01.01. Week 1
FIRST WEEK
Sunday morning
O Lord our God, our Father in Christ Jesus — we come before You this day in His name. We fall low on our knees before Your footstool. We humbly adore and bless Your holy name for this day of rest. It is the day which You have made, that we may rejoice and be glad in it! Fill our hearts with thankfulness, and our lips with praise. Teach us to see Your goodness in the provision which You have made for our salvation. You have given Your Word to guide and direct us. You have sent Your well-beloved Son to be the Savior of the world. You have sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to guide us into all truth.
We bless You, we praise You, we glorify You, Father, for all these proofs of Your love. We beg You give us grace this day, to live in the enjoyment of them. Give us a true delight in the services of Your House. Take from us the spirit of the world. Drive away all vain and wandering thoughts. Keep us from all lightness and irreverence, and fix our hearts on Yourself.
O Lord God Almighty, You are in Heaven, and we on earth. Teach us to worship You with holy awe. When we confess to You our sins — grant us genuine sorrow and contrition. While we seek You in prayer, let our petitions be real and fervent. Let faith be mingled with each desire we present to You. While we sing our songs of praise, let holy joy fill our hearts. While we hear Your Word read, or preached, let us receive it in meekness and obedience. O send Your Spirit to us this day, and may we behold the glory of Christ.
Blessed Jesus, exalted to the right hand of the Father, bestow upon Your Church the gifts which You have purchased for us by Your precious blood. Let Your ministers be clothed with righteousness, and endued with power from on high. Give unto them the spirit of wisdom, of love, and of a sound mind. Raise up many pastors after Your own heart, who shall feed Your flock in the wholesome pastures of Your Word. Be present, O Lord, in all the assemblies of Your people today. Bow down Your ear to hear — and open wide Your hand to give. Awaken the careless, guide the erring, and comfort the sorrowful. Let Your Word have free course, and run, and be glorified. Be very near to those who are unable to go to Your courts. Watch by the side of those in sickness and in suffering, and remind them of Your love. Be a staff of strength to the aged, and relieve the sorrows of those that are bereaved.
Accept these our humble supplications, and bless us for Your mercy sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday evening
O Heavenly Father, our God and Father in Christ, we come into Your presence and desire to thank You for Your mercy to us. We thank You for the rest of this Your holy day. We thank You for all the help which You have given us on our way to the better land. We thank You that this night we may come to You again, and cast ourselves on Your forgiving mercy.
We confess, O God, that we are unclean in Your sight. Our services this day have been mingled with much imperfection. Our prayers have been defiled by worldly and wandering thoughts. We have not loved You nor served You as we ought to have done. We have too often worshiped You with our lips, while our heart has been far from You. But, Lord, we entreat You to cleanse us from the iniquities of our holy things. Take from us all our guilt, and clothe us with the fair clothing of the Redeemer’s righteousness. Accept us in the Beloved, and deal with us favorably for His sake. Let "holiness to the Lord" be our aim in every service, and assist us by Your Spirit in all our prayers and meditations.
O Lord You have called us to labor in Your vineyard. You have given to each of us our talent, and would have us employ it for You. Help us cheerfully to obey Your call. Show us the work we have to do, and enable us to do it as in Your sight. Through this coming week may we watch for opportunities of usefulness. May we never refuse the least service we can render in the work of Your Church. Make us ready to condescend to men of low estate, and to give a cup of cold water to the least of Your disciples. Above all things, we pray that the love of Christ may constrain us. Send Your Holy Spirit to quicken our faith and love and zeal. Keep us from anything inconsistent with our profession, and may we adorn the doctrine of Christ in all things.
O Father, revive Your work in the midst of us. Show us a token for good, and lift up a banner for Your truth. Call forth many to work for You, and to bear witness for Christ in the world. Gather in a vast multitude of souls who are now strangers to Your grace. Turn them from darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto You.
Keep us, O Lord, through the hours of this night, and guard us from all danger.
