Week 4 Friday Morning Prayer

MOST blessed Father and God, whom to know is life eternal, and whom to serve is perfect freedom, give us the light of the knowledge of Thy glory in the face of Jesus Christ ; and help us now, through Him, to offer to Thee a spiritual sacrifice.

Thy mercies are new every day ; great is Thy faithfulness. Thou hast again preserved us in safety during the night, and dost allow us to worship Thee this morning in peace. For all the blessings of this life, accept our thanksgiving. Day unto day, and night unto night, declare Thy love and bountifulness to us. Thou fillest our hearts with joy and gladness — Thou protectest us as with a shield. But O our God, renew the supplies of the Holy Spirit, to furnish our lamps with oil for the day, that we may shine as lights in the world. We cannot live this day upon the strength of yesterday. Give us a fresh supply — an increased supply, that we may be more holy, less worldly, more devoted, less slothful, than before.

We would go forth as witnesses for Jesus this day. We pray for strength to trample on the world and its toys. We pray Thee to remove the vail that hides Thy glory, and to allow us by the Spirit to taste the power of the world to come. Display before us the unseen realities of Thine eternal kingdom, that we may rise above the things of time and sense. O Lord, we grieve to think how much the world still prevails to draw our hearts from Thee. Crucify us to the world, and the world to us. May we be dead to its enjoyments ; may we find no pleasure in any thing on earth, except as it leads us to Thee, or is connected with Thy service. Make us truly to be citizens of a heavenly city — strangers here in the land of our pilgrimage. May our conversation one with another be upon the glory that is to be brought to us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. May our hearts have no place for the trifling concerns of this passing scene.

Grant to Thy faithful people, O Lord, the enjoyment of all Thy spiritual gifts. Make the Church a temple of the Holy Ghost. Be Thou seen in the midst of her ; and may each member of Thy body here on earth be an epistle of the Spirit, read and known of all men. Oh, separate Thy Church from the world, and let it shine as a city set upon a hill. Strengthen the hands of those who labor in Thy word and doctrine. May the truths of Thy revealed word be taught them by the Spirit, that they may teach others. Lead us into all Thy truth O Lord ; sanctify us by Thy truth — Thy word is truth.

We praise Thee, O our God, for the blessings of Thy providence and Thy grace ; for freedom from merited sufferings, and for the hope of eternal glory through Jesus. We praise Thee for a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. Bestow Thine ascension gifts on us, O merciful Lord Jesus Christ, and endue us with power from on high. Give faith to those who have it not ; increase that faith to those who possess it ; and may our lives be those of faith, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God.

Blessed Lord, Thou only knowest what trials and temptations may befall us this day. Keep us by Thine almighty power ; preserve us from temptations, if it be Thy will ; deliver us, if tempted. Enable us to keep in mind the hope of our calling ; and neither to say nor to do what may be inconsistent with our profession. We would live this day as though it were our last : strengthen us so to do. Let the power of the Spirit be felt by us, subduing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and bringing every thought, and word, and action, into captivity to Thee.

Father of mercies, hear our prayer, and let our crying come unto Thee. Be Thou our very present help this day, and in every time of need, for the sake of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.