05.04. FOURTH WEEK
FOURTH WEEK
SUNDAY MORNING Our hearts are glad this morning, our Father, as we greet this new Sunday. All that is within us rejoices and praises You. May our lives rise from their prisons of death — into beauty and blessedness.
We thank You for all that the resurrection of Jesus means to us: that He could not be held by death; that He lives now to intercede for us in Heaven, and also to be our Friend and Companion in this world. May the gifts of His grace be poured out upon us. May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and enrich our lives.
Prepare us for the work and worship of this day. Bless to us the words we have read from Your holy word. May they become in us divine inspirations, kindling in our hearts holy thoughts, pure desires, aspirations after holiness, and that love which shall make our lives like altars of incense before You.
Bless us in our home life on this day of rest. May we be drawn together into closer fellowship as a family. May our love become deeper, tenderer, and more unselfish, as we mingle in Your worship. May Your blessing rest upon those who shall preach Your word, and upon all who shall assemble for worship. We pray especially for those who shall carry Your word to the perishing. May they have Your power and may their ministries be blessed.
We now give ourselves to You for this day. We desire to make it a day unstained by sinful thought or word, a day for receiving new measures of the Holy Spirit, a day for coming very close to Jesus, a day for giving out blessings to others. Forgive us all our sins. Cleanse and purify our lives. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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SUNDAY EVENING This quiet Sunday evening, our Father, we come to You with glad hearts. We thank You for the Sunday that comes after the six days of toil, bringing us the opportunity for rest and renewal of strength. If we had been compelled to go on forever, without rest — we could not have endured the burden. Sunday speaks to us of Your love for us, in providing little sanctuaries for us among the days.
We thank You for Sunday, because it keeps ever in our minds the remembrance of our Savior’s victory over death. It tells us that we have now a living Savior, living to be our Friend, Companion, and Guide!
We thank You, too, for what the Sundays have been to us through the years that we have lived. We thank You for this Sunday, now closing, and for all that it has brought to us of grace, and comfort, and renewed strength. We have looked into Your face, and have received blessing in Christian fellowship. We have read and heard Your word, and its truths linger in our hearts. We have sung Your praise, and have called upon You in prayer. May all this day’s impressions stay in our lives as part of our permanent character henceforth. May the strength we have received, make us stronger in body, mind, and spirit — for what we shall have to do in the week before us. May the songs of this day keep singing in our hearts for many days to come. So may this day be indeed a blessing to us, leaving enrichment of character, new visions of beauty, higher ideals to be reached.
Draw us near You now for a blessing; then fold us away in Your bosom for the night. We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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MONDAY MORNING Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. May Your kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. This is our prayer this morning. We would have Your kingdom come into our own hearts so fully, that everything in us shall submit to Your sway. We would indeed have You as the King of our lives, seated on our heart’s throne, and ruling over our affections, feelings, and desires! So we pray that Your kingdom may come in our own lives. May everything in us that opposes You, be brought to submit to You. May our ways that are not right, be changed to conform to Your holy ways.
Sometimes we chafe and fret when we do not find things to our liking, when our work is hard for us, when we are not prospered in our plans as we had hoped. Father, You forgive all this discontent and rebellion. We know You are training us, and that we are in Your school all the time. We know that when we complain and annoy ourselves about our circumstances, we not only grieve You — but also mar Your work in us. Help us, therefore, to humbly submit to all Your ways, and learn well the lesson of submission and trust in Your sovereign plan for us. We want to be truly able always to say, "May Your will be done." Give us grace to say it every day and every hour. Help us to look up into Your face . . .
when the path is rough,
when the tasks are hard,
when it hurts us to go on —
and to say with love, "Not my will — but may Your will be done."
We now commit ourselves to You for the day. It may not bring us all sunshine, gladness, and ease. It may have clouds, and pain, and hardship. But, Father, we want to make it a sweet, beautiful day — whether it shall be bright or dark. Give us much of Your Spirit, and may we live near You all day. We ask all in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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MONDAY EVENING
Lord, we come to You; may You give ear to our voice when we call upon You. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense; and the lifting up of our hands, as the evening sacrifice. Give us Your divine peace. In the quiet evening time, may Your blessing rest upon our home. Forgive the sins and failures of this day. If we did not live together in all ways affectionately as a family, if we were impatient the one toward the other, or lacking in Christly kindness — we beg Your forgiveness. If any of us have hurt the heart of another by a sharp word or unkind act — may You heal the wounds by Your own grace. May we forgive one another, even as You forgive us; and pour out Your love in return for the things that grieve You. Our hearts long tonight to enter more deeply into the experiences of Your wonderful love. Help us to know more and more of it. Pour it into our souls, filling us with its tenderness and grace. May we bathe in the ocean of Your love, as one bathes in the sea. May its blessedness flow about us like the air in which we move. Teach us more and more by Your Spirit, the deep meaning, the infinite riches, of Your love. May we be so filled with Your love, that we shall love others, just as You love us.