Awaken within us an earnest desire for Christ’s appearing. Whether it be by day or by night — may we be found ready with our loins girded and our lights burning. O receive us now to Your care, forgive us and bless us for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Monday morning
O Lord God Almighty, our Creator, our Preserver, our Father in Christ Jesus — look upon us this morning with Your favor. Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. It is of Your mercies we are not consumed, because Your compassions never fail. You have mercifully watched over us through the past night, and guarded us from all danger. We are now met in Your presence to praise and bless Your name.
Grant unto us, O Lord, the spirit of true godliness. We would not be Christians in name only — but in deed and in truth. O make us to be such by the mighty power of Your Spirit. Show to us our need of pardon and grace and strength. Give us more contrition of heart, and more tenderness of conscience. Increase our faith, and enable us to rest all our hopes on Your dear Son Jesus Christ. You have given Him to be a sure Foundation, and a tried Cornerstone. You have promised to bestow on us the gift of pardon and of Your Spirit through Him. You have assured us that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Lord, we believe — help our unbelief. Fulfill to us these merciful promises. Freely blot out all our sins through His precious blood. Give us the Spirit of holiness, and renew us in Your own image. Stir up within us an earnest desire to please You, and make us to hunger and thirst after righteousness. May we hate and abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good. May we follow after that which is honest and just and pure. Make us wholesome patterns of Christian living, so that men may find in us no cause of offence. Make us to live above the world while we are in it — and may we ever be looking for the glorious appearing of Your Son Jesus Christ.
Remember, in Your great mercy, our friends and relations far and near. Make them partakers with us in the blessed hopes of Your Gospel. Comfort and support them in seasons of sorrow and anxiety — and bring them at last to Your kingdom.
We beg You to bless the congregation to which we belong. Pour out the rich abundance of Your grace upon Your servants ministering in Your Word. Make them steadfast and immovable, always abounding in Your work. Pour out upon all the members of our congregation the spirit of prayer, the spirit of love, and the spirit of tender compassion for souls that are perishing.
Go forth with us, O Lord, this morning, to our various duties. You were ever with Your servant Joseph of old, and all that he did, You made it to prosper. We beg You thus be near to us to help and bless us. Give us wisdom in all perplexities, and strength to resist every temptation. Keep us ever mindful of Your presence, and bring us to the land of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday evening
O Lord God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come once more to seek Your help. Another day has quickly passed by, and we are one stage nearer to our latter end. But You are the living God, unchangeable in truth and loving-kindness. With You is no variableness nor shadow of turning. You never fail those who trust in You, and Your mercy toward those who fear You is from everlasting to everlasting.
We confess, O Lord, that our sins have risen up toward Heaven as a thick cloud. By thought and word and deed we have provoked You to anger. We have grieved and vexed Your Holy Spirit by our continual backslidings. Spare us, O merciful Father, we humbly beseech You, and cast us not away from Your presence. Though we be tied and bound by the chain of our sins — yet let the pitifulness of Your great mercy loose us.
We plead before You the great work of redemption which Christ has wrought on our behalf. He has died the just for the unjust. He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree. O look upon Him wounded and bruised for our iniquities — and may His death answer for all our guilt. Impute not unto us the sins which we have done, but behold us with Your merciful favor for His sake.
We plead with You, O Lord, Your own faithful promises. You are God, and Your words are true, and that which You have spoken with Your mouth — You will fulfill with Your hand. You have promised eternal life to those who believe in Christ. You have promised deliverance from the guilt and power of sin to all who seek Your face. Grant us these blessings, we humbly beseech You. Give us Your grace on earth — and Your glory in the world to come. Be our refuge in the day of trouble. When trials come, You alone can support and comfort us. Be our Stronghold, our Hiding-place, and our Covert from the storm and tempest. Teach us, O Lord, to fear the judgments which You have pronounced against such as neglect Your salvation. You are faithful to Your promises — You are likewise faithful to the threatenings of Your Word. O teach each one of us to flee from Your wrath, and take refuge in Your mercy. If any before You are yet unsaved, lead them this night to turn unto You, and wash us every one in the fountain opened for sin and impurity.
