Week 1 Tuesday Evening Prayer

OUR Father which art in heaven, at the close of another day we draw nigh to Thee in our evening family prayer. We desire to approach Thee with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

We have again to deplore our continued sinfulness. Notwithstanding frequent and repeated resolutions for good, we have often done this day, in thought, word, and deed, what we ought not to have done, and we have left undone what we ought to have done. We have not loved Thee with all our soul, and strength, and mind, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. It is known to Thee only, O God, how far we have each one erred and strayed from Thy ways. How merciful and long-suffering hast Thou been, not merely to spare our lives, but, notwithstanding our ingratitude and rebellion, to crown us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and to open Thine hand liberally to supply all our wants! Righteousness belongeth unto Thee, O Lord, but unto us confusion of face. Lay not, we beseech Thee, these sins to our charge, but, merciful Father, take them all away in the blood of the Lamb; and ere we lay down our heads on our pillows to-night, may we have a sweet sense of Thy favor, an assurance that our sins are really put away for ever, and that united to the Lord Jesus, our souls are saved with an everlasting salvation.

[Bless, we beseech Thee, our beloved children. Keep them in health of body; but, above all, may their souls prosper and be in health. Teach them to love the Saviour, who said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me." May they, from their earliest years, take Him to be their Master and Friend, and ever follow in His steps. Preserve them from the evil that is in the world. As they grow in years, may they grow in grace; and, finally, may they be Thine in that day when Thou makest up Thy jewels.]

[Bless those who help in this house. Teach us to deal justly towards them; and may they deal justly towards us. Let them not do their work with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.]

Establish the work of our hands. May it prosper, as far as Thou seest it is for our good. Teach us in prosperity rightly to rejoice, and in adversity to consider. Let us not be over-anxious about anything; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, help us to make our requests known to God. And may the peace of God that passeth all understanding keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Bless our neighbors; promote among them and us a spirit of kindness and brotherly love. If any of them are at enmity with us, be pleased to remove that enmity. If we have done them wrong, enable us to confess it, and make restitution; if they have done us wrong, may we be ready to forgive, as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us.

Bless the Church universal, and all, in every place, that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. May Thy ministers be men of earnestness and piety; Thine elders and other office-bearers, men that fear Thee and hate covetousness, filled with the Holy Ghost; and may Thy people shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.

Remember in mercy our beloved country. Guide and bless the President, all judges, legislators and civil officers, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. Restrain wicked and ungodly men among us. Put an end to drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, swearing, and other vices, on account of which the land mourneth. Destroy superstition and ignorance; and may Thy word find an entrance into every family and every heart. Have pity upon the heathen world. Send forth laborers unto this great harvest. And may the day soon come when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

We now commit ourselves to Thy care for the night. If we are spared to the morning, may we rise refreshed to renew our daily work. If any of us should be removed before the morning light, may we be prepared to die, and may we enter upon the rest that remaineth for the people of God.