We are afraid of the darkness — since You are with us. The darkness and the light are both alike to You. You are present in the gloom of night, as truly as in the brightness of noonday. So we are not afraid in the darkness, with You by us. We will lie down on our beds in peace, because You will be our keeper.
Remember our neighbors tonight. Comfort the dying and console the sorrowing. We ask all this in the name of our Redeemer. Amen.
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TUESDAY MORNING
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, grant us access to You in our prayer, for we come in the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. You have invited us to come to You, and we come boldly to Your throne of grace to find mercy and to obtain help in time of our need. Grant us Your peace. Accept us graciously. We are sorry for our sins which have grieved You. We offer no excuse, nor would we try to make our sins seem less heinous than they are. We simply confess them — and ask You to forgive us.
We have our burdens to carry. Some of them are heavy, and it seems to us that we cannot bear them. But we remember Your promise, that if we cast our burden upon You, that You will sustain us. So we would cast these burdens of ours upon You. We do not ask that You should take them away from us, for it may be that we should continue to bear these burdens. So we ask for grace to keep our burdens, and we plead Your promise for strength to sustain us as we walk beneath them in faith and confidence. Let us not faint and sink down under the load; but may we be enabled to walk erect, helped by Your sustaining grace.
Teach us to do Your will. Your will is always the best thing for us, the only good thing we can do. To go against Your will, is to grieve You, and hurt our own life. Show us what Your will is, day by day, step by step — what You would have us to do. Then teach us to DO Your will. Incline our hearts unto Your commandments. Then help us to obey Your precepts. It is not easy for us to do this, with our evil hearts — but may You help us all this day to do only the things that will please You. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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TUESDAY EVENING
We lift up our hearts to You, O God, at this evening hour. We are grateful to You for the mercies and favors of the day. You have kept us from harm. You have provided for our needs, giving us our daily bread and supplying our necessities. You have prospered us in our work, and helped us in our tasks.
We have not had our own way in all matters. Some of the things we desired, we did not receive. Some of our plans, we were not permitted to carry out. Some of the hopes that were in our hearts in the morning, were not realized. We had to take up our cross at times, and deny ourselves. But we believe that these painful things were as really parts of Your loving plan for us — as were the things that were agreeable and pleasant. All Your ways are mercy and truth. In whatever guise Your will is made known to us — we know that it is goodness and love. So we accept the unpleasant things that came to us today, with the same confidence and trust that we take the pleasant things. Help us to say cheerfully and with unquestioning faith, "May Your will be done," and may we get the blessing that You put into the painful things.
We leave the day now with You. We shall never see it again until we meet it when the books are opened before Your great white throne. We can change nothing we have done. We can unsay no unkind word we have spoken. We can correct no mistakes, recall no unkindnesses, withdraw no evil influence we have let loose in this world. We can only leave the day with You. You are merciful and gracious. Have compassion upon us. Deal leniently with the day which is gone out of our hands, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WEDNESDAY MORNING
It is a great comfort, our Father, to be able always to come to You with our needs. It is a comfort to know that You are really our Father. We know something of what fatherhood means to a child, and it is sweet to know that You are our divine Father, not merely in name — but that all any father can be to a child You are to us, and far more, as divinity is greater than humanity. Help us to know You as our Father, to trust in Your Father-love for us, in Your Father-care. May you grant us the child-spirit, the spirit of adoption, that we may look up to You and say, "Abba, Father!" May we be obedient children, doing all that You bid us to do. May we honor You as children are taught to honor their parents. May our consecration and our conduct be worthy of You. Let us never do anything that would dishonor You. May your image be printed on our lives so clearly, so brightly — that all who see us shall see Your divine fatherly features shining in us.
Today we ask that as we go out into the world we may go indeed as Your children. We shall need protection. The world is full of dangers, subtle enemies, insidious influences, and crafty evils. We cannot take care of ourselves — so we beg You to take care of us. Hide us away in the secret of Your presence, from the strife of tongues.
