Week 3 Tuesday Morning Prayer

MOST blessed Lord, who delightest in showing mercy to those who honor Thy beloved Son ; we, renouncing all self-dependence, and trusting to that complete atonement which He has made upon the cross, come into Thy presence this morning.

We humble ourselves before Thee on account of our sins. Goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives. Thou hast commended Thy love to us, in that Thou hast given Thy Son for our sins ; and yet we have requited Thy goodness and Thy love by ingratitude and rebellion. O Lord, we hate ourselves on account of sin. We long to be delivered from it. We wish for that holiness which is happiness. We feel our utter inability to conquer a single sin. We therefore cry unto Thee, our Father. We knock at Thy door this morning, and implore of Thee to come forth, and to give us a Father's blessing. We do not ask for riches — for honors — for the good things of this world. But we pray of Thee to give us the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, to resist the temptation of the world, the flesh and the devil. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost. Condemn sin in our members ; and as those members have too long been employed as instruments of unrighteousness, may they now, and ever, and unceasingly, be employed in Thy happy service. We desire, O Lord, that no darling sin be retained ; but enable us, by the Spirit, with unsparing severity to crucify every unholy affection and lust.

We pray for the mind that was in Christ Jesus ; and to that end, give us the Spirit that was in Jesus. Lord, confirm and strengthen in us whatever Thou thyself hast planted ; and root out of us all things that offend against the holiness that becomes Thy faithful followers.

And, O Lord, look in mercy upon any now kneeling before Thee, who are yet unconverted by the Spirit of Christ — who love the world in preference to Jesus, and who follow its ways instead of the ways of holiness. Show them their danger, we beseech Thee, and show them their loss. Convince them that they are in the road that leads to the ruin of their souls. Give them Thy Spirit to display before them the love and beauty of Jesus ; that their affections may be withdrawn from unworthy objects, and centred upon Him. O adorable Redeemer, so manifest thy love to each of us, that we may esteem Thee the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely ; and so be filled by Thy love, that our hearts and thoughts may dwell upon Thee all the day long.

And while we pray to Thee for those things which we stand in need of, we would praise Thee for what we have already received. Praise be to Thee for the blessings of the past night ; that we laid us down to sleep, and were raised in safety. Praise be to Thee if we begin this day with any increased desire to live to Thy glory. Oh, if we have this not, give it us before we rise from our knees. Praise be to Thee for health, for food, for raiment. But above all, praise be to Thee for the unspeakable gift of Thy beloved Son, Jesus.

And now, Lord, we pray Thee to watch over us while we pass through the world this day. Lead us not into temptation — deliver us if tempted. Enable us to glorify Thee in our several callings in life. Let nothing so occupy us, as to drive Thee for a moment from our minds ; but be Thou ever present, to regulate our tempers, our affections, and our pursuits. Hear these our prayers, O Lord, and when Thou dost hear, forgive. Pardon the imperfection of our solemn services, and accept us and them, for the sake of Him in whom Thou art well pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.