O Lord Jesus, abide with us by night and by day, and amidst the changes and chances of this mortal life — may we ever lean on You, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Keep us near to Yourself this night. May our last thoughts be of You. Refresh us with quiet rest, and raise us up on the morrow strengthened to serve and please You. Hear us for Your name’s sake. Amen.
Tuesday morning
O God, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort — we come to You this morning as our Father in Christ Jesus. Your name is Love, and we beg You this day deal with us after Your mercy and loving-kindness.
O gracious and merciful Father, You delight to bless the households of such as serve and honor You. We need Your help continually. Except You build the house, their labor is but lost who build it. Except You are our Guardian and Keeper — the watchman wakes but in vain. Let Your presence ever be our defense and our glory. As the pillar of cloud rested over the tabernacles of Israel — so be near unto us to keep us and to guide us. May this dwelling-place ever be overshadowed by Your Fatherly care. Make this home a nursery for Heaven. Send us Your Spirit and make us humble and teachable, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Let the lamp of Your blessed Word be a light to guide and direct our footsteps. Shed abroad in our hearts, Your heavenly grace, and kindle within us the flame of Divine love. Make us to love You with all our soul, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Shut out of our home whatever may be hurtful either to our souls or bodies. Implant and nourish within us every good and holy desire. Enlighten our minds in the study of Your Word, that we may learn the secrets of heavenly wisdom. Establish and settle us in right principle, that we may never follow a multitude to do evil. Hold up our goings in Your ways, that our footsteps do not slip. And when heart and flesh fail — be the strength of our heart and our portion forever.
O Heavenly Father, whose never-failing providence orders all things both in Heaven and earth — protect and bless our beloved country. Direct the counsels of those set in authority over us. May they so order the affairs of this nation that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations.
Finally, we beg You to bless all estates of men in Your holy Church, that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly serve You in godliness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday evening
O God, our Father, the merciful God, the faithful God, we come to You again tonight. We have often come to You before, but You are never weary of hearkening to our prayer. You are always more ready to hear, than we to pray — and are accustomed to give more than we desire or deserve. O grant that we may never be weary of seeking Your face. May it be our continual joy and delight to draw near to You, and receive the blessing which You are so willing to bestow.
We come to You for pardon through the precious blood of Christ. Our feet are stained with sin. We have trodden forbidden paths. We have not walked as carefully as we should. O wash away all the evil that cleaves to us. Forgive the dishonor we have done to You among those with whom we have mingled.
We have failed to adorn the doctrine of our Savior. We have been too much like those who are walking after the course of this world. We have followed too much the devices of our own hearts. We have neglected many opportunities of doing good. O freely blot out all transgressions, and take us beneath Your Almighty Wings. We need Your protecting care. We know not what dangers may beset us, but our trust is in You alone. Keep us from all the snares of this wicked world. Keep us from the deceit and craft of the great Destroyer. Give Your angels charge over us and our dwelling-place; and You who never slumber, nor sleep — guard us during the hours of darkness.
O good Shepherd of Your flock, You know our sorrows, and understand the secret grief of every heart. We desire to cast all our care on You, for You care for us. Whatever may be the burden that oppresses us. You alone can help us to bear it. O give us grace according to our need. Undertake for each of us, and uphold us that we do not faint along the way. Say to each heart, "I am your strength and your salvation." Help us to lift up our eyes to You who pleads the cause of Your people. Allow no temptation to prevail against us, but lead us in Your narrow way. Bring us in Your own time to that blessed Home, where there is no more pain, or sorrow, or death, and where we shall see You face to face!
O Father, mercifully look down from Heaven on all those who are near and dear to us. Give unto them present peace in the assurance of Your favor, and keep them evermore in Your faith and fear. Ward off any danger that may threaten them, and may they abide in the secret place of Your tabernacle. Amidst all the changes and chances of this mortal life, may they ever be defended by Your most gracious and ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday morning
Almighty and everlasting God, You have called us to Your throne of grace, and have invited us to draw near to You. You have bidden us in everything to make known our requests unto You. We would obey Your call this morning. We come to You as Your children in Christ Jesus, and we ask You for the help we so greatly need.