We shall need to receive sustaining grace for every step of the way — more grace, grace upon grace. As the flowers cannot live without Heaven’s dew, rain, and sunshine — so neither can we live without Your love and strength. Fill us with Your Spirit. Shed abroad Your love in our hearts. Then we shall be able to live lives worthy of Your children. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WEDNESDAY EVENING
O God, our Father, breathe an evening blessing upon us. There is much in us that needs cleansing. Look upon us as friends of Your Son. He has died for us. We have no merit of our own. We dare not lift our hands in Your sight, except as we are His redeemed people. He loved us and gave Himself for us. He was wounded for our transgressions. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. We do not mention our own names before You, for we have sinned and come short of Your glory. Our best things, are stained with sin. Our purest thoughts, have evil in them. Our gentlest deeds, are not altogether white. Wrong motives, selfish desires, and unholy feelings spoil all that we do! But Jesus Christ is our hope and trust. We hide behind His cross. We would be seen by You, only in Him. For His sake, then, look upon us graciously and love us freely.
We thank You for the favors of this day. Bless to us all of this day’s experiences. Teach us the lessons You have set for us. Bless all our efforts to help others. May the things we have tried to do to give comfort, help, and cheer, to make burdens lighter and paths smoother — be owned by You and used to advance Your work in the lives of those whom we have sought to help.
If we have done wrong to others today, whether in some impatience or selfishness, or without intent, in carelessness and thoughtlessness — we beg Your forgiveness, and we ask also that You will help us to undo the wrong, if this is possible. Teach us how to overcome evil with good. Give us the gentle, healing touch, which will cure the hurts we have made. Give us more and more love, that we may always bless, never injure others. We ask all these mercies in the name of Jesus. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THURSDAY MORNING
O God, our Father, we Your children come to You for a blessing. As the earth needs the sun and the rain from Heaven — so do our lives need Your grace and love and life. We cannot live without You. Without blessings from You — our souls would die. Pour upon us Your grace and love, as we bow at Your feet.
We have our duties for the day; we need wisdom that we may do them well. May You bestow upon us the grace that will prepare us for whatever You have in Your plan for us. We beseech You to help us to live together as a family, in a way that will honor You. Deepen our love for each other, and help us to be patient and kindly in all of our associations. Help us to make our love like Yours. Put Your love into our hearts — and then we shall love truly. Destroy all selfishness in us, and give us the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Help us to bear one another’s burdens, and to be patient one with another. Make our home more and more like Heaven. May we do Your will here — as it is done in Heaven. May our love be like Heaven’s love in . . .
its purity,
its tenderness,
its sincerity,
and its fellowship.
Give us grace to be helpers of each other’s spiritual good — to make each other holier, to provoke each other to love and good works. May we be means of grace to each other. We desire this morning to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, that we may receive a new baptism of love as we go out for the day. Keep us from falling along the difficult way. Let no hurt come to us. Shield us from temptation — or strengthen us to resist temptation. Bring us all home at nightfall, when the day is done. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THURSDAY EVENING
Lord, at this evening hour we come to You. It is a solemn hour. The day is done. We cannot get it back to undo anything in it which ought not to have been done — or to do anything we ought to have done and did not do. All must stand until the judgment hour. It is solemn, too, because we are passing into the night, when no man can work. We ask for Your special peace. We beseech You to forgive all that has been wrong in our day. Then we commit ourselves into Your care for the night. Guard us and bless us tonight. Our thoughts go out toward others at this quiet evening hour. Some are sick and some are sad, and some have never loved You, and some have lost the love they had. Some have found that this world is vain — yet from the world they will not break free. We pray for these, that they may turn their hearts to You, and throw off the world’s chains. Some have friends who give them pain, yet have not sought a friend in You. Have mercy upon these, and may they find in You the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.
We turn to You, O Savior, Jesus, in our pain and our solicitude, because of all these human needs. You, too, are man — You have been troubled, tempted, tried, and You understand all these woes and sorrows. Your kind but searching glance, can scan the very wounds that shame would hide. Have pity, O Jesus, and in Your love send blessing. Your touch has still its ancient power; lay it on the spiritually sick and the diseased who lie around Your feet. No word from You can fall fruitless; speak the healing words, and let their power be felt. Hear our prayer in this solemn evening hour, and in Your mercy heal us all. We ask all in Your precious name. Amen.
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FRIDAY MORNING
O You who dwell in the heavens, we lift our eyes to You. The morning calls us again to worship You, and we gladly come to Your feet with our homage. It is fitting that we should bring You our hearts’ praise. We have been called from death, as it were, for in our sleep we were as if dead. Our waking is a new beginning of life. We would give ourselves to You for another day. We would consecrate the day to You, and would make it altogether Yours. We would make it a holy day, without spot. We would not do anything to stain its white page. We would write upon this little page of ours, only beautiful things — a record of worthy deeds, of faithfulness, of kindness, of unselfishness. But we know well that we can make this day white and worthy, only through Your help. We are naturally selfish — but may You so fill us with Your love, that we shall do only loving things today. Preserve us from impatience, from outbreaks of temper, from quarrelsomeness, from all harsh and bitter speech. Help us as a family, to live together affectionately, bearing with one another, restraining anger and unkind feelings — and manifesting only thoughtfulness, gentleness, and sweetness of spirit. Help us to make our home indeed a place of love, where no sharp or unkind words shall be heard, where each shall think only of the others’ happiness. Make our home one in which Jesus Himself would consent to be a constant guest.
