TWENTY-FIRST WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

O LORD, we worship and adore Thee, for Thou art our Maker, and we are the people of thy pasture, and the sheep of thy hand. We thank Thee for thy watchful care of us during the past night, and for the mercies of this new day. The day is thine, and the night also: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. All our blessings come from Thee, and to Thee we desire to trace them, through whatever instrumentality they have been conveyed to us: Thou art the parent source, and there is not a blessing we enjoy which we can say has been deserved by us. We are miserable sinners. It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, and because his compassions fail not. Thanks be to God for redemption in the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Wash us in his precious blood. Sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit; and after guiding us safely through this vain world, bring us to the land of uprightness.

Impress on our minds the lessons taught us in that portion of thy holy Word which we have now read. Make us kind and gentle towards all men, and helpful especially to the poor, the afflicted, and the stranger. Enable us to consider ourselves stewards only of all that we possess, and let us be ready to distribute, willing to communicate, since with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Implant and cherish within us that love which is the fulfilling of the law. Endow us with the Spirit of Him who, though rich, became poor for our sakes, that we, through his poverty, might be rich. As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith. We would remember them that are in bonds as bound with them, and them that suffer adversity as being ourselves also in the body.

We bless Thee that Christ came to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound. May the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus make us free from the law of sin and death. Enable us more and more to walk at liberty, keeping thy precepts; and, O God, break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free. Deliver the nations from the bondage of ignorance, superstition, and sin. Remember in this respect thy Word unto thy servants upon which Thou hast caused us to hope. Have respect unto thy covenant; let the day of universal jubilee dawn, and gather all the redeemed sons of Adam to the enjoyment of their forfeited inheritance.

To thy care and blessing we commit ourselves throughout the day. Help us to order all our affairs with discretion. Keep us from evil, that it may not grieve us. We ask all through Christ. Amen.