33. Evening Prayer in Illness

EXHORTATION.

"I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted."—Psalm lxxvii. 2, 3. In view of the thousand accidents which may befall a man by day and by night, he must never rise or retire to rest without consigning his body and his soul to the strong guardianship of a gracious God. This is particularly important in times of sickness. 1. When God has helped a sick man to reach the close of a day, he must thank him for his merciful support.

2. At the approach of night, of which the sick often have a peculiar dread, he must again draw near to God in prayer, and beseech him in mercy to avert all dangerous attacks and pains.

3. Having thus given body and soul into the Lord's keeping, he must not doubt that the triune God will be, throughout the night, his Light and his support; that he will stand at his bedside, will watch and nurse him, forgive his sins for the sake of the death of Jesus, and be gracious unto him. With thoughts like these the sick man must resign himself wholly to the divine wisdom, love, care and protection. EVENING PRAYER IN ILLNESS.

O thou merciful God! I have reached the close of another day. Thou, Lord! Lord! hast prolonged my life to this hour; therefore, I give the thanks and praise of a warm heart to thy fatherly love and truth. Especially do I praise thy name for having aided me to bear my cross and sufferings this day. Oh Lord, thou dost impose a burden, and thou dost also assist in bearing it. We have a God who helps, and a Lord who delivers from death. The Lord afflicts, it is true, but his mercy returns in virtue of his great goodness. The Lord is a gracious and a kind friend to all who call upon his name. He hears the cries of the distressed, and does not refuse their prayer. O great God, the night approaches, and I turn to thee in prayer, saying, "My father, remain with me, and do not depart from me this night." Aye, command thy angels to come and defend thy property in me, give us those brave sentinels to secure us against the assaults of Satan, then shall we sleep in thy name, while the holy angels guard us, and praise thee, most holy Trinity, for ever more. Avert this night all sudden and dangerous attacks and spasms, soothe my pains, preserve me against fright, fear, and misfortune. O heavenly father! Remain with thy sick child; when thy gracious presence hovers over me, I am not afraid. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is the vigor of my life, whom should I dread? O Jesus! the sun is setting, but thou, O sun of righteousness, wilt not depart. O my Jesus! take me into thy arms this night. Lay my head upon thy left hand, and thy right hand upon me. O most precious Holy Ghost! thou comforter of the afflicted and resource of the wretched, do thou stay with me, strengthen me, preserve me in the true faith and in Christian patience. O thou holy trinity, take me into thy protection. The Lord bless me and keep me; the Lord let his countenance shine upon me and be gracious unto me; the Lord lift up his countenance over me, and give me peace. And if this night should be my last in this vale of sorrows, Lord, take me into heaven, into thy happy mansions. And thus I live and die for thee, thou mighty Lord of Hosts, in life and death thou wilt deliver me from all evil. Amen. 1. For rest and peace I'll look around me,

For I am weary of distress,

Till Jesus in his sleep has bound me,

I shall not know true happiness.

The sleep that Jesus gives, alone

Brings rest when we have weary grown

2. My bed, so silent, sad, and lonely,

Is little better than the grave;

But if I have my Jesus only,

No better resting place I crave.

Upon his faithful bosom laid,

My doubts and troubles all are stayed.

3. When I dispose the clothes around me,

I think the earth will soon be cast

Upon me, when the grave has bound me,

And I am laid to rest at last.

But if my Jesus there I see,

The grave is but a bed to me.

4. When I suppress the burning taper,

I think that, as the night is dark,

So all will be dissolved in vapor,

When life deserts my little bark.

But Jesus, beacon of my soul,

Shall never fail to keep me whole.

5. As I throw off my clothes, I ponder

Upon my last disrobing day,

When I shall leave the world for yonder

Small chamber in the house of clay.

Farewell, farewell, my earthly dress,

I wear the Saviour's righteousness.

PRAYER FOR PATIENCE IN ILLNESS.