Sunday Morning — Week 2

O Thou King eternal, immortal, invisible, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, and whom no man hath seen or can see. Thou art incomprehensible, and the highest archangel cannot find Thee out unto perfection. Yet Thou hast been pleased to reveal thyself, and by means of thy word we behold Thee in every character and relation that can suit our necessities, or encourage our hope. Thy throne is in the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all; and all nations before Thee are as nothing; yet Thou condescendest to regard the things that are done in the earth, and despisest not the prayer even of the destitute. Thou art exalted above all blessing and praise: our goodness extendeth not to Thee—but unless thine be extended to us, we are undone for ever. Without Thee we can do nothing; we are nothing. In Thee we live and move and have our being. The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. We are universally indigent and dependent; but as Thou art able, so Thou art willing to take the charge of us: and here we are the living to praise Thee, and to acknowledge that goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives.

We bless Thee that Thou has regarded our souls as well as our bodies, and no less provided for our future interests than our present. When there was no eye to pity us, Thou didst remember us in our low estate: and when there was no arm to rescue, Thou wast pleased to lay help on one that is mighty. Thou hast sent thy own Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. To Him may we turn our believing regards and find in Him the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, which as perishing sinners we need. In all our approaches to Thee may we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. May we know that He has borne our grief and carried our sorrow; and be able to rejoice in Him as our sacrifice, our sympathizing friend, our almighty helper, and our lovely example. May we drink into his spirit. May we transcribe the excellencies of his character into our own. May we place our feet in the very prints of his steps, and follow Him in the regeneration, till we shall be perfectly like Him, and see Him as He is.

We desire to acknowledge Thee in the dispensations of thy providence; and to own thy agency in all the events that befal us; whether pleasing or painful. Thou hast a right to govern us; and Thou knowest what will best advance our welfare. May we commit our way unto the Lord, and be able to say at thy footstool in unfeigned submission, Here I am, let Him do what seemeth Him good. If darkness veil thy dealings with us, may we trust and not be afraid; believing that what we know not now we shall know hereafter, and that the development of thy conduct will issue in perfect satisfaction and praise.

We bless Thee for the institutions of religion, in the use of which Thou hast promised to draw near to those who draw near to Thee. We rejoice in another of the days of the Son of man. May we call off our minds from the cares of the world, and attend upon the Lord without distraction. Quicken and elevate our souls, that rising above the formality of devotion, we may come even to thy seat, and enjoy a little of the blessedness of those that have entered the temple above, and are singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. We are going to assemble in the house of prayer—pour upon us the spirit of grace and of supplication, and rank us in the number of those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are going to the house of praise—awaken in us every grateful and cheerful emotion, and may we speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts unto the Lord. We are repairing to the house of instruction—enable us to receive the kingdom of God as a little child. Teach us of thy ways. Lead us into all truth. And let us be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For this purpose, let thy presence go with us; and let thy word come to us, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Bless all the churches of the faithful, and the ministers of the everlasting gospel, of every name, and of every nation. Clothe thy priests with salvation, and let thy saints shout aloud for joy. Remember our country in all its lawful interests, domestic and foreign. Bless the President of the United States, and all that are in authority. May they rule in thy fear, and be guided by thy counsel; and may the people lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. Establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.