Morning of a Communion Sabbath

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, we bless Thee for the return of another day of the Son of Man. Pour out upon us a double portion of Thy grace :— fill our hearts with Thy love. May all vain, and wandering, and sinful thoughts be repressed; may our communion and fellowship this day be with the Father and with his Son JESUS CHRIST.

We bless Thee, O most gracious LORD, for the prospect we have of anew commemorating the dying love of our risen and exalted Redeemer—of surrounding once more the table in the wilderness, and partaking of the bread of everlasting life. Give to each of us the “ wedding garment.” Let us prepare to meet our GOD. May we feel that the place whereon we are to stand is holy ground. May we rejoice at the renewed opportunity of testifying in the presence of angels and men our unaltered and unalterable attachment to our blessed LORD and Master. In a strength greater than our own may we be enabled to resolve that He will be henceforth ours only—ours wholly—ours forever.

Give us this day quickening apprehensions of the great love wherewith He hath loved us: may we see, in some feeble measure, into its depths. May these dead and lukewarm souls of ours be quickened into newness of life. May our faith be invigorated, and our love deepened, and our graces strengthened. May this be the grateful aspiration of all our hearts— “ What shall we render unto the LORD, for all His benefits towards us. We will take the cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the LORD; we will pay our vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people.”

We pray for all who are to break along with us this day the bread of life. Give to each of them some special token of Thy covenant love. May they see the King in His beauty. May their experience be— “ It was good for us to draw near unto GOD.” Keep back all presumptuous and unworthy guests. Encourage all misgiving, trembling, faint-hearted ones. While feeling their own unworthiness may they remember they go to commemorate the infinite worthiness of Him who is all-worthy. May they hear Thy voice of encouragement saying “ fear not, for I know that ye seek JESUS who was crucified.”

Go forth this day everywhere with the preaching of Thy holy gospel. May wanderers be reclaimed; may mourners be comforted; may saints be edified; may Thy name be glorified. Stand by Thy ministering servants:—may they hide themselves behind their LORD, pointing away from the excellency of their own speech and their own wisdom to Him, who alone by the attractive power of His Cross, can draw all men unto Him. We commend to Thy paternal keeping our beloved friends. May they be among the number of Thy sealed ones. Sanctify them in body, soul, and spirit, that they may at last be presented faultless and unblamable before Thy dear Son, at His appearing and His kingdom. Bless this household ; masters and servants [parents and children]. Let us all at last sit down one united and undivided family with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, at the better feast of communion in Thy heavenly kingdom. And all that we ask is for the sake of Him, in whose most precious words we would farther say—

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c