Week 3 Wednesday Evening Prayer

UNTO Thee do we lift up our hearts, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens. In Thy great mercy hear us ; and answer the prayers and accept the praises which we present unto Thee, in the name of Jesus.

O Lord, teach us how to pray. Solemnize our hearts. Enable us to withdraw our minds from worldly thoughts, and to worship Thee with spiritual minds. Forever blessed be Thy name, for the privilege of praying to Thee — of telling Thee all our wants, and griefs, and sadness ; and for the assurance, that, for the worthiness of Jesus, Thou dost bestow upon us Thy heavenly blessings. We have much to grieve over, O Lord. Our coldness, and deadness, and slothfulness in Thy service, cause us grief and pain. We would love Thee more, and serve Thee better ; but our hearts are still too fond of earthly things ; and often have we to draw ourselves into Thy presence, when we should run with the fullness of delight. For the sake of Thy dear Son, grant us more of the Spirit. Nourish the life which Thou hast given us. Keep up the power of religion in our souls. Lead us to enlarged views of the Redeemer's glory, and deeper views of the evil of our hearts. Show us more of the evil of sin, and the beauty of holiness. Strengthen us by the Spirit, to imitate the example of Jesus ; and give us the mind that dwelt in Him.

We ask for great things, O our Father ; but Thou hast encouraged us so to do ; Thou lovest to bless Thy poor weak ones, who cry unto Thee, and who, mourning their deficiency, look to Thee for strength. Blessed Jesus, Thou art our strength. Be Thou strong in us. And may Thy Spirit be powerful in us this day. We have much to contend with, — the world, with all its seducing pomp and vanity — the flesh, with all its unholy desires — the devil, with all his art and power, are leagued against us. But give us the Spirit, O our God, and we shall be strengthened to resist.

Increase Thy gifts to all who know Thee, O Lord. Make Thy Church a glory in the earth. Call many more to be faithful preachers of Thy holy word. Teach those who minister in holy things to be less of this world, and more ensamples of holiness, and of deadness to the things of this passing life. Reveal by the Spirit the neglected truths that lead to personal holiness. Enable us to cease from man, and to follow the unerring rule of Thy word of truth.

For Thy care of us during the past day, we give Thee thanks, O Lord. Take us, and all whom we desire to remember in prayer before Thee, under Thy watchful providence this night. Preserve us through the remaining part of the day of life ; and may we be blessed by Thee, to rejoice at the close of this day in the prospect of endless glory through Jesus. To Him, to Thyself, O heavenly Father, and to the Holy Ghost, be endless praise ascribed. Amen.