Tuesday Evening — Week 2

O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come. Lord, teach us to pray. We have reason to fear that the language of our lips and the feelings of our hearts, in our religious exercises, have not always agreed. We have frequently taken carelessly upon our tongues a name never pronounced above without the deepest reverence and humility. We have often desired things which would have proved our injury; and we have deprecated things which have proved some of our chief mercies. We have erred, both on the side of our hopes and fears; we are unfit to choose for ourselves; we are convinced that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. We know not what to pray for as we ought; let thy Spirit help our infirmities, and produce in us those views and dispositions which will lead us to ask according to thy will, and then we know Thou hearest us.

With regard to temporal blessings, may we never be importunate: may we always refer them to thy fatherly goodness; for thou knowest that we have need of these things before we ask Thee—but may we seek first in time and attention thy kingdom and righteousness. May we value things by their relation to eternity. May we never think we prosper, unless our souls prosper; that we are rich, unless we are rich toward God; that we are wise, unless we are made wise unto salvation. May our spiritual and everlasting welfare be our chief solicitude, and may we be conscious to ourselves, that we would rather be poor and afflicted and despised, if blessed with much of the life of God in our souls, than to be admired by our fellow-men, and be successful in our enterprises, and have more than heart can wish—if these things should prove the means of our forgetfulness of God.

Having found this world to be dreams and lies, vanity and vexation of spirit, may we arise and depart from it; may we seek our happiness in thy favor and image and presence and service. And though we are unworthy to be regarded by Thee, especially after we have so often refused Thee, receive us graciously; justify our persons; renovate our nature; and put thy laws into our minds and write them in our hearts; and be Thou to us a God, and may we be to Thee a people. Endear to us that Savior whose unexampled love led Him to suffer the just for the unjust, that He might bring us unto God. May we never dare to think of coming to Thee in any other way; but may we always have boldness and access with confidence, by the faith of Him: yea, may we joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement; and not only so, but may we glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope.

For, blessed be thy name, we live not in a fatherless world; nor are our minutest affairs forgotten before God. The hairs of our head are all numbered. Our losses and trials are not the effects of chance, but events in which thy wisdom and mercy are now concerned and will be hereafter displayed. We know that all things work together for good to them that love Thee: may our character, therefore, and not our condition, be the object of our anxiety. May we ascertain that our heart is right with Thee and be careful for nothing. Having given ourselves unto the Lord, may we remember that we have a right from thy holy word to depend upon Thee to provide for us and to manage all our concerns even to the end.

Discharged from the toil and torment of care, may we feel ourselves at liberty to enjoy the advantages and comforts of our condition in life, and above all to pursue our work as christians. May we be attentive to duty: may we inquire how we can best promote the welfare of the human race, and glorify Thee in our body and spirit. May holiness to the Lord be inscribed upon all our time and talents and substance. May the inquiry of our grateful hearts every moment be, What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?

Thou hast made the outgoings of another morning and evening to rejoice. Thou hast crowned the day with thy goodness. Let the night witness thy care and kindness: and may we enter on another portion of our time, not only under fresh obligations, but with new desires and resolutions to be for ever thine.