God's Presence in Creation and Conscience

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we adore Thee as the God of light and power. Shine through the clouds that dim our vision. Strengthen our weak hearts, that we may love Thee and serve Thee in freedom and gladness. This world, which Thou hast committed to us, is radiant with Thy presence. Go where we will, we cannot flee from Thy Spirit, that speaks to us in the calm and order and beauty of Nature. For in our souls Thou dwellest, and openest our eyes to read Thy thought in sun and star, in field and flower. We bless Thee that Nature does not exhaust the fulness of Thy being. We rejoice that, in the fight with temptation, we are not alone, for Thou art our secret Helper. We praise Thee that in all our affliction Thou art afflicted, that in every sorrow or disappointment or failure Thou dost not give us over to our weak repining, but dost summon us to self-knowledge and to peace. O God, our life kindles beneath Thy touch. We know that Thou art ours when the conscience awakens us to long-neglected duties and the sad disorder of our souls; when repentance lays us in the dust and aspiration bears us, as with wings, above sin, despair and death. And such value hast Thou set upon us, that to make us Thine, Thou hast given us the Christ, the Anointed One. In Him we understand Thy purpose concerning us. In Him Thou hast bestowed upon us all we had not dared to hope for. He has been made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. He is the fulfilment of our past, the prophecy of better things to come. He is the rock beneath our feet, the hope within our souls. O that He would enter into our hearts afresh! That He might become the life of all our thoughts and the inspiration of all our service!

Bless us now, O Lord, as we are gathered in Thy presence. Give us thankful hearts for Thy unwearied mercies; for a father's and a mother's love; for the friendships which gladden our days; for means of growth in knowledge and virtue; for work, and for the strength with which to do it. Take from us all foolish fears, all sinful discontent. Fill our hearts with the sunshine of Thy love, so that we may give freely to all men of what we have and of what we are. These prayers we offer in Christ's name. Amen.