Week 1 Saturday Evening Prayer

AT the close of another day, having been preserved by Thy good providence, we unite to worship Thee, with humble and grateful hearts. All the day long Thou hast watched over us, and therefore it is that we are here, the living, to praise Thee. We bless Thee for all our temporal mercies. We thank Thee for that precious word of Thine we have just been reading, and for the wondrous revelation it contains of Thine infinite love to lost sinners.

We thank Thee, O God, that the way of salvation is so clearly made known to us. We rejoice that when we could not by any works or worth of ours save our own souls, or deliver a brother, Jesus Christ came down to earth and took on Him our nature, and was made in the likeness of man, that He might redeem us from eternal death. We bless Thee, O God, that of Thy sovereign grace Thou didst permit a Substitute to stand in our place. We thank Thee that of Thine infinite love Thou didst Thyself provide that Surety in the person of Thy dear Son, and didst lay on Him the iniquities of us all.

We thank Thee now, and will ever thank Thee, that when we deserved to die, Thou didst draw Thy sword "against the man that was Thy fellow," and that His life-blood was shed on Calvary to purchase life for us.

We earnestly pray that that blood may be applied to each of us, so that we may know experimentally that it cleanseth from all sin. Our sins and shortcomings this day have been very many. We have all offended Thee our Father; but we ask for mercy. We plead that these offences and sins may be all removed, and that we, washed in the blood of the Lamb, and clothed in the white robes of His righteousness, may be numbered this night amongst Thy redeemed, justified, and adopted children.

Grant also that Thy Holy Spirit may be given to us to abide in us continually. We entreat that we may be so enlightened and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, that we shall have clear evidence of our being regenerated children of God, and heirs of eternal glory.

Help us, O Lord, by Thy Spirit, ever to live as Thy children, animated by love to Thee, and rejoicing in the hope of entering at last into the full enjoyment of the redeemed around Thy throne.

Take us this night under Thy fatherly care. Give us refreshing rest, and while we sleep watch over us. We are brought to the end of another week, and to the eve of the day of holy rest. Prepare us for it both in body and in spirit. May we have grace to lay aside the cares of our life, as we lay aside its toils, that we may hold a day's fellowship with Thee, the father of our spirits.

Visit, we pray Thee, those who are in affliction. Bless abundantly our dear friends. Favor this land, and grant us continued peace and prosperity. Give wisdom to the chief magistrate, and to all in authority. Bless in large measure the Church of Christ. Bless her ministers and members. Increase her purity and zeal. Extend her borders till she fill the whole earth, and one song of praise shall ascend to Thee from all lands.

Hear and accept of us in Christ, and to Thy name shall be all the praise for ever.