God's Nearness in Darkness

O GOD, in whom we live and move and have our being, make us to feel Thy presence, as we would lift here a voice of penitence and prayer. We are not always conscious of Thy closeness to us. In the misery of bereavement, or the sadness of a wronged affection, or in the loneliness of depression which comes we know not how, and envelops the soul with thick clouds, we are forced to cry; "O that I knew where I might find him! Behold I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him!" But now would we see Thee in all the glory of Thine overflowing mercy; now would we know Thee as the inmost Treasure of our hearts, the never-failing Light in the darkness and mystery of our little lives.

Father of mercies! We thank Thee for all that Thou art to us. We cannot understand the greatness of Thy grace that Thou shouldst rejoice in us and love to hold converse with us. We can only adore Thee and praise Thee for Thy goodness and Thy marvellous loving kindness. Thou art our King, and therefore the laws and ways of Thy Kingdom safeguard our happiness. Thou art our Shepherd, and dost lead us by the green pastures and the still waters of Thy grace. Thou art our Father, whose infinite tenderness bears all our sickness and carries all our sorrows. Thou art our Companion, therefore we will fear no evil, though we should walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Thy goodness leadeth us to repentance. We confess with shame that we have not been pure and true. Instead of overcoming evil, we have too often been overcome by it. We have forgotten the holy calling wherewith Thou hast called us, and turned back to the flesh-pots of the world. The powers of the unseen have been manifested around us, all the ineffable grace of the Godhead hath dwelt among us in the person of Thy Son Jesus Christ, — and we are still irresolute, still uncommitted to the perfect life, still unable to make the great resolve. O God, have pity upon us. Put within us a spirit of penitence and of faith, that the bands which bind us may melt away and nothing shall be impossible unto us. Take from us the intolerable burden of conscious guilt, that we may step forth into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Crown us kings and priests unto Thee, our God, victorious over the discouragements that beset us, pledged to no ambition save that of loving Thee and of helping our brothers in sincerity and simplicity. Grant that we may commend our religion to others by our joyous demeanour, our courage under trials, our self-restraint under provocation, our patience under misfortune and disappointment. Thus may we, as far as in us lies, spread the knowledge of the good news of Thy Kingdom, and attract others into it with the glad invitation — "O sad and disconsolate, weary and heavy-laden ones, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord!" These blessings we beseech Thee to give us for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.