Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/19

Rh selves. Visit us, we beseech Thee, with sound and refreshing sleep, that our spirits may be renewed, and our bodies invigorated to go through the duties of the morrow. We ask all for Thy name and mercy sake, O Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

REAT and merciful Redeemer, without whom we can do nothing, we feel our insufficiency, our constant liability to err; to Thee, therefore, we look for help. O sustain us and hold Thou us up. Our confidence, our hope is in Thee; we more and more distrust our own power, we can do nothing of ourselves; be near to us, then, O merciful Father, and uphold us by the right hand of Thy righteousness.

We thank Thee for the comforts and refreshments of the past night. The day again calls us to our duties, and the feeling of happiness, ever in our bodily existence, demands our gratitude and love. We thank Thee for the Word of Thy truth which has been just read in our ears; for the assurance that deeds of usefulness are in themselves works of charity; so that if we this day labour with singleness of purpose, we shall indeed be charitably employed, and Thy blessing will rest upon our humble efforts.

But while we feel a sense of happiness for the comforts and pleasures of bodily health and usefulness. O may our hearts dilate with gratitude, for all our spiritual privileges. O help us to view these in their true light, and help us so to traverse the path of duty that our spiritual progress may be commensurate with the privileges we enjoy. May Thy Word dwell within us, and may it be in us a fountain of truth springing up unto everlasting life. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

OST merciful Lord God, our Saviour, assist us ever to keep Thee before our eyes; and whatsoever we do, may it be done in obedience to Thy divine injunction, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

O Lord, "what is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?" Unwearied in Thy love, Thy benefits have never ceased to flow unto us. And yet how cold and thoughtless have we been! we have too frequently resisted Thy grace, we have opposed the influences of Thy Spirit, and set our affections on the things of time and sense. We confess the guilt and folly of our past conduct. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts. Have mercy upon us! Cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Enable us to raise our minds by a contemplation of Thy glory, and especially of Thy love. May our desires after Thee be more fervent; our endeavours to serve Thee more steadfast and uniform: may our endurance of trial be evinced by greater patience, knowing that it will tend to work our purification.

O Lord, we desire to thank Thee for all the blessings of the past week,