Week 1 Thursday Morning Prayer

O LORD, the God of the families of Israel, we are met at the family altar, in Thy gracious providence, to offer to Thee our morning sacrifice, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept our thanksgiving for the rest of the night, the refreshment of sleep, the safety and peace vouchsafed to our household, the raiment with which we are clothed, the food provided for us, and all the other temporal blessings bountifully bestowed upon us. Enable us to receive them all as the purchase of the Saviour's love, bearing the marks of His precious blood, and granted to His believing people as the portion secured for them in the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. Thus may we not only enjoy these blessings, but enjoy Jesus in them, having fellowship with Him in the participation of them, and accounting them so many tokens of His love.

Still more, we thank and praise Thee for our spiritual privileges. Thou hast raised us up, not only in health of body, but in soundness of mind. Thou hast provided not merely the bread that perisheth, for the sustenance of our mortal bodies, but the richer food of the word, bringing to us the bread of life and the water of life, that our souls may be nourished and strengthened. Grant, Lord, that we may be duly sensible of the obligation that is laid upon us, to devote our bodies and souls to Thee and Thy service. Especially may we feel the claims of redeeming love. Help us to feel the justice of Thy claim, wherein Thou hast said unto us, "Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which are His."

Going forth in this spirit, may we hear the voice of Christ saying to us, "Occupy till I come." May we engage in every duty as being due and rendered to Him. So may we employ our time, and talents, and opportunities as His servants. Give us grace to remember the injunction and obey it: "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." May we be faithful in all our relative duties, as husbands or wives, parents or children, brothers or sisters, masters or servants, neighbors or friends. In everything that we are called, either to do or suffer, may we have grace to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts always. May we do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Keep us out of temptation by Thy adorable providence; or if we are exposed to it, may we find that God is faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear.

Help us in every lawful undertaking, and prosper our labors. May we wisely and truly fill the place assigned to us; may we be blessed in it, and made a blessing. Help us to walk with God, and remember that we are pilgrims and strangers here. May we serve our day and generation by the will of God, and so, when we fall asleep in Jesus, may we be with the Lord. We beseech Thee to grant us these blessings for the sake of Christ our Saviour. Amen.