TWENTY-FIRST WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

HAVE mercy upon us, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions: for we have offended against thy holy laws, and misused thy benefits. Thou art a just God, who wilt by no means clear the guilty. But Thou art a Saviour, waiting to be gracious to all who truly repent. Oh, accept the sacrifice of broken and contrite hearts, and show Thyself faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For the sake of thy dear Son, who offered himself a sacrifice for us, love us freely, and receive us graciously.

Thou hast promised to give thy Holy Spirit to them that ask Thee. Oh, that He may enable us to call Thee Father, and help us to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, in a devout and holy life. Teach us to do thy will; subdue every evil passion; deliver us from temptation; inspire us with pure thoughts; shed abroad in our hearts the love of Christ; draw our affections to heavenly things, that we may be happy in serving Thee with reverence and godly fear.

When Thou art pleased to send affliction upon us, we would meekly receive the chastening of the Lord, and humbly hope for a better life to come. Heal our sicknesses, relieve our distresses, and be a very present help to us in trouble. In bereavement, may we sorrow not as others who have no hope; and in death, may our blessed Lord, who ever liveth to make intercession for us, receive our spirits, and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

Bless our dear friends and kindred. Keep them in safety, give them the joy of thy salvation, and bring them with us to thy kingdom in glory.

O God of Israel, who didst make thy chosen people joyful when they kept thy statutes; who didst restore them to thy favour when they turned from their iniquities, bless our native land. We thank Thee for our Christian privileges, and for the prosperity and peace which Thou hast ordained for us. But we have been a sinful nation, O Lord. Forgive the ungodliness which abounds, and turn the wicked from their wickedness, that we may be a holy people, and extend to all lands the truth and power of thy glorious Gospel.

We praise Thee for the goodness which has crowned our lives, and for thy care over us while we have slept. And now, as we go forth to the varied duties of this day, we beseech Thee to guide us by thy counsel, and defend us from all sin.

May we all be thine, O gracious Father, through the redemption of thy dear Son, to whom, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be glory and blessing, ever world without end. Amen.