Monday Evening (Second Week)

MOST GRACIOUS GOD, Father of all mercies, GOD of our salvation, we desire this evening to approach the footstool of Thy Throne of Grace. We would end another day of mercy with the tribute of grateful hearts. What shall we render unto Thee for all Thy benefits ? Never for a solitary moment hast Thou withdrawn from us Thy hand of love. We may well have no anxious thought about the morrow, when we have such a GOD on whom to cast “ all our cares,” and who has given us in the past so many wondrous proofs that “ He careth for us !”

We desire anew to cast ourselves on the merits and righteousness of Thy dear Son. May this be the history of each of us, “ the Chief of Sinners, but I obtained mercy !” That mercy has been bestowed on guilty thousands, and it is still free to us. We take refuge in the unchanging assurance that “ He is able to save unto the uttermost.”

O LORD, take these hearts of ours and make them Thine. May our inmost thoughts, and desires, and purposes, be dedicated to Thy glory. May we be living as the expectants of immortality, walking worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, being fruitful in every good word and work. May our time and talents be laid out for Thee, that when our LORD cometh He may receive His own with usury.

Bless all the family of the afflicted. The God of all consolation, bind up their wounds. Keep them from a hasty spirit, under dark dispensations. Let them know and believe that infinite love is in all Thine arrangements, that finite wisdom has no place in Thy dealings, that He with whom they have to do, cannot do wrong. LORD, give us all this lowly spirit of submission to Thy will. Whether Thou chasten us, or gladden us, whether prosperity or adversity be our portion, oh bring us nearer Thee. May Thy dealings serve to trim the lamp of faith and keep it brightly burning.

Extend Thy covering wings over all whom we love. May none of our friends be unbefriended by Thee. Bless our own immediate household—sprinkle its lintels with the blood of Jesus. [Write the names of servants and of children in the Lamb’s book of life.] May we all at last be included in the closing invitation to His church, “ Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world !” Soon the tale of life will be told. Oh that we might all be living in the joyful expectancy of a better life. May our lives now be hid with CHRIST in GOD, that when CHRIST, who is our life, shall appear, we may also appear with Him in glory.

Watch Thou over us during the unconscious hours of sleep. May we close our eyes at peace with thee, and awake refreshed and invigorated for the duties of a new day.

Hear these our unworthy petitions, and when Thou hearest, forgive, and grant us an answer in peace, for the Redeemer’s sake. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c