Week 4 Friday Evening Prayer

ALMIGHTY GOD, Father of all mercies, whose we are, and whom we ought to serve ; whom to know is life eternal, and whom to obey is perfect freedom : we adore Thy majesty, as we are allowed to see Thee, in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are sinful and rebellious creatures, and Thou art a consuming fire for sin. But eternal praise be to Thy wisdom, which provided a way whereby Thou couldst be a just God, and yet a Saviour, — just in Thine abhorrence of sin — a Saviour of sinners, through the satisfaction of Thy Son. We praise and bless Thee for the Gospel which reveals Thy love to us in Jesus — that Thou hast laid help upon One that is mighty — that Thou hast delivered us from going down to the pit, because Thou hast found a ransom. O Lord, accept us, this night, in Him — Thy Son — Thy beloved — the Lord our Righteousness. We take hold of His salvation ; we appear before Thee as His members ; we rejoice, that in Him we are justified from all things — that in Him Thou art a God of love. Oh, for the Holy Ghost, to shed abroad in our hearts the love of Thy name ; to increase in us true religion ; to nourish us with all goodness ; and to keep us in Thy love !

O Lord, it is pain and grief to us that we do not serve Thee better. Our hearts are too often charged with the care and occupation of earthly things. Our flesh cleaveth to the earth, and our affections stray away from Thee, whom we have charged them to love. Pity us, O our God. Have compassion upon us while we are struggling against the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Leave us not in our own strength to contend with spiritual wickedness in high places ; but let Thy strength be made perfect in our weakness. Put upon us Thy heavenly armor. Endue us with power from on high. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost, that we may be refined from the dross of earthly-mindedness, and purified to serve Thee in spirit and in truth. And O our ever precious Saviour — our great High Priest — our Advocate with the Father, plead Thou our cause ; and supply all spiritual blessings, for the strengthening and refreshing of our souls. All that we can desire is treasured up in Thee. Give forth, without scarceness, whatever we need, for Thy service, and for the enjoyment of heavenly things ; so that we shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the work of our God.

O Lord our guide, make it plain how Thy servants should serve Thee. Leave us not in doubt, who, in sincerity of heart, look to Thee for direction ; but let the pillar and the cloud go before us.

O Lord, rouse Thy slumbering servants amongst us and make them ready for the bridegroom's coming. Give us oil in our lamps, and oil in our vessels ; and so wean our hearts, even from the lawful engagement of worldly things, that we may be ready at any moment to go forth when the cry shall be heard. “ Behold the bridegroom cometh."

If there be any present, O Lord, who could not welcome the advent of Jesus, enable them so to do. Prepare their hearts to obey the Gospel of His grace. Give them faith in Jesus as a Saviour, and the spirit of adoption to call Thee Abba, Father. Oh, curse not the barren fig trees, but spare them yet a little longer, and supply that Spirit which will cause them to bring forth fruit to Thy glory.

Let these our petitions be heard and answered by Thee, O Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.