O Lord, pour upon us richly the spirit of prayer and supplication. Dispose our hearts to seek Your face. Give us an earnest desire for Your salvation. Give us holy boldness in approaching You through the blood and mediation of Your only-begotten Son.
We come to You, most merciful Father, and would cast on You all our burdens and our cares. You know that we are often cast down by the various trials of the narrow way — but Your hand is in every sorrow and in every disappointment. If we meet with wrong and injury through our fellow-men, teach us to realize that You have permitted it for our good. If others speak evil of us, and judge us harshly — may we rest in Your faithfulness and love. Keep us from the least willful misdoing, and in Your own time bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday.
If pain and suffering are appointed for us, give us cheerful submission to Your will, and in due season restore us again to health and strength. Give us a full persuasion that all our steps are ordered by You, and may we see Your wisdom and love in everything that befalls us. May we this day remember that we are called by Your name. We are pledged to fight manfully under Christ’s banner against sin, the world, and the devil. Make us faithful to our vows and promises. Be ever at hand to support and help us in the hour of temptation. Keep us from denying You, or being ashamed of Your Word, or Your service. Fill our hearts with inward strength, that we may confess Your name in a sinful world. May we adorn Your gospel by a very holy and consistent life.
God, the King of glory, who has exalted Your only Son Jesus Christ, with great triumph to Your kingdom and glory — send us Your blessed Spirit, the Comforter. May He dwell within us, to teach us, to sanctify us, and to guide us into all the truth. Through His grace, may we mortify every besetting sin and infirmity. Take us beneath Your gracious protection this day; and, though we are unworthy of any favor at Your hands, do for us far more than we can ask or think, through the worthiness of Your dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday evening
O Lord God Almighty, there is no God like You in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath. You are Great and High and Holy. We come to You with the deepest humility, for we are unworthy of the least of Your mercies. But You are our Father. You have redeemed us by the blood of Your Son. O give us childlike confidence in Your fatherly love, and may we believe the promises You have made to us in Christ.
We cast ourselves down this night before Your footstool, and confess to You our many sins. We have too often forgotten You, the Giver of all we possess. We remember the friends who show us kindness from time to time — but how seldom have we thought of You, our Father and our God. You have nourished us, and sustained our life by Your tender care — but we have not known or considered Your goodness. But You are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Forgive us, we beseech You, all that is past, for the sake of Him who died for our sins. Give us the spirit of true and sincere gratitude. Teach us henceforth to live as Your faithful and obedient children.
O merciful Redeemer, we fly to You as the only refuge of our souls. We hear Your voice calling us to Yourself. You have invited all who are weary and heavy laden. You have promised to give us rest. Lord, we come, for You have bidden us. We are weary of the evil which we have wrought; but we look unto You for the rest which You have promised. Give to us the rest of complete forgiveness. Grant us quietness and peace of spirit in the assurance that You love us. Refresh us with Your grace, and make us glad with the light of Your countenance.
O God, we beseech You, be gracious to this household and to all whom we love. Look upon any who may be at a distance from us, and who may be exposed to special dangers and temptations. Keep them in the hour of trial. Lead them and guide them by Your Holy Spirit, and make them truly to love and fear You. Have mercy upon all who live round about us, and grant that they may be numbered among Your people. Turn the hearts of the disobedient, to the wisdom of the just. Let those that love You be as the Sun when he goes forth in his might. Make us all to be harmless and blameless, living in holiness and love as Your children in the midst of all evil world.
We are now about to lie down to rest — let Your everlasting arms be beneath us, and Your sheltering wing over us. Be near to us through the hours of darkness, and when we awake may we still abide with You. Grant us these petitions for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Thursday morning
Almighty Father, You are exalted far above all blessing and praise — and yet You delight in the worship of Your redeemed people. We come to You this morning in the Savior’s name. We are unworthy of Your regard, but Jesus is worthy. We are altogether sinful in Your sight, but Jesus is our righteous Advocate. Look upon the face of Your Anointed One, and bless us with all spiritual blessings for His sake.
