Week 1 Wednesday Morning Prayer

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we lift our souls to Thee in the morning of a new day. Another night has passed, and Thou hast watched over us for good through it. We laid ourselves down, and now we have risen again in safety, health, and peace. Each of us would say: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name."

Our bodies and our minds are refreshed by the night's rest. Grant, Lord, that we may be strengthened with might by Thy Spirit in the inner man. While the sun of nature brings light to the world, grant, we beseech Thee, that the beams of the Sun of Righteousness may gladden our souls, and chase away all unbelief and sin. Make us always to live as those who are the children of the day, casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light.

O God of mercy, many of Thy creatures are, about this time, rising from their night's rest, and going forth to the engagements of another day. Do Thou awaken them to righteousness; may they be delivered from the power of darkness, and be translated into the kingdom of Thy dear Son; and may the whole of the human race, from east to west, and from north to south, soon be made to hear and obey Thy voice, saying to them: "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." And O Lord, grant that we may truly hear and obey that voice ourselves.

O Lord, Thou knowest the end from the beginning, but we know not what a day may bring forth. Indeed, so ignorant are we of the future, that we cannot tell at the beginning of one hour what shall take place before the end of it. We do know some of the wants we shall have to-day, and some of the works we must do to-day. Oh, our heavenly Father, give us this day, in all respects, "our daily bread." Supply our wants, and make us diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Prepare us for the things that shall unexpectedly come upon us. Make us watchful and prayerful. Grant us a clear knowledge of duty in every case; and may we have a heart forward and strong in Thy strength to do it. Blessed God, we beseech Thee to have Thine eye upon us, and Thy hand with us, to guard us, to guide us, to sustain us, to comfort us, and to give us good success this day. From all the evil that is about us, and from all the evil that is within us, keep us by Thy own power. Enable us so to conduct ourselves that we may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

O Thou who art rich in mercy, and who dost delight in mercy, we commit ourselves to Thee. Baptize us with Thy Holy Spirit, and make this day a day of blessing to us all, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.