TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Evening

GRACIOUS and merciful God, our refuge and strength, a present help in every time of need, give us thy blessing, we beseech Thee, before we lay ourselves down to rest. We acknowledge the fatherly care with which Thou hast watched over and preserved us during the week, and the love which hath supplied all our wants. We thank Thee for giving us access to thy presence, and for the promise which assures us of acceptance through thy dear Son, who ever liveth to make intercession for us. We confess our sinfulness before Thee. By nature corrupt, we are continually transgressing thy commandments and contracting fresh guilt. Thou knowest our unworthiness, and settest our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. Have mercy upon us, O God, and put away our offences from before Thee. Forgive us for thy name’s sake, and let us now find favour in thy sight.

O Lord Jesus, fit and prepare us for thy second coming. By thy Holy Spirit implant in our hearts a holy fear of sin; and so reveal unto us things unseen and eternal; that we may not be led astray by those which are seen and temporal. Fill our hearts with a lively expectation of thy glory, and sustain us under all trials and temptations by the sure hope of eternal life. Thy promises fail not; enable us to lean on them with all the confidence of loving hearts, knowing that heaven and earth must pass away rather than they should fail. Fulfil thy work of grace within us, transforming us more entirely into thy Divine likeness, and cheering our souls by the experience of thy peace and joy. May it be all our desire day by day to live for Thee, and in the discharge of every duty may we strive to please Thee.

We look forward, O God, with grateful hearts to the rest and privileges of thy holy day. As the Sabbaths come round and ever bring us nearer to eternity, oh, make us more earnest and diligent in the use of our opportunities, remembering that the night cometh in which none can work. In the prospect of the prayer and praise of the morrow, do Thou convince us of our sin, that we may long for spiritual blessings as the hart panteth for the water-brooks; and awaken in us a deep sense of all thy goodness, that we may bring to Thee the tribute of unfeigned thankfulness.

Take us all into thy gracious keeping for the night. Let nothing prevent or disturb our rest. Oh, that, waking or sleeping, we may be thine. We implore thy protection and blessing for all whom we love. In all their necessities do Thou help them. Hear us, heavenly Father, and do for us according to the riches of thy grace and love in Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.