We would go forth to our daily occupations this day, and do all things as in Your sight. You have preserved our lives from day to day. May we spend them in cheerfully doing Your will. Teach us to walk before You and be upright in all our ways. May we never follow the example of those around us when it is contrary to Your Holy Word and commandment. Give us both to will and to do according to Your good pleasure. Lead us by Your Spirit in the paths of righteousness. May no temptation befall us which we are unable to resist. Clothe us with the armor of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left. Prepare us against every assault of the Tempter. Keep us ever watchful and prayerful, and may we at all times lean only on the hope of Your heavenly grace given to us in Christ.
O Lord Jesus, be our light in this dark world. You have come to us as the Day-spring from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. You are the Bright and Morning Star — yes, You are the very Sun of Righteousness, who have arisen with healing in Your wings. With You is the light of mercy and forgiveness for every sin-burdened conscience. With You is the light of love for the friendless and the desolate. With You is the light of hope for those who are ready to despair. Come, O light of men, and scatter all our darkness! Awaken us from the slumber of spiritual death. Take from us all indolence and sloth. Kindle within us the flame of Divine love. Fill us with Your light and joy. Make us to reflect Your own image, and may we shine as lights in the world.
O Lord, we plead with You for those who have not the same comforts which we enjoy. O God of mercy and love, be near to support the poor and needy. Be the Father of the fatherless, and the God of the widow. May all who are in distress have grace to bring their cares and their necessities to You. May those who are poor in this world, be rich in faith, and rest satisfied that You do an things well. Teach us all that the time is short, and that our light afflictions are but for a moment. May we so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that we finally come to the land of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thursday evening
O God, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort — we come to You this night, and desire to commit ourselves to Your merciful keeping. Watch over us during the hours of darkness, and refresh us with quiet rest. The darkness is no darkness with You, but the darkness and the light are both alike. Your eye is ever upon us, and Your arm is Almighty to defend and protect us.
O Lord, You have taught us in Your Holy Word to be ready at all times for the second coming of Your Son. We know not the day nor the hour of His appearing. Lord, prepare us for that great and solemn day. Clothe us with the wedding garment of the Savior’s righteousness. Blot out all our sins, through His most precious blood. Cover us with the covering of Your Spirit. Endue us with innocence of life, and make us holy in all our conduct.
We beseech You, O most merciful Father — quicken our cold and careless hearts, that we may watch and pray continually. May our loins be girded about and our lights burning. May we be like unto men who wait for their Lord, that when He comes and knocks — we may open unto Him immediately.
O Lord Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, fill our hearts with holy joy in the prospect of Your coming kingdom. You shall raise up those who sleep in You. You shall change our vile bodies, that they may be made like unto Your glorious body. May we live day by day as Your true servants, and may we look forward in assurance of hope to that blessed time.
O God, we beseech You to mercifully shield and protect every member of this family. There may be some whom You know to be in special danger. Health may be failing, or a sudden accident may bring peril when least expected. Be gracious unto Your servants according to their need. Keep them evermore beneath the covert of Your almighty wing. Give us that which will tend most to our everlasting welfare. Grant us that which is requisite for our present comfort, if it be Your holy will. But if it is otherwise, help us to trust You and to rely on Your Fatherly care.
Bless all our relatives and friends. We entreat You to give them whatever they need for time and eternity. Look upon all those traveling by land or by sea, and be near to help them in the hour of danger. Defend our soldiers wherever their lot may be cast, and make them faithful soldiers of the King of kings. Be merciful to all prisoners and captives. Give to them true repentance, and bring their souls out of soul-prison that they may praise Your name. Fulfill these our desires and supplications, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Friday morning
O Almighty Lord God Almighty, You are the High and Lofty One who inhabits Eternity — and yet You humble Yourself to behold the children of men. Behold us this morning in Your tender compassion. You know our frame — You remember that we are dust. We are frail and sinful, and our thoughts and desires are of the earth — but deal with us according to Your mercy. Be favorable to us through the merit and death of Your dear Son. Quicken our hearts by Your Spirit, and raise our affections to Yourself.
