Prayer for a Day of Humiliation

ALMIGHTY AND MOST MERCIFUL GOD, Thou art glorious in holiness, faithful in praises, continually doing wonders. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity ;—Thou canst not look upon sin but with abhorrence. Do Thou pour out upon us this day the spirit of grace and of supplication—the spirit of humility and deep abasement. In self-renouncing lowliness we desire to take the publican’s place and cry out, “ unclean, unclean!—GOD be merciful unto us sinners!”

Father ! we have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight, we are no more worthy to be called Thy children. Our sins have reached unto the clouds : they are sins of deep aggravation—they have been committed against manifold privileges, solemn warnings, earnest entreaties, innumerable mercies. The kindness of the best earthly friend has been nothing to Thine. Morning and evening have had the same testimony to bear of unmerited patience, and condescension, and love,—and yet our hearts have been ungrateful and unthankful. They have been mercies abused—warnings slighted—providences unsanctified.

We acknowledge our sins as individuals. Our hearts have been estranged from Thee : —we have been lovers of pleasure more than lovers of GOD. Divine things have not been ever using a paramount influence over us. We have been living for earth— seeking our chief good short of Thyself, the only soul-satisfying portion. Our love has been cold—our faith weak—our graces languid—our services polluted : self and sin have mingled with our best attempts to glorify Thee. We have not been exercising a holy jealousy over ourselves. We have been guilty of envy and jealousy— we have harbored unkind suspicions of others—we have not had that charity which hopeth all things, and believeth all things, and endureth all things. In prosperity we have been unmindful of the author of our mercies. In adversity we have been tempted to give way to hard thoughts and unrighteous surmises about the faithfulness and rectitude of Thy dealings.

We acknowledge our sins as families. We have not been exhibiting a holy consistency of walk and conversation—we have not been declaring before the world that as for us and our house we will serve the LORD. Thy word has not been prized as it ought. The flame of love and devotion has not burned brightly on the domestic altar as it ought. The leaven of vital godliness has not been pervading with its hallowed influences our family engagements, and occupations, and duties. We have not done what we might have done for Thee—we have been more set on selfish and worldly schemes and objects, than in devising measures for the promotion of Thy glory and the good of our fellow men. The religion professed by the lip has not been verified and exemplified by holy and devout practice.

We confess our sins as a church and as a nation. LORD, Thou hast filled our cup with mercies—Thou hast dealt with us as Thou hast not dealt with any other people. But, alas! have we not abused our privileges? We mourn and blush to think of the vice and profligacy—the intemperance and ungodliness which is rising up in terrible memorial against our highly-favored land. We mourn our desecrated Sabbaths, and deserted sanctuaries, and unread Bibles ; —we mourn the eye service and the lip homage which, too often among Thy professing people, takes the place of heart and soul’s consecration ;—we mourn the little we have done, the much we have left undone, to promote Thy cause in the world.

Father, forgive us these our many and heinous offences—humble us in the dust because of all our unworthiness. Give us grace this day, while we mourn the past, humbly, but earnestly, to resolve to live more devotedly to Thee in the future. Accept of our unworthy confessions for JESUS’ sake. Sprinkle these guilty hearts with his precious blood. Let us seek in all time to come to walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness of life to the glory of Thy name.

We commend ourselves and all belonging to us to Thy care and keeping—never leave and never forsake us ; and all that we ask or hope for, is in the name and for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, our blessed LORD and SAVIOUR. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.