Sunday Morning (Second Week)

MOST gracious GOD, who hast in Thy good providence again permitted us to see the light of Thy Holy Sabbath—do Thou draw near to us in Thy great mercy. Thou hast dispersed the darkness of another natural night, may the Sun of Righteousness arise upon us with healing in His beams. May our fellowship this day, be with the Father and with His Son JESUS CHRIST. May all sinful and unworthy thoughts be repressed. May the world be excluded, that we may be alone with GOD.

We thank Thee for the stated return of this season of holy calm when away from the feverish anxieties of earth, we may give heed to the things which concern our everlasting peace. In the shadow of Thy wings we would rejoice!

We bless Thee for the great truth which this day, more especially commemorates, that JESUS has burst the bands of the grave and triumphed over principalities and powers. The LORD is risen! He hath satisfied all the demands of GOD’S holy law, finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in an everlasting. righteousness. The LORD is risen! He hath fully vanquished all our foes, Satan’s power is overthrown, and the kingdom of heaven is opened to all believers. May we be enabled this day, to rise by faith with our risen LORD, and walk with Him in newness of life.

We take refuge anew, at the foot of the cross. Guilty, weak, worthless, perishing, we come to Him who is “ the guiltless One,” bringing infinite unworthiness to infinite merit and all sufficiency. Wash us, Oh wash us, blessed Saviour, in the fountain of Thy blood. May Thy grace bring us and keep us nearer Thee. Nothing in our selves, may we possess all things in JESUS. Self-abased, and self-emptied, may we be “ complete in Him.”

Let us cleave unto Him with full purpose of heart. Let there be no halting between two opinions. Let us ever bear about with us the recollection that time is short. Let us live as if this Sabbath were to be our last. May a sacred spirit pervade all its services. Let the gleanings of the Sabbath form the food of our souls during the week. May something that we shall hear this day come home with power to our hearts, and form a hallowed preservative against the world’s snares, and dangers, and temptations.

We pray for those who dishonor Thy Sabbaths, and profane Thy holy name, who reject the offers of Thy grace, and continue in alienation and sin. Ere the door of mercy is forever shut, do Thou turn them from their wickedness, point them to JESUS, and show them that “ neither is there salvation in any other.” Unfold to them the fearfulness of meeting Thee as they are, unpardoned and unreconciled. Let them know the preciousness of that precious assurance, “ He is able to save unto the uttermost.”

Thou GOD of all consolation, draw near to the afflicted. Abundantly sanctify Thy dealings. Stay Thy rough wind in the day of Thy east wind. May this thought silence every murmur, “ He that spared not His own Son, but freely gave Him up unto death for us all, how shall He not with Him also, freely give us all things.”

GOD of Bethel, do Thou bless all related to us by endearing bonds of earthly affection. May they evermore have affiance in Thee. Shepherd of Israel! Thou who leadest Joseph like a flock, may they be safe under Thy tender guidance, and repose in Thy love. [Bless our children, pour Thy rich grace into their hearts. Let them not fall a prey to the allurements and enticements of a present evil world, but may they walk as seeing Thee, who art invisible.]

Let Thy mercy, O GOD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee ; and when our Sabbaths on earth are ended, may ours, at last, be an unending Sabbath in Thy presence and favor. And all that we ask is in the name and for the sake of Him whom Thou hearest always, and to whom with Thee the Father, and Thee, O Eternal Spirit, one GOD, be ascribed all blessing and honor, and glory and praise, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.