Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/166

 Thy Word expostulating with us: "How shall I give thee up?" O Lord, we beseech Thee, pardon our iniquities; "Turn us unto Thee, and so shall we be turned; yea, turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved." May the fear of Thee constantly restrain us from doing evil; and may Thy love abide in us, and be the means of inducing a devout submission to Thy will.

O God, wheresoever Thou art among men, there Thy Church is; and Thou art willing to establish Thyself with man individually as with the Church collectively. May we never lose sight of Thy divine presence. There are times when Thou appearest to hide Thy face from us; times when neither comfort nor protection appear to be near to us. But these are only appearances, for Thou art never absent from us; it is when we sin and turn to evil gratifications that we turn from Thee and then imagine Thou hast forsaken us. Lord, teach us ever to seek Thy face, so shall we ever be directed by Thy providence. Thou wilt lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, and we shall be saved. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

ORD God of heaven and earth, Thou hast exhorted us to learn of Thee. O may we ever have before us Thy divine words, and apply them,—"I was an hungred and ye gave me meat, thirsty and ye gave me drink, sick and in prison and ye visited me, naked and ye clothed me; forasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me."

Assist us to live up to the spirit and life of these divine words. May we not trifle with the opportunities daily afforded us of doing good, but may we be watchful for opportunities of glorifying Thee in our bodies and in our spirits, which are Thine.

Most merciful Lord and Saviour, we desire to thank Thee that Thou hast restrained and upheld us by the right hand of Thy righteousness. Out of many dangers Thou hast safely brought us, and the difficulties which have crossed our path Thou hast enabled us to surmount. Not a day passes but Thy mercy is ever new towards us. O may we strive so to serve Thee that an inward perception of peace may be felt, that we may, with humble reverence, and gratitude feel that blessedness which has brought us to perfect resignation to Thy will; that our transgressions may be forgiven, our sins covered, and our iniquities not imputed unto us.

Lord, we glorify Thee for the privilege we have now enjoyed, and we commit our souls into Thy hands. Deal with us as Thou seest fit. Thon canst not do otherwise than well. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ. Thou hast exhorted us to take heed and beware of covetousness; for covetousness, we are assured by an apostle, is idolatry. We confess we have loved our own selfish delights more than to do Thy will. Our hearts are lifted up by vanity; we exult in our