Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/176



GOD of mercy, who seest the sorrows of Thy people, who knowest their sufferings, and putteth all their tears into Thy bottle, hear the prayers of Thy creatures now kneeling in Thy presence, and in the day of our trouble hide us under the shadow of Thy wings, in the secret chambers of Thy pavilion, and teach us to rely upon the name of the God of Israel for our defence. Thou hast indeed been our defence throughout all generations.

We have again experienced the power of Thy protecting providence during the night season, and Thou hast enabled us to awake with renewed health and strength. May Thy holy name be magnified, and may we, and all who experience Thy mercy, say continually, The Lord be magnitied.

When we reflect on the immensity of Thy greatness, we are constrained humbly to ask. Who by searching can find out God? Who can know the perfection of the Almighty? Above the heaven of heavens, what can we know, and extending to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills, how can we understand. Yet does the Lord our God accommodate Himself to the humble, and the wisdom of infinite perfection maketh itself known to the poor in spirit, developing the invisible things of God, and making them clearly seen; being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. O how wonderful is Thy loving-kindness unto us, equalled only by the extent of Thy wisdom, which ordereth and arrangeth for us, and for all the families of man dwelling in the universe of worlds. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THOU whose name alone is holy and reverend, help us, we beseech Thee, to approach Thy divine majesty in that lowly and reverent frame which becomes creatures dependent upon Thy bounty; and may a consideration of the true import which Thy name implies, bring us to Thy footstool in a spirit of piety and serious reflection, which shall show how glorious is the appellation we bear, and how justly careful we should at all times be not to compromise so great a dignity. Lord, we desire to thank Thee that we are created in Thine image, after Thy likeness. Our external form is one of dignity and of use, and as we exercise the powers Thou hast given us to the glory of Thy name and the good of our fellow-creatures, our internal becomes formed after Thy likeness in righteousness and true holiness. O impress upon us the necessity of so looking unto Thee for aid, that we may become holy as Thou art holy; and of this we are taught to feel assured, that as we draw nigh unto Thee, Thou wilt draw nigh unto us; Thou wilt lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, Thou wilt cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Amen.

Our Father, etc.