TWENTY-FIRST WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Evening

HEAVENLY and merciful Lord God, be pleased to condescend and assist us in our offering of prayer and praise; and although we be unworthy, because of our offences, to offer unto Thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech Thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our iniquities, through Christ our Lord.

In presenting ourselves before Thee, we supplicate the help of thy Holy Spirit, that we may know the greatness of the love of thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We rejoice to know that He was made in the likeness of man, and became obedient unto death, that He might be the resurrection and the life of all that believe in Him. Do Thou, O Lord, so dispose our hearts in return for thy redeeming love, that we may be unfeignedly thankful, and daily strive to show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives. May we count no gift too costly, or service too humiliating, that we may be called to do for Thee, or for the least of thy saints; but may we present ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.

We acknowledge our constant need of seeking to be preserved from every false way. May we never wickedly assume a spirit of piety, or mere outward regard for thy truth. Save us from a feigned charity and concern for the poor, and from urging this as an excuse for withholding from Thee and thy cause that which Thou requirest at our hands.

Help us, O Lord, to behold the light of the knowledge of thy glory, as seen in the face of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. May his gracious presence be with us this night. Make us a household united in love—a family that Jesus will love to honour, and with which He condescends to abide.

We humble ourselves because of the sins of our fellow-creatures, and the many occasions on which the ungodly have taken counsel against thy great name and thy people to destroy them. O Thou Father of mercy, hasten the time when the wickedness of the wicked shall cease, and the just be established in the earth.

We would not be unmindful in our prayers of our Sovereign and the Royal Family. Grant that those in authority may be so directed in their counsels, that truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us. Have compassion upon all the afflicted. Comfort and relieve them according to their necessities, and give them a happy issue out of all their sufferings.

To thy protection we commit ourselves. Watch over us through the night; refresh us with invigorating sleep; and finally bring us to thy rest in glory, through Christ our Saviour. Amen.