Thursday Evening (Fourth Week)

MOST BLESSED LORD, Father of all mercies, Thou art from everlasting to everlasting GOD, the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Thou hast in Thy great goodness brought us again around the footstool of Thy Throne of Grace. During the past day many of our fellow-beings have gone into eternity;—we are spared! Thou hast been compassing our path—shielding us from manifold dangers, with unwearying watchfulness. None is so able, none is so willing as Thou art to befriend us in every danger, and guide us in every perplexity. We can experience no real blank, and mourn no real loss, if we have Thee. The LORD liveth, and blessed be our rock, and let the GOD of our salvation be exalted.

We desire this night to retire to rest, in the assured confidence that we have Thy favor resting upon us. Forgive all the sins of the past day—its sins of omission and commission, of thought and word and deed, whatever has been inconsistent with Thy pure and holy will. Let every day leave behind it the holy impression of some holy deeds;—make us more zealous for Thy honor and glory:—may we maintain a constant and habitual hatred of those sins which have so long severed us from Thee. As we are daily approaching nearer death, may we be better prepared for it. May we ever be near the brink of the atoning fountain—continually hid in the clefts of the Rock, that when the last mysterious summons shall come, our end may be peace.

Bless all who are in sickness and sorrow this night. Bind up their wounds. Let every wilderness-storm, and hurricane, drive them to lean more confidingly on the arm of “the Beloved.” May their trembling spirits repose on JESUS, and they shall be more than conquerors.

We pray for a whole world. Pity the nations that are sunk in heathen darkness. Hasten the Pentecostal effusion of the latter day. When the enemy is coming in like a flood, may the Spirit of GOD lift up a standard to resist him. Bless all Thy faithful missionaries. In lands where Christian sanctuaries are not, be Thou a little sanctuary to all Thy true servants—may they feel that the pleasure of the LORD is prospering in their hands—may they be the honored instruments in preparing many gems for Immanuel’s crown. Direct their hearts into Thy love, and into the patient waiting for CHRIST.

Bless our household, may it be one of the tabernacles of the righteous where the voice of joy and praise is often heard. [Bless parents and children, master and servants. May the joy of the LORD be our strength.] May we feel that in keeping Thy commandments there is a great reward.

As the pillar of cloud goes before us by day, may the unseen pillar of fire be with us by night. May angels gather around us during the unconscious hours of sleep— may no danger befall us, and no plague come nigh our dwelling. If pleased to spare us to see the light of another day, may we rise fitted and prepared for all the duties to which we may be called. And now unto Him who is alone able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultness before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, be ascribed all blessing, and honor, dominion and praise, world without end. Amen

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.