightest and best of the whole week. May our path, even to the end of our lives, be that of the shining light, shining brighter and brighter unto perfect day. We ask all in the name of our blessed Saviour Christ Jesus. Amen.