TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Evening

WE praise and adore thy name, O God, for the mercies of this day. Strength for duty, and the supply of food and raiment, came from Thee. We acknowledge thy hand in all our blessings, and, above all, in the gift of thy dear Son. May the remembrance of his cross and passion awaken us to earnest thankfulness, and may the assurance of his resurrection, and ascension, and intercession, encourage in us a holy trust and confidence. Unworthy in ourselves, we plead his worthiness and merits. For his sake do us good, we beseech Thee, now that we kneel before thy throne, and send us not away unblessed or unforgiven. In many things we continually offend Thee and transgress thy holy law. Lord, be gracious unto us, and visit us not for our sins, but pardon us in thy mercy, and gladden our hearts by thy forgiveness. May we not rest without the assurance of thy mercy.

O God, preserve us, we beseech Thee, from the sin of hypocrisy. Implant in our hearts the undoubting conviction of thine omniscience, that we may shrink from attempting to deceive ourselves, or the world around us, or Thee. Thou discernest the thoughts and intents of the heart; and there is not a word on our lips but Thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. We tremble when we think how Thou searchest us, and weighest all our motives in the balance of truth and righteousness, and we fly for refuge to Jesus, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. We pray for thy Holy Spirit. May He dwell in us, and cause our religion to be a religion of the heart, and not of mere outward show and profession. Oh, give us grace in all things to serve Thee in spirit and in truth, remembering that not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Implant also within us a spirit of self-denial and cheerful liberality. May we have in constant remembrance the great things which Thou hast done for us, and cheerfully do all we can for others. All we are and all we have is thine, and for our use of all things Thou wilt require an account at the great day. Graciously enable us, in the grateful sense of thy mercy, to honour Thee with our substance; and of what we have received at thy hand, be it much or little, may we conscientiously set apart a portion for Thee, and for the advancement of thy kingdom, and the comfort of our poor neighbours.

We pray for thy protection. Let it be above us and all who belong to us during the night, and preserve us from all dangers. Hear us, O God, and grant us an answer of peace, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.