Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/350

 Thou seest our inward condition; there is not a thought in our minds but lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou beholdest how wavering and unsettled are our affections, and how unstable we are in all our ways. Though we turn unto Thee, how seldom do we exclusively devote ourselves to Thy service! we halt between two opinions; we would serve Thee, but contaminate Thy service by mingling with it the ways of the world and the thoughts of mammon. Thus there is no spiritual soundness in us. Our whole head is sick, and our whole heart faint. O put forth Thy hand and touch us, that our spiritual diseases may be healed. As by the sense of bodily touch, communicating with the outward atmosphere, pure and healthy elements are united to the natural body, so do our communications with Thee bring us into an internal and spiritual atmosphere, which, being breathed into our souls, remove the stains of pollution and evil, and though our sins have been as scarlet, cleanses us, and renders us as white as snow. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, help us to draw nearer and nearer to Thee; for we feel that we cannot approach Thee, however remotely, in sincerity, without being rendered better; and as we successively detect by the light of Thy truth the evils that lurk within us, and by the power of Thy truth dislodge them, so dost Thou draw near unto us; for Thou art ever ready to help all that call upon Thee and in faith desire Thy aid. In Thee resides all the healing virtue of perfect love. To Thee the poorest and most wretched object may come and find acceptance, and hear Thy gracious words, "Thou art loosed from thine iniquity." Thou art no respecter of persons, the poor are at all times equally acceptable to Thee as the rich, and sinners are converted unto Thee; for to call sinners to repentance was one gracious object of Thy mission to our fallen race; and as Thou hast glorified and rendered divine every part of Thy humanity, so may the lowest of the low and the vilest of the vile find in Thee approaches to Thy glorious person, a very present help in time of trouble. Thy ready aid will be afforded to all who desire it, and Thy healing hand extended to all Thy suffering creatures. To Thee, O most blessed Saviour, do we address ourselves. Create within us a clean heart, and renew within us a right spirit, and restore us to spiritual health and soundness. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD God and Saviour, another week has been added to our lives, andas we labour in this world, so only can we be prepared for our spiritual state. Above all things, O Lord, impress us with the necessity of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that obedience to this divine precept will put us in possession of all needful blessings. Help us to banish from our souls all despondency and distrust; and if sorrow come upon us, and our spiritual adversaries by their evil influences strive to cast us down, so that our souls are melted because of