Week 4 Wednesday Evening Prayer

FATHER of all mercies, the author of our being, the source of our every hope and joy, and comfort, whose goodness has preserved us through another day, behold us here before Thee, this night, and enable us to worship Thee in Spirit and in truth.

We are conscious of manifold transgressions — of unnumbered sins. Thou art all love to us, and we are all ingratitude towards Thee. Look not at us, as we are stained with sin ; but look at us in the face of Thine anointed. We shelter ourselves behind the Saviour ; and putting on the Lord Jesus, we dare to come to Thee with boldness. We are now complete in Him. Hear us, speaking through the Saviour — our substitute ; and give to us all the blessings which we are allowed to ask in His name.

We would make farther confession of our sins, O Lord. We have erred and strayed from Thee like lost sheep, having no will of our own to return. We have tried the pleasures of the world, and found them wanting ; we acknowledge that we have never enjoyed an hour's peace in the way of sin. O Thou much offended and much insulted Father, we turn unto Thee. Thou mightest justly spurn us from Thy presence, to reap the fruit of our deserving. But Thou art God, and not man, therefore we are not consumed — therefore have we hope — therefore do we now return to Thee, and say, Enter not into judgment with Thy servants, O Lord ; pardon all iniquity, and receive us graciously, for the sake of Thy beloved Son. O our God, we disclaim every idea of acceptance now or ever, except through the blood of the Lord Jesus. No merits — no righteousness— no goodness have we to plead : we cling to the cross of Jesus, as our only refuge from the wrath to come.

And now, Lord, while we praise and bless Thee for what Thou hast done, we would say unto Thee, " What wouldst Thou have us to do ? Make Thy way plain before our face. Open Thou our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of Thy law. With our whole hearts do we seek Thee : oh, let us not wander from Thy commandments."

And, O our God, hear us, while we still farther implore of Thee to grant us the Holy Spirit, to subdue sin in our flesh. Sanctify us by the Spirit. Guide us by the Spirit. Fill us with the Spirit. May the Spirit lead us into all truth ; and strengthen us to follow what we have been taught to approve. Oh, for the Spirit, in power, that we may have power over the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Rule our rulers, we pray Thee, O Lord ; govern our governors, and give our senators that wisdom that cometh from Thee, that all their consultations may tend to the advancement of Thy glory and the good of Thy Church. May Thy Spirit rule in all their hearts ; and may Thy word be the rule of all their actions. Oh, protect us ever from unholy laws ; and defend us from the evil of unfaithful governors.

To Thy protection we this night commend ourselves, O Lord. Keep us in safety both of body and soul, and seal us with the Holy Ghost, unto the day of redemption, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.