Week 4 Monday Morning Prayer

O MERCIFUL GOD, who hast promised that where two or three meet together in Thy name, there Thou wilt be in the midst of them, fulfil that promise to us, Thy waiting people, who come to worship Thee this morning, in the name of Jesus.

Another day Thou hast added to our lives, and dost call upon us to show whether we will be doers of the word which we heard upon the past Sabbath, or whether we have been but forgetful hearers. Lord, the desire of our hearts is to follow Thee fully. But we need more power than we can command. We are surrounded by temptations, and our own evil heart is the worst of our foes. We implore of Thee to take pity on us, and to send the Holy Ghost, to confirm us in the love and practice of godliness.

O blessed Lord, leave us not to walk alone this day through the dangers by which we are beset, but be Thou with us, that we may lean upon the arm of our beloved. Fill us with such love to Thee as will enable us to brave the scorn or persecution of the world, in following Thy holy will ; and teach us to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Our business in life is to live to Thy glory. While others, who know Thee not, are careful and troubled about many things, may the one thing needful occupy the first place in our hearts this day. Set a watch, O Lord, before our lips, that we offend not with our tongue. Put away from us, not only evil speaking, lying, and slandering, but remove all levity of speech, of manner, or of thought. Give to us that spiritual mind which is life and peace ; and may our care this day be, to maintain communion with Thee at any sacrifice.

Make us not only true and just in all our dealings, but may we, after the command of Jesus, be willing to suffer wrong or take reproach, rather than break a bond of peace or charity. Enable us to improve every opportunity of usefulness that may occur, either by relieving the needy, though by doing so we need to deny ourselves ; or by speaking a word in season, though we may be exposed to reproach for our zeal. Grant us, O blessed Jesus, so to live upon Thee, to feed upon Thee, to enjoy the prospect of being with Thee in glory, that we may not be anxious for the possession of those worldly things which are the objects of the world's ambition. Be Thou our portion, and we shall be therewith content, take what Thou mayest away.

Have pity, O Lord, upon all who are in want and wretchedness. While we are in the enjoyment of plenty, give us a heart to feel for those who suffer from hunger and nakedness ; and never let us waste on luxury or vanity, what might relieve the miseries of numbers in our land. Teach us to do to others what we would wish to have done to ourselves.

And now, gracious Lord, we pray Thee to be with us through the whole of this day. May we take nothing in hand but what is warranted by Thy will and word, and may all we undertake for Thy glory prosper. For Thee we would labor, for Thee we would suffer shame. Grant to us the light of Thy countenance, and all will be well. Now, to God only wise, be glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.