Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/356

 prayer, and unto Thee this morning we approach; we call upon Thy name: hear us, we beseech Thee, and instruct us in the duties which devolve upon us. Again have our bodies arisen from sleep. While we lay without sense, without animation, and destitute of any knowledge of danger that might approach us, Thou, Lord, didst watch over us; Thine eye beheld us, Thy hand averted every danger; and having refreshed our bodies, Thou hast permitted our eyes to open upon the cheerful light of day. For this we thank Thee, O Lord, and pray Thine aid to assist us in redeeming the time and serving Thee with greater fervour and spirituality. We confess with shame how slothful and inert we have been in the performance of our spiritual duties; how insensible we have been to Thy benefits, how void of feeling under Thy fatherly and righteous dispensations. Our love towards that which is good has too frequently been cold, yea, almost lifeless; and thus have we given way to temptation, and fallen into snares that threatened to overthrow or suffocate thy small remains of virtue left. Thoughtless of the eternity to which we were hastening, seemingly dead to the welfare of the immortal soul, we have stood on the verge of the eternal world in false security, and for many years neglecting the warning of the gospel: "This night thy soul may be required of thee." Lord, help us to awaken from torpor. "Help us to redeem the time, seeing the days are evil. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Almighty, our heavenly Father, how infinite in goodness and mercy art Thou! There is no limit to Thy love; and it is as universal in its operation as it is boundless in its extent. We have, during the past day, abundantly tasted of it. Thy temporal blessings have been showered down upon us: we have been fed abundantly with needful food; our bodies have been protected by warm and comfortable clothing; and now we meet in our quiet home; and all is the gift of Thy unwearied goodness. O teach us true gratitude for these Thy boundless favours.

But great as are Thy temporal gifts, greater still are those which are spiritual. The gift of Thy Word, full of the treasure of heavenly wisdom, it is impossible for us sufficiently to estimate. When we read its sacred truths, and feel the immensity of their value, we are constrained to break forth in adoring thanksgiving, while we say: "How precious are Thy thoughts unto us, O God, how great is the sum of them! they are more than can be numbered." Another great and precious privilege is the permission to approach Thee in prayer; to hold conversation with Thee; to lay bare our thoughts, and seek Thy counsel; to feel that we have a Father who takes an interest in all we think, act, and do, and whose great object is to shield us from suffering, and prepare us for the purer and nobler delights of the heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

NFINITE, omnipotent, and omnipresent God, Thou hast permitted us to arise from our bed, having refreshed our bