Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/137

 SEVENTEENTH WEEK. 125

it by spiritual support, so that we may see "all temptations are by Thy permission, but Thou canst strengthen us at any time and keep us from falling." Lord, make us grateful for the blessings and protection of the day, and let the eye of Thine omniscience guard us through the night. Into Thy hands we resign our spirits. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

HOU, O Lord, who didst scatter the manna round the Israelites' camp, art Thyself the true bread. Thou art the spiritual substance which feeds the souls existing in all the worlds revolving in the immensity of space. Thou art indeed the bread of life, and therefore do we daily pray, "Lord, evermore give us this bread;" and we hear Thee constantly, in answer to our petitions, exclaim, "Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you." O Lord Jesus Christ, "how great is Thy goodness, and how great Thy mercy; corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids." All the thoughts of the understanding shall be filled with the good of Thy love, while the affections of the will shall rejoice in the truth of Thy wisdom.

O help us to keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from speaking guile. Aid us to depart from evil and to do good; to seek peace and pursue it: so shalt Thou, O Lord, be ever near unto us, and shalt save us; and though many are the afflictions of the righteous, yet wilt Thou, the Lord, deliver him out of his distress.

Dedicating this day unto Thee, O Lord we go forth under Thy protection, bring us safely through its duties, for thine own name's sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, we humbly approach Thy mercy seat, to offer our united prayers at Thy footstool—nor would we pray for ourselves alone, but for all those who are in trouble, sickness, disease, and in danger of death. O may we ever be ready and willing to render our humble aid to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees.

Lord, teach us to look back upon the transactions of the past day, and see how they accord with the wise injunctions of Thy Word. May we search our hearts and ask. Have we performed our duties from a principle of conscience? Have we renounced unrighteous gain? Have we preserved our passions and appetites in due order? Have we endeavoured to keep our hearts with all diligence? May questions such as these bring us to a strict self-examination, and may we, as we see our evils, not only deplore them, but strive against them, and put them far away from us.

Lord God of our salvation, we bless Thee for the merciful providence, which, amidst all our short-comings, has attended us throughout this day. Thou hast indeed been mindful of us, hast watched over and preserved us. In our family circle, in our transactions with the world, we have to acknowledge Thy never-ceasing care. O fill our hearts with