TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY and most holy Lord God, by whose power the world is upheld; in whom we live, and move, and have our being; we praise and worship Thee as the Ruler of the world, and the Creator of all that is therein. All thy creatures speak of thy goodness and wisdom, though we confess that often we have loved and served the creature more than the Creator, and have neglected to see Thee in thy works and to hear Thee speak in thy Word.

Open our eyes every day to see Thee and the traces of thy working in this wonderful world, and to perceive that Thou art Lord of all. May the light of thy sun now risen on the earth remind us to greet with joy the rising upon our sinful world of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings; and as the shadows of night are fled, so put to flight our sinful fears and doubts.

We acknowledge that it is in thy hand to kill and to make alive, to wound and to heal, and we would ever trust thy goodness. When we cannot fathom the depths of thy designs, may we never in haste condemn thy merciful purposes because we cannot clearly comprehend them all; and if Thou seemest to forsake us, may we cleave to Thee closer, till thy presence is restored to us.

O God, how often have we murmured against thy providence, and said in our hearts, “It is in vain to serve the Lord, and what profit have we in walking humbly before the Most High?” Our faith has been weak, and in the hour of need we have sat down in despair, when we ought to have prayed more earnestly to Thee, and taken comfort in thine exceeding great and precious promises.

Take away from us, we implore Thee, this spirit of murmuring and discontent. Teach us in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content. While we use thy help for all our real necessities, let us be heartily satisfied with thy blessed will, even though it be different from ours.

Supply, we pray Thee, from thy fulness in Christ Jesus, all the wants of our souls. Refresh them, while wandering through the wilderness of this world, with the water of life; and may Christ ever be felt at hand in all our journey, to sustain our burdened souls, and strengthen us in the hour of weakness.

Deliver us from haste, and carelessness; from harshness of thought, and rashness of judgment; and if we are vexed with the ungodliness of the world, keep us from too speedily passing judgment on them, for Thou art the righteous Judge, strong and patient.

These mercies we ask in Christ’s name, to whom, as also to Thee, O God the Father, and to Thee, O God the Holy Spirit, we ascribe all praise and power. Amen.