Week 4 Sunday Morning Prayer

O ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, who hast so loved a guilty world as to give Thy Son Jesus Christ to die upon the cross for its sin, we draw near to Thee through Him, and implore acceptance for the Saviour's sake.

We give Thee thanks, O eternal Jehovah, for the blessing of another Sabbath ; that we are called from earthly cares to spend this day with Thee. A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. But, O Lord, we have spent many Sabbaths without any enjoyment of Thee. We have satisfied ourselves with the form, while destitute of the power of godliness. We have made confession of sins, for which we never mourned, and made promises of amendment, which we never kept. We desire that the time past of our lives may suffice us to have wrought such folly and deceit. We know, Lord, that we cannot enjoy an eternal Sabbath, unless Thy Sabbaths on earth be the joy of our heart. We therefore pray most earnestly that Thou wilt send into our hearts the Holy Spirit, that we may see Thee and enjoy Thee in all the ordinances of this day. Let all Thy goodness pass before us, that we may be led to admire the wonders of Thy love. Make us hate the sins that caused the sufferings of the Saviour, and adore the love which carried Him through them all. O blessed Jesus, as Thou didst die, cause sin to die in us ; as Thou didst rise from death, so make us rise to newness of life ; and as Thou dost employ Thy risen life to the glory of the Father, so make us feel that being bought with a price, we are no longer our own, but should glorify Thee with our bodies and our spirits, which are Thine. We would make a solemn surrender of ourselves to Thee this day, to be and to do all that Thou dost wish.

Be with us while we attend Thy house of prayer. Solemnize our hearts with a sense of Thy presence, and gladden our hearts with the manifestation of Thy love. Remove from us all wandering of mind and levity of spirit. Let us not do our own ways, nor find our own pleasure, nor speak our own words, on this Thy holy day ; but make it our care to imitate on earth what we hope to enjoy with Thee in heaven. Meet us in private prayer, and enable us to employ part of this day in self-examination and study of thy Holy Word. If we are employed for the benefit of others, may we remember that thy Spirit alone can bless our labors ; and for that, let us be diligent in prayer. Prepare our hearts to receive the seed of heavenly truth ; and may none of us harden those hearts against the convictions of conscience.

We beseech Thee to bless Thy servants who are commissioned by Thee to preach Thy truth this day. Teach them, that they may teach others. May they not trust to the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Cause many to know that Thy Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, by leading them to believe its precious truths. May the Holy Spirit so accompany the word preached, that this may be a day of rejoicing to many, by loosing their spiritual bonds, enlightening their spiritual darkness, removing their unbelieving fears, and manifesting Jesus in the beauty of holiness.

Most gracious Lord, who hast bestowed upon us the unspeakable gift of the Gospel of Christ, we would remember before Thee those heathen nations who now sit in that darkness which once enveloped our land. O Lord, have mercy upon them. And whilst Thy Gospel is a witness among all nations, may it be the power of God to the salvation of many who hear it. Get glory to Thyself by the conversion of sinners ; and add unto Thy Church daily from among the Gentiles such as should be saved.

Lord of the Sabbath, hear our prayers, and may this Sabbath be to us a foretaste of eternal rest, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.