Creation's Beauty and Compassionate Service

O THOU, who hast created all things, and for whose glory they are and were created! We thank thee for the beauty of This world, for the glory of leaf and flower, for the majesty and mystery of the stars, for the singing of the birds, for the splendours of dawn and sunset, for the ever-changing wonders of summer and winter. Through these symbols of Thee grant that we may rise to Thee and be possessed by Thee. Glorious as are Thy manifestations in Nature, Thou art Thyself more glorious by far. Thy greatness none can comprehend; Thy purity makes the Heavens unclean; Thy power in Nature, as in spirit, reaches beyond our utmost imaginings. Awe us by Thy holiness, subdue us by Thy majesty, yet, in the tenderness of Thy grace, cause us to stand before Thee confident and unashamed. And then, O Lord, when we hear Thy voice saying, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" our hearts will make reply, "Here are we, Lord, send us." In Thy mercy, deliver us from egotism and self-centred thought, by the power of a great pity for the poor and needy, for Thy children everywhere who long to be understood, and who crave in the darkness for a brother's hand. Bow our wills to the law of sacrifice, so that we may share the burdens of others and freely yield of what we have received. Enable us to see good in every man, and to search for it earnestly. Henceforth may we know no man after the flesh, but after the spirit; may we judge no man by his weak or vicious moments, but by the best that is in him, by the deepest desires that here find no true fulfilment.

Give us simplicity and directness in all our dealings with our fellows. Fill us with a horror of all meanness and hard-heartedness. May the appeal of wretchedness never knock at our hearts in vain, nor the cry of the wronged or oppressed be powerless to rouse us to righteous indignation. Awaken us from our spiritual slumbers and teach us the holy joy of service in Thy name. Reveal to us the glory of our vocation, the glory of battling with wrong, of helping the weak, of blessing the sinful, of shaping a character that cannot die. Banish from our hearts all despair and doubt and hesitation, and send us forth into the sunshine cleansed and purified and gladdened. May we radiate Thy love alike to the good and the bad, the just and the unjust. We ascribe unto Thee all praise and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.