O Lord, we are called by Your name and profess to be Your servants. We have acknowledged You to be our God and our King. We are bound to serve You alone. Help us to be faithful to our high calling. Make us to be witnesses for You in a world that denies You.
O Lord, You have purposed that Your people should be as the salt of the earth. Fulfill in us this Your good pleasure. Endue us with the savor of Your heavenly grace, and make us in all things followers of Christ. Make us meek and gentle, patient and forbearing towards each other. Make us just and true in our dealings with our fellow-men. Grant us the spirit of constant prayer, and make us Your remembrancers. May we continually bear on our hearts before You the sins and sorrows of those around us. Show to each of us the work You would have us to do, and give us strength and power faithfully to fulfill the same. Create within us a humble spirit, that we may be ready to help a little child, or speak a word in love to the poorest of Your flock.
O Lord, we would lay ourselves and all we have at Your feet. Be graciously pleased to use us in Your service. O good Shepherd, restore our souls whenever we go astray. Let not our light grow dim, nor the salt lose its savor. Let us not forsake You, nor turn aside to that which cannot profit. Give us ever increasing Life through Your Spirit. Give us more humility, more reality, more fervent zeal, and greater love toward Your name. Transform us into Your own image, from glory to glory, until we cast our crowns before You. Have mercy upon the lost and the perishing. Stir up Your people to seek after them, and bring them back to Your fold. Prosper every effort made to tell sinners of Your love. Fetch home to Yourself those who have gone the furthest astray. Touch their hearts by Your Spirit, and dispose them to return to You, the Shepherd and Guardian of their souls. Hear us, gracious Savior, and fulfill all our petitions, for Your name’s sake. Amen.
Friday evening
O Lord our God, You are our Father, our Guardian, our constant Benefactor. Another day we have been spared in Your mercy. You have preserved our going out and our coming in. You have shielded us in many dangers. You have given us strength sufficient for our appointed work. O give us hearts to praise You for Your goodness. May we yield to You our hearty thanksgivings for all Your benefits, temporal and spiritual. May we take the cup of salvation, and call upon Your holy name.
We confess, Lord, that we have too often made an ungrateful return for Your loving-kindness. We have been unprofitable servants. We have been negligent in searching Your Word. We have not stirred up ourselves to take hold of You. Lord, our hearts are full of iniquity and evil. You desire truth in the inward parts, but we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags before You.
O Father, we would hide from You nothing of the sin which cleaves to us. But we beg You to cleanse us from all iniquity. You are faithful and just to forgive those who confess their sins unto You. We cast ourselves upon Your abounding mercy — wash us from every stain of guilt.
We beseech You, O Lord, renew us in the spirit of our minds. We are the clay — and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hands. Work in us both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Mold and fashion us after Your own image. Make us holy, pure, patient, and full of charity. Make us vessels unto honor, sanctified both in body and soul. Make us very useful in the Master’s service, and prepare us to every good work.
O Lord, quicken us by Your Spirit, and help us to run the race set before us. Keep us from turning aside, through the cares or pleasures of this life. Give us patience and steadfastness when hindrances arise. Uphold our goings in Your way, that our footsteps may not slip. Lift us up when we fall. Let us never yield to unbelieving thoughts of Your grace or power. Help us to lay aside every weight, and the sin which most easily besets us. May we ever be looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Forgetting the things which are behind, may we press forward until we reach the goal. This night graciously protect this household and all those who are dear to us. Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. O Lord save us, and help us now and evermore, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saturday morning
O God, You delight in mercy, and have promised to hear the prayers of Your children. Draw near unto us this morning, as we draw near unto You in the name of Jesus. We come to You through the new and living way which You have opened to us by Him. For His sake regard us in loving-kindness, and cast all our sins behind Your back.
