TWENTY-SECOND WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Morning

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, for his sake look in thy mercy upon us, who at the beginning of another day draw near to Thee. We thank Thee for the blessings of the night past, for the health and strength which Thou hast continued to us, and for all the gifts of thy love which we enjoy this day.

O Lord, forgive all our sins, and enable us to serve Thee more faithfully for the time to come. We desire, O our Father, to walk with Thee this day, trusting in thy help, realising thy presence, and doing thy will. Keep us, we beseech Thee, from all sinful words and works; may our affections be set on things above; may we, in all our ways, acknowledge Thee, and our paths be directed by Thee in all things.

Thou seest us to be set in the midst of many dangers. Oh, be Thou our help in every time of need. May we ever look to Thee, and go forward without fear, knowing that, although our enemies are many and mighty, Thou who art on our side art stronger than all. May thy promises ever cheer our hearts, and may the hope of the inheritance which Thou hast given us in Christ Jesus animate us, amidst all our dangers and temptations, to press forward on our heavenly way. Keep us from unbelieving fears: while we have no confidence in ourselves, may we have full confidence in Thee, and may we feel assured that Thou wilt make us more than conquerors through Christ our Saviour.

Grant us now the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. May the spiritual comforts which we enjoy be to us a foretaste of the still greater blessing to which we look forward hereafter; so that we may each day more earnestly desire the possession of that good land which Thou hast promised to us. Look, O gracious Father, on all who are near and dear to us, keep them in thy ways. May they all be one with us in Christ. May his Spirit fill their hearts, and may they ever obey thy holy commandments, and walk in thy fear and love. Keep them from the evils of this sinful world, and renew to them day by day thy grace, that they may be followers of those who, through faith and patience, have inherited the promises.

We beseech Thee, O our God, for thy whole Church militant here in earth; may all who profess and call themselves Christians be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Keep thy people from evil; and when the enemy comes in like a flood, do Thou raise up a standard against him. Hear us, O merciful Father, for Christ’s sake. Amen.