Then may our home today be a center of holy influences which shall flow out to give light, warmth, and cheer to other homes. There are households without Your love — without the blessing of Your love revealed and understood. May the influence of our home, go out to help to make these homes truer. We ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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FRIDAY EVENING The shadows have deepened around us, O God, and we creep near to You. As birds fly to their nest when night comes, as little children run to their home — so would we flee to You. Receive us and shelter us in Your divine love. We thank You that we have access to You; that though we have sinned, Jesus Christ died for sinners, and the way is open to us. We have no right to come to You, but through the mediation of Your Son. In His name we come, pleading for forgiveness and for access. May Your blessing be upon all the work of our hands today. It has been faulty. But may You take it and build it into Your kingdom. You are using the weak things, the base things, and things that are nothing — and You can use even the poor broken fragments of this day’s efforts.
We ask for a special blessing on our home tonight. Bless our home-life. May each one of us know well his part in making the home beautiful and blessed — and then may we all do what we know we should do, to bring the fullness of Jesus’ peace into our home. May our fellowship as a family become more and more tender and affectionate. Save us from all bitterness and impatience, and all irritability, and from being easily provoked. May our home-love be strengthened, and may we learn to live together sweetly.
We would remember our neighbors. You have commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We desire to obey You, and we ask You to teach us this divine love. If we have failed today, forgive us. Grant us more and more of Your love — and then we can love aright.
Hear us, O God, in our prayer, and grant us Your holy peace. We ask all in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SATURDAY MORNING
We come to Your feet, our Father, to receive Your blessing as we go out into the world. We want to make this a beautiful day. Help us to be diligent. Cover us with Your wings of love. Let us not lean to our own understanding, nor follow the devices and desires of our own deceitful hearts. May we live today in You and for You — honoring You in all that we do and say.
We humbly seek Your favor upon the work of our hands. Help us to do it well. Save us from all negligence, and from laziness. We would honor You in the commonest tasks of this day. May we do them all as under Your eye, and for Your inspection. Save us from being satisfied with low ideals and attainments. Help us to do our best, even in the smallest things.
Sanctify our influence — so that we may be a blessing to all whose lives we touch. Let us not be hinderers of the good or the joy of any other. Let us not be discouragers of those who are struggling with hardship or trial or temptation — but may we rather be encouragers of all whom we meet. May we carry cheer in our faces — and be inspirers of cheer in others. Keep the door of our lips, that we may speak no uncharitable words. May our conversation be such as will help others.
We pray for our friends. Some of them are carrying heavy burdens. Some of them are sick. We pray that You will heal and comfort the sick, and strengthen those whose loads are too great for them to bear. We beseech You to care for the poor and all who are in any trouble. Send to us any in need whom You would have us to befriend or relieve, or send us to them with some blessing.
Hear us in our prayers and bless us, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SATURDAY EVENING
We must keep ourselves in Your hands, our Father, for if we should fall out of those blessed hands — it would be into eternal damnation. In You, we live and move and have our being. We acknowledge this dependence, and come to You tonight, to surrender ourselves to You. Into Your hands we commit our spirits, O Lord God of truth, for You have redeemed us. Wherein we have failed to live and act as Yours, Your redeemed ones — may You forgive us. Bless what we have done. Sanctify our influence upon others. May the day’s experiences be enriching to ourselves, and through them may we be prepared for holier, more abundant life.
Father, we want to learn the lessons You have set for us. We are not in this world just to make a living — but are here at Your school. You are giving us new lessons to learn each day. You would teach us to be patient, to be submissive to Your will, to trust You when the way is dark, to be true and faithful in all duty. We are not always good scholars. Sometimes we do not accept Your teaching. We do not submit ourselves to Your will. We do not trust — when we cannot see the way. Forgive our dullness and slowness in learning, and help us to take all our lessons more sweetly in the future. Teach us . . .
to do Your will,
to walk in Your ways,
to please You in all things, and
to grow into all spiritual beauty.
We ask now for personal blessings on the members of our family. You know each one’s particular needs. Grant to us that which will be the best blessing and favor. If any of us are careless, make us more careful. If any of us are in special danger of falling into temptation, or of making a mistake in a friendship — deliver us and bless us. We ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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