O keep us this day, we beseech You, from the manifold temptations and devices of the wicked one. Open our eyes that we may discern the danger that may be near. Keep our feet from being taken in the snare that may be laid for us. Deliver us from all distrust of Your providential care. May we never make use of sinful expedients to obtain that which we desire.
You feed the birds of the air, and clothe the grass of the field. Help us to believe that You will provide for all our necessities, and care for us in all our cares. Teach us to rely more confidently on Your Fatherly goodness. May we seek first Your kingdom and righteousness — fulfill Your promise, that all other things shall be added to us.
If for a season You try our faith, and permit us to lack anything — then remind us that our Master was once poor and needy for our sakes, and had nowhere to lay His head. Make all our trials work together for our good, and in Your own time send some angel of mercy to minister to our needs.
Father, deliver us also from all pride and vain-glory. Subdue within us every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge and obedience of Christ. Make us willing to follow in His footsteps, who was ever meek and lowly in heart. O grant us true humility. Show to us our exceeding sinfulness. In lowliness of mind may we esteem others better than ourselves. May we be willing to give place to those around us, and seek their profit and pleasure rather than our own.
O merciful and faithful High Priest, who were in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin — stand by us and support us in every season of temptation. Enable us to withstand all the assaults of the Tempter. Fortify our hearts with the promises of Your Word. Endue us with the grace of Your Spirit, that we may come off more than conquerors. Be our arm every morning, and our refuge and defense in the conflict of each passing day. Have mercy, we entreat You, on those who are hindered in their heavenly race. There are many placed in circumstances of great difficulty, where it is doubly hard to walk with You and do Your will. But, Father, give them strength according to their day. Keep them from the fear of man, and make them constantly mindful of Your loving Presence. Cheer them with Your smile, and uphold them with Your mighty right hand.
Accept, we beseech You, these our prayers for ourselves and for those in trial. Bless all those who are near and dear to us, and keep us holy and blameless unto the day of Christ’s appearing, for His name’s sake. Amen.
Saturday evening
O eternal God, the Everlasting Refuge of Your people — we fly to You as our only hope amidst the changes of this passing world. We come to You tonight at the close of another week. Our days and years are quickly rolling by, and we draw nearer to our latter end. Make us to know our end, and the number of our days, that we may know how frail we are. Teach us to live while we live, and may we spend each day in remembrance that it may be our last. Whatever our hand finds to do, may we do it with our might, knowing that there is no wisdom or device in the grave to which we are going. Teach us ever to bear in mind that the end of all things is at hand. May we therefore be sober and watch unto prayer. May we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time.
O God, who searches all our hearts, and understands all the imaginations of our thoughts — we would be honest with You. We would hide nothing from You this night. We would lay open before You all our ways and doings, for You know us altogether. We plead guilty before You. We have sinned grievously. We have failed to perform the duties to which You have called us. We have too much neglected the care of our own souls, and of those about us. We have forgotten You days without number. We have not sought to glorify You in our daily life. We have all come short of serving You as we should. We have been unprofitable servants. We have grieved and provoked You by our backslidings, and have vexed Your Holy Spirit. But we plead Your mercy. Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name — and deliver us and purge away our sins for Your name’s sake. Look upon Him who was made sin for us — that we might be accounted righteous in Him. May His blood remove each stain of evil, and purge our conscience from dead works to serve You the living God.
Prepare our hearts for the holy rest of the coming day. Help us to cast aside all that may have troubled or disturbed us through the week. Help us to leave behind all the concerns of our week-day work, and to rise up to nearer communion with You. Raise our thoughts to that better land where You shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. O that we might day by day so live by faith in Your dear Son, that we might be enabled joyfully to anticipate the pleasures which are at Your right hand for evermore!
We now commit ourselves to Your faithful care. Give quiet rest unto us this night, and grant us on the morrow a day of holy joy in Your worship, and when our days and weeks on earth are passed away, may we dwell forever in Your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.