Evening Prayer on Saturday

When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. O loving and gracious God! The day draws to a close, and with it the week; but Thy mercy endureth forever. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but Thy kindness shall not depart from Thy children. O God, Thy kindness has permitted me to live through another week. What I did not know at the beginning of the week, I know now: that I should be permitted to reach its end in safety. Manifold have been Thy mercies to me during the past week: Thou hast heard my prayers, preserved me, counseled me, and guarded me. Not a day passed by in which I did not receive tokens of Thy love and grace; not an hour elapsed in which Thou didst not pour out streams of mercy upon me. What I wished at the beginning of the week has now come to pass. O what grace and love and mercy are Thine!

But today, at the end of this week, I also think of my sins. Many have been my transgressions in thought and wish and desire, by commission and omission. I have not cared for my soul as faithfully as I should, nor devoted to Thee as many hours as I ought. O Lord, Lord, forgive me all my sins. O Lord Jesus, blot out with Thy precious blood this week’s entire account of sin, and let it remain forgiven and forgotten forever. O Lord, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. Be Thou a pillar of fire around me tonight. Let no harm or misfortune or peril touch me or mine. Help me to cast all my care upon Thee, and, with the assurance that Thou carest for me, let me sleep in peace.

I have now become a week older, and have advanced one step nearer to eternity. The end of this week reminds me of the end of my life. The last week, the last day, and the last hour of my life will come, and then the long eternity! O help me so to spend each future week and day and hour, that I need not tremble before Thy face. Help me daily to set my heart on those things which I desire to possess eternally. I am but a stranger and a sojourner here on earth; my home and my eternal mansions are in heaven, where Thou wilt wipe away all tears from the eyes of Thy children, bestow upon them the good things of Thy house, and fill them with eternal joy.

I now lay aside my earthly business and occupation, and prepare myself for the approaching Sunday, which I purpose to spend in prayer, singing, and meditation upon Thy holy Word. Grant me the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, and let not my devotions be disturbed either by my fellow-men or by my own heart. Amen.