Week 3 Tuesday Evening Prayer

O GOD, who, though Thou dwellest in the highest heavens, hast respect unto those who pray to Thee on earth in the name of Thy dear Son, Jesus, let Thine ear be attentive to the prayer which, in His name, we now offer unto Thee.

We come under a deep sense of our utter unworthiness of the least of Thy mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs that fall from Thy table ; and yet dost Thou allow us to ask for the portion of children. Thou art very merciful, O Lord ; Thy love in Christ is unsearchable. Yet give us the Spirit, that we may know more of that love. Though it be a love that passeth our full understanding, teach us to understand it more perfectly. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things that are revealed in Thy word. Give us the Spirit, we implore Thee, for Christ's sake ; and may we, by it, be led to the understanding and enjoyment of all that Thou hast revealed. O give us the Spirit, to lead us into all Thy truth. We lay aside our own wisdom ; we yield ourselves to Thee ; and pray of Thee to teach us all that Thou wouldst have us to know.

Nor less do we pray to Thee, O Lord, for the spirit of holiness. Thou seest how much of worldliness still cleaves to us — how our unholy desires seek to be gratified. We pray for strength against these our enemies. That the flesh may be subdued, we pray for the Spirit to resist it — to crucify it. We pray that, as Thou hast saved us from the punishment of sin, Thou wilt grant us the Spirit, that we may be wholly freed from the power of sin. We would realize more of the joy of heaven while we walk on earth — that joy which follows the conquest of sin. O our Father, we hate ourselves on account of sin — we grieve that our hearts should wander from Thee for a single moment. Take possession of us — occupy us — subdue us to the obedience of faith. Be Thou in us the conqueror of sin, the promoter of holiness. Purify us from the defilement that belongs to the flesh, and sanctify us by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

We are conscious that much imperfection has marked our service this day, and that we might have done more for Thy glory had we been stronger in the faith, and more impressed with a sense of Thy love. Oh, shed abroad that love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee, that we may ever walk under the abiding influence and constraining power of the love of Jesus. Teach us not only to feel, but to act like those who are no longer their own, but are bought with a price — even with the price of the Saviour's blood.

But, O gracious Lord, we would not only pray to Thee for what we need, we would also praise Thee for what we have received. We praise Thee for having spared us from merited condemnation. We praise Thee that thou didst not give us over to a reprobate mind. We praise Thee that thou hast plucked us as brands from the burning. We praise Thee for whatever of sin we have been empowered to conquer. Praise be to Thee for the unspeakable gift of Thy Son Jesus, through whom all blessings flow to us. Oh that, as we ought, we may praise Thee now on earth more perfectly, and sing to the praise of Thy redeeming love in the courts of Thy heavenly glory.

And do Thou, O Lord, the God of grace, who hast called us into thine eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that we have suffered a while make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. Do Thou, the very God of peace, sanctify us wholly ; and may our whole spirits, and souls, and bodies be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him, with Thyself, and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, for ever. Amen.