Wednesday Evening (Third Week)

MOST BLESSED GOD, we desire to come into Thy sacred presence on this the close of another day. Let our prayer come before Thee as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Enable us to have a realizing view of Thy glory and Divine Majesty. Praise be to Thy holy name, that though the infinitude of Heaven be Thy dwelling-place, Thou condescendest to make every lowly heart of Thy people Thy habitation. Though Thou art the greatest of all Beings, Thou art the kindest of all, and the best of all.

We come weak and helpless and burdened to that cross where alone there is shelter and peace for the guilty. We will not cloak nor dissemble our manifold sins and wickedness before the face of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, but we would confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart. It is our comfort to know that we have a sure refuge to which we can at all times repair.

Blessed JESUS, there is in Thee all that is required to meet our wants and difficulties, our perplexities and sins. We rejoice to think of Thee as Thou now art, the unchanging, unaltered, and unalterable Elder Brother. Thou hast all the might of infinite Godhead—Thou hast all the tenderness and pity of compassionate man. May it be ours to love and serve Thee now, that we may not be ashamed before Thee at Thy coming. May Thy love exercise a paramount influence over us. Let us show that we are Christians—living Epistles known and read of all men. Let us be gentle, kind, and forgiving. Let us not be betrayed into anger or uncharitableness. Let there be no hard construction of Thy dealings—no murmurings under Thy rod. Let patience have its perfect work; willing to do all and to bear all for the sake of Him who hath done and borne so much for us. Let us be duty-doing Christians—active in Thy service, feeling that all have a work to do, and that we have but a brief time to do it. Give us a solemn sense of responsibility for every talent committed to our trust. Let us feel that they are not given merely to be enjoyed by us, but to be employed for Thee. Alive to our stewardship, may we lay them out for Thy glory and for our own and our neighbor’s good, that when Thou comest Thou mayest receive Thine own with usury.

Bless all our beloved friends; remember them with that favor which Thou bearest to Thine own;—wherever they are, may they never set up their altar to an unknown GOD—may they know the true blessedness of life when spent in thy service. We pray for all poor afflicted ones. Ease their burdens—soothe their sorrows—dry their tears—enable them meekly to repose in Thy covenant faithfulness and love.

How often dost Thou send tempest and storm to lighten the ship, and conduct it in safety to its desired haven. Let us be afraid of no wind and no storm which brings us nearer Thyself.

And now LORD, what wait we for, our hope is in Thee. Most graciously answer us, not according to our own wishes, (often erring, often sinful,) but according as Thou seest it would be well for us, and no more. We are poor and needy, yet the LORD thinketh upon us. Make no tarrying, O our GOD.

Guard us through the night—defend us by Thy mighty power. Whether we wake or sleep may we be Thine. And all we ask is for JESUS’ sake. Amen.