Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/277



OST merciful and glorious Lord God our Saviour, the morning calls us into Thy presence to offer our united thanksgivings for the refreshment of our bodies by sleep, and for their protection against the assaults of both natural and spiritual enemies. We have laid us down in peace, we have risen again; for Thou, O Lord, hast sustained us. We adore Thee for Thy protecting providence, and implore Thy divine blessing upon the labours and the duties of another week. Teach us, O Lord, not to be slothful in business, but by a faithful and diligent performance of our duties, may we evince our desire to fulfil the laws of charity.

Thou, O glorified Redeemer, art the truth. Thou art the glorious Sun of Righteousness. Thou hast manifested Thyself, and brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. Thou hast glorified Thy human nature, so that every one may enter into conjunction, and be one with Thee, as Thou art one with the Father, if he be obedient to Thy divine commands. Glory be to Thy holy name, O Lord Most High.

O blessed Lord our Saviour, how great is the privilege we enjoy in being permitted to know Thee as Thou art! to behold Thee as a God of love and truth, "keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and sin!" and oh, how great the privilege, to bear Thine own divine image, and to be capable of becoming a likeness of Thee!

We adore Thee, O Lord, for the gift of Thy Holy Word. In it Thou hast revealed Thy own perfections,