Monday Morning — Week 1

O thou God of all grace; the Father of mercies; the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble. Why hast Thou revealed Thyself in such lovely characters and endearing relations, but to meet our dejections, to remove our fears, and induce us to say, It is good for me to draw nigh to God!

We come to Thee as criminals to be pardoned, as beggars to obtain relief, and as friends to enjoy communion with the God of love. We bow with submission and gratitude to the method which Thou hast appointed and made known for all intercourse between Thee and us. We approach Thee through him in whom Thou hast proclaimed Thyself well pleased, pleading the propitiation of his blood, and making mention of his righteousness, and of his only.

But we can have access to Thee through him only—by one Spirit—that Spirit, the residue of which is with Thee, and which has actuated the souls of thy people in all ages. O give thy Holy Spirit to them that now ask Thee. May He open the eyes of our understanding, and convince us of sin. May He humble the pride of our self-righteous hearts, and expel us from every refuge of lies. May He glorify Christ in our wants, desires, dependence, and application; and take of the things of Christ and show them to us. May we be enabled to receive the Lord Jesus in all his blessings and influences; and though now we see Him not, yet believing, may we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. In all the distresses of conscience, in all the afflictions of life, and in all the dissatisfactions necessarily experienced in creature-enjoyments, may we repair, weary and heavy laden, to Him who has promised to give us rest. May the vanity of the world wean us from its pursuits; and may the tribulation of the world endear the peace which no storm can either prevent or destroy!

May we arise and depart hence; may we confess ourselves to be only strangers and pilgrims upon earth; and declare plainly—too plainly to be misunderstood, that we seek a better country, even an heavenly. Prepare us for all the allotments of this short, and changing, and uncertain life. May we have a safe passage out of it, and a comfortable passage through it, and a useful residence in it. May we continually illustrate in our character and conduct, the representations Thou hast given of thy people, as the dew of heaven, the salt of the earth, the light of the world. May we never deem it enough to be blameless and harmless; but may our light so shine before men that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven. May we never be ashamed of Jesus, nor of his words; never be deterred from the prosecution of a known duty by the fear of man; and never be discouraged from attempting it by a consciousness of our own weakness. Having thy sanction and presence, may we be strong and courageous; and be stedfast and unmovable; always abounding in the work of the Lord.

What we know not, teach Thou us. Lead us into all truth. May we see divine things in a divine light, that while they inform our judgment, they may sanctify the heart, and consecrate the whole life to the service and glory of God. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou us from secret faults. Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting.

Accept of our united thanksgivings for the preservation and refreshment of the past night; and take us under thy guiding and guardian care this day; and whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, may we do all to the glory of God, through our Lord and Saviour. Amen.