Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/341



GOD of mercy, whose loving-kindness all Thy creatures are continually experiencing, we approach Thee this morning, humbly praying that Thou wilt cause Thy face to shine upon us, and that we may be enabled to pursue the duties of this day, so that, if spared to its conclusion, we may present ourselves before Thee with humble confidence.

In our approach to Thee this morning, we are sensible of Thy divine goodness. Thou condescendest to hold conversation with us. O help us to feel grateful for the privilege, and grant that the words of our lips and the meditation of our hearts may be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer.

Thy Word is unto us as our priest and prophet, continually reminding us of our duty—crying aloud unto us, sparing us not, showing us our transgressions and sins, and exhorting us to repentance and newness of life. And O how needful are these Thy constant appeals! for at our best state we feel how utterly unworthy we are, and how necessary it is that we should be kept in constant remembrance of the duties we so imperfectly perform. We confess we are self-satisfied and often self-righteous; and Thy Word justly condemns us. O Lord, help us to return unto Thee. Help us to do the work of repentance. We ask Thy divine aid, O Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

0 LORD Jesus Christ. Thon only just and true, help us to guard against

self-deception! How frequently are our religious exercises mere appearances of devotion! drawing near to Thee with our lips, how often our hearts are far from Theo! and while we profess to be mindful of Thee, how careless and negligent are we of the wents of our brethren, forgetting that our love and duty to Thee can only be effectually shown as we have love one to another. Alas! the sacrifices we offer ave far indeed from genuine worship,—the worship of the heart; and even our most solemn meetings-are often little better than sclemn mockery, and displays of self-love and self-righteousness. © Heavenly Father, wash us, make us clean, we boseech Thee. Assist us to put away the ovil of our doings from before Thine eyes. Assist us to loose the bends of wickedess, to undo the heavy burthens, to let the oppressed go free, to deal out our bread to the hungry, and to cover the naked with a garment. Assist ne to perform the perfect work of charity, both internally and externally, so that in our inture approaches to Thy footstool there may be more off the fervour of true spiritual devotion, and that our life and conversation may keep pace and be in accordance with our profession of faith. So shail Thy righteousness go before us, and glory be our xereward. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

E acknowledge, O Lord Almighty, that if left to ourselves, so prone are we to fall into sin and indulge in its direful gratifications, that