Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/290

 278 THIRTY-NINTH WEEE. .

our severest afflictions, when Thy face appears hidden from us, and our faith grows feeble, and we bend under our burden. O refresh our spirits as Thon didst the early disciples; let us hear Thy consoling yoico, "I am with thee, I will be with thee even to the end of the world. When thou passest through the waters, I will not fail thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned." Blessed promises! may we dcpend upon them. Though Thon hast bidden us to ask, and hast 'promised ug we shall receive; it ig not that Thou needest to be entreated, but that we may be the better prepared to receive Thy blessings by fervently desiring and humbly seeking after them. Blessed Lord, fill us with humility and porerty of spirit; for this only can fili us with the true delights of wisdom. Boasting oan never bring us unto Thee; pride is one of the altars in the heart that must be thrown down; and the love of self and the world are the Midianites that must be overcome. Help us. O Lord, to entor upon the warfare against our corruptions; and may the sword of the Lord and of Gideon be with us in the spiritual warfare, until the good fight is completed. Amen. Our Father, etc.

LORD God and Saviour, as our contests with evil increase, may we receive from Thee increased power to meet them. If we are called upon to renounce station, or honour, or emolument, or land, or riches of any kind, may we with a ready and willing mind submit; and counting everything as dross, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, may we able to exclaim, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath permitted to be taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord." We feel that Christianity requires that we be strong in Thee, O Lord; and however weak we may be in ourselves, a faithful reliance upon Thy divine omnipotence gives us the assurance that, "as our day is, so shall our strength be." We pray, therefore, O Lord, that theogh we may be stripped of our earthly confidence, we may still have cause to trust in Thee. May we yield a willing and a ready obedience unto Thee.

Lord, we humbly raise our voices in supplication for all classes and conditions of men. May those who suffer upon the bed of languishing be visited by Thy consolution. O extend Thy healing hand unto them; assuage their pain, smooth the pillow of their affliction, and make all their bed in sickness. Visit those who sit in the darkness of idolatry, and let some rays of Thy truth fall upon them, as they are able to bear it. Bless Thy servant who ministers to us in spiritual things, and all our brethren who worship with us. May this family seek Thy face continually, and find Thee a very present help in every time of need. And may every family strive with increased determination to walk before Thee in newness of spirit, in singleness of eye, and purity of heart. Amen.

Onr Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, Thou hast glorified Thy humanity, so that every one, whether in the practice of simple goodness or of that which is