Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/169

 ward to that happy period when we shall become dwellers in the mansions of Thy blessedness, where we shall see more clearly into the wonders of Thy love and beneficence. O Lord Jesus Christ, as the wonders of Thy divine wisdom become more and more perceptible, as we become spiritually-minded, and as no one can be initiated into the mysteries of the divine love, except as the divine wisdom lead and instruct ("for no man cometh to the Father, but by Jesus Christ the Son"), we pray that our hearts may be so drawn unto Thee, that our affections may so constantly desire communion with Thee, that there be nothing to obstruct Thy mighty and blessed influence from entering into and possessing our souls, so that by it we may be enabled more clearly to discern between good and evil, between truth and falsehood; and thus, as Thy love possesses our wills, we may be endowed with power to contend against our evils, while our understandings, enlightened by Thy wisdom, shall disclose to us all the fallacies and subtleties of that which is false and erroneous; and through the influences of Thy Spirit we shall be rendered more submissive to Thy divine government and laws.

Look upon us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, during this day, protect and guard us from evil, and help us to keep Thee continually before our eyes, and grant that, as dutiful children, we may be obedient to all Thy ordinations, and feel that nothing can in reality injure us while we are under Thy divine protection. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, save us, we beseech Thee, from the fascinations and allurements of the world. If presumption did not make wicked men insane, how could they lift up their voice against their Maker? It is, "the fool that says in his heart, There is no God." O keep us from this spirit of pride and foolishness. Let not Satan have dominion over us; but by the power of Thy truth may we be able to put to silence the attacks of all our spiritual enemies.

Lord, we thank Thee for the gift of Thy holy word, and we pray Thee make us very grateful for the means taken to impart spiritual instruction unto us. While it is the duty of every head of a family so to rule his own house, that the fear of the Lord may be by all known and felt as the beginning of wisdom, it is the duty of all to be grateful for the particular instruction of those persons whom Thou, O God, hast permitted to watch over and instruct us; may we respect the pastor and the office he fills; may we listen with meekness to his admonitions, and repent of our evils, as he successively places those evils before us, remembering that he watches over our souls as one that must give account, that he may do it with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable unto us; and while he faithfully ministers unto us in spiritual things, O Lord, we pray Thee, give us hearts that we may help him in those which are temporal: "let him that is taught make his teacher partaker of all," remembering that he has no inheritance among his brethren, that Thy providence is his inheritance, and that what we render unto him we render unto Thee, O Lord. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, these holy and heavenly tempers, for Thine own name sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.