Week 3 Thursday Evening Prayer

FATHER of all mercies, who hast watched over us during this day, and brought us to the close of it in safety ; before we lay ourselves down to take our rest, we would commend our bodies and souls to Thy careful keeping.

Blessed Jesus, through Thee we now come to the throne of grace ; and through Thee we look to be cleansed from the defilement which we have contracted in our walk through the world this day. Blot out as a cloud our transgressions, and as a thick cloud our sins ; for we return unto Thee, because Thou hast redeemed us.

Enter not into judgment with Thy servants, O Lord, for in Thy sight shall no flesh living be justified. We do not say that we have no sin, for then should we deceive ourselves : but we confess our sin, and believe that Thou art faithful and just to forgive it us. Do so, precious Saviour, we beseech Thee, and remove from us the guilt of all that our consciences, this night, accuse us of.

But we would not only praise Thee for deliverance from the punishment of sin ; we most earnestly pray to be delivered from its power. The law of sin that is in our members, is our misery. When we would do good, evil has been present with us ; and the evil that we would not, that we have too often done. We therefore come to Thee, this night, as well for the pardon of the sins of the day, as for strength for the future. If another day be added to our lives, show Thy power in enabling us to crucify sin. Send the Holy Ghost into our hearts, that we may be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit. Grant that all carnal affections may die in us ; and that all things, belonging to the Spirit, may live and grow in us ; and being fed by the manna of Thy word, and the water of the Spirit, may grow daily in grace, and in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus.

But Thou, Lord, who searchest all hearts, canst alone tell whether we all thus hate sin, and thirst for holiness. Oh, if there be any present, who use these words without feeling them ; who join in an expression of hatred to sin, yet love it in their hearts, and cannot bear to part with it, in mercy visit them with Thy salvation. Create within them clean hearts, O Lord, and renew right spirits within them. Convince them that the wages of sin is death ; and make known to them that eternal life, which is the gift of God, through Jesus. Oh, give us all one heart, and one mind, and one spirit, that none, now kneeling before Thee, may be wanting amongst the number of Thy people : but that our names may be written in the Lamb's book of life.

Bless us, O Lord, in our several stations. Bless those who rule — bless those who serve. May we, in our respective callings, adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, in all things ; and while we support the name of Christian, may we not contradict it, by the practice of what is hateful to Christ.

Lord, we would be wholly Thine. We yield ourselves as clay into the hands of the potter. Make us holy vessels, meet for our master's use ; and fill us with the Spirit, in all such power, as Thou seest it right we should possess. Come, Holy Spirit, come ! Purify us — illuminate us — sanctify us — seal us — that we may perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.

To the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be now ascribed all praise, majesty, and dominion, for ever. Amen.