Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/228

 216 THIBTIETH WEEK.

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Lord, help us to enter, as we reat upon our pillows, into an examination of our souls, that we may thereby reflect how we have performed the duties of this day; and as our consciences reprove us of sin, may we look to Thee for help to resist every evil thought, and may we not only make, but strive to keep, resolutions of amendment. Helpless as we ate when stretched upon our beds, and more liable then, than at other times, to the agsaulta of our spiritual enemies, what could save us from their malice, bat Thy watchtulness and love? Yea. Thy 'love never sleeps."

We therefore commit our souls into Thy hands. Preserve us, we beseech Thee, for Thy mercy sake. O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, &c. .

TERNAL and omnipotent Lord, we, Thine humble and unworthy servants, blessed so much above our deserving, protected amidst the perils of the night, and permitted to rise in health and safety, draw near to Thy mercy seat; O "hear our prayer, and let our cry come unto Thee, our King and our God." After the blessings of the Sabbath, the refreshment of our bodies by sleep prepares us again for the labour of another week, and brings us before Thee to supplicate Thy divine aid that those labours may be faithfully and effectually performed. Upon Thee, O Lord, we depend for help in every time of need. Thou art the Father of our spirits; hold Thou us up, and we shall be safe.

Help us to acquire spirits of dependence and resignation to Thy will, that we may so bend to Thy providential dispensations as to submit to all Thy wisdom shall ordain or permit, not only without murmuring, but with cheerful resignation, as knowing that the infinity of Thy wisdom cannot but arrange all things for our present and future good. May we in truth pray that Thy will may be done.

In the prosecution of our various avocations may diligence distinguish us; never may we be slothful in business; but grant that this activity may not originate in the desire of worldly distinction, or in an undue anxiety to acquire wealth; but, as Thou knowest what we have need of before we ask Thee, we commit ourselves to Thee, and pray only for that which is needful. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

RACIOUS and holy Saviour, with gratitude and thankfulness we humbly approach Thee this evening. Thy divine and holy arm hath upheld us through this day, protected us in all our duties, and brought us again in peace and safety to our home; so that here are we enabled again to unite in worship, and with truth to exclaim, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us; the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."

Enable us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to enter upon an examination of our actions during the past day, so that those things which accuse us may be repented of, and we be enabled to serve Thee more faithfully for the future. O help us to keep our own state under constant review.