Week 4 Thursday Morning Prayer

O EVER BLESSED LORD, who art good and gracious to unthankful sinners ; who dost not measure Thy blessings by our deservings, but, according to the multitude of Thy mercies, dost give us all things that pertain to life and godliness : hear us, while in the name of Jesus we present ourselves before Thee, this morning, to draw out of the fulness that is treasured up in Him all needful strength for the wants of this day.

Lord, we are poor and miserable, and weak, and helpless creatures. We have no sufficiency of our own ; no, not even to think a good thought. Our sufficiency is all of Christ. We praise Thee, blessed Saviour, that what we are not, Thou art for us ; that what we have not, Thou hast for us ; that while we are nothing, we are complete in Thee.

O our God, give us the Spirit to open to us the treasures of Thy holy word — to unfold to us the glories of the Saviour — to reveal to us that which the natural eye cannot see, and the natural mind cannot understand. Give us the Spirit to see Christ — to know Christ — to enjoy Christ — to live upon Christ. Give us the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. Our souls are athirst for Thee, the living God. Oh, satisfy us with Thyself, and make us feel, from happy experience, that Thou art a satisfying portion.

We know, blessed Lord, because Thou hast said it, that Thy ways are pleasantness, and all Thy paths are peace. But we wish to know it more from our own enjoyment. We wish to be so dead to the world, and crucified to the things of the world, that we may ever walk in those ways of pleasantness, and follow those paths of peace. Direct our steps, we pray Thee. May the Spirit's brightness dispel the darkness of our minds, and light our way to the fulness of the glory of Jesus. O Thou who hast said, " Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," receive us who throw ourselves upon that promise, and come unto Thee now for the Spirit to rest from sin, and to rest in Thee. Do Thou render us, and our services, acceptable unto the Father ; and cause us to know that all power in heaven and earth is given unto Thee, by bestowing upon us the power of the Spirit which Thou hast received for the Church.

And, O Lord, have pity upon Thy Church ; endow her with the Holy Ghost ; and send forth the Spirit, to lead Thy servants into all truth. Oh, may Thy people again be of one mind, and one spirit, striving together for the faith of the Gospel. We acknowledge that too many seek their own things, and not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Revive the spirit of Christian love amongst us. Clothe Thy members with the garments of holiness ; and cause them to hold forth the word of life — to shine as lights in the world.

Visit the dark places of the earth with Thy salvation. Direct the hearts of Thy faithful servants to preach Thy truth, in the love of it, to those who are sitting in the shadow of death. Gather in the number of Thine elect, and hasten Thy kingdom, O Lord, when Thy will shall be done on earth, as now it is done in heaven.

Accept our praises, O Lord, for unnumbered mercies. Praise be to Thee for food, for raiment, for health, and strength. Praise be to Thee for freedom from bodily suffering. Praise be to Thee, that we are not with those who are delivered to chains of darkness, reserved unto the judgment of the great day. Praise be to Thee for the unspeakable gift of thy Son, Jesus.

Crown all Thy mercies, we beseech Thee, with the gift of the Spirit, enabling us to value and enjoy the Saviour. And to Thyself, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be all praise ascribed by us on earth, as by all in heaven, for ever.