Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/263

 upon Thee invests us in an invincible panoply, and under the shadow of Thy wings no weapons of the world can find a vulnerable part. Lord, we humbly pray for such a spirit as may bring us into willing obedience to Thy will, and teach us to feel that the wisdom of Thy providence cannot but conduct us safely to the end of the journey of natural existence. Safe in Thy protection, and humbly expressing our gratitude for the blessings and privileges of this day, Lord, we desire to resign our spirits into Thy hands. Do with us as best seemeth good to Thee, and may we, with resignation, exclaim, Let Thy will be done. Amen.

Onr Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, the great Captain of our salvation, we implore Thine assistance, that we may be enabled to engage in the conflicts which are necessary for our purification. Every day's experience convinces us that while Thy divine encouragement is extended, while Thy voice is constantly exclaiming, "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be thou not dismayed, I am thy God," our adversary, the accuser of the brethren, strives to excite the evil propensities within us, insinuating that they are too urgent to be withstood; that our nature is too frail and our selfishness too natural to engage in so unequal a conflict. O God of strength, suffer us not to trust in self; we feel that without Thee we can do nothing. Strong though our faith may be, it becomes powerless if destitute of that love which overcometh in all things. We feel our utter dependence on Thee. We believe Thy power, Thy omnipresent aid; O help Thou our unbelief.

Prone as we are to give our evil passions license, and weak as we are to resist the temptation, we can but overcome by constantly praying, "Lord, help us; we perish!" We acknowledge the truth of Thy apostle, "There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man;" but still when temptation comes we are ready to use the language of denial: "Woman, I know Him not," and thus to lose sight of the power who alone can deliver us. Heavenly Father, be near us during the present day, and grant that we may feel Thy presence, and be endowed with strength to endure unto the end. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

MONDAY EVENING.

BORD Jesus Christ, belp us when temptation asseile as to overcome by Thy strength; for there is no deliverance but by the arm of the mighty God of Israel. In the direst trials Thou are nearest to Thy auf, fering creatures, and stretehest forth Thy arm for their rescue and sal vation. " © merciful Redeemer, suffer us not to fall into donbt or despondency; to despair of Thy help, or to imagine thet we are too vile to deserve Thy interference. Sinful as we are and have been, if we repent aud turn unto Thee. Thou srt faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May we never cloak or attempt to hide our sins. May we remember that to give way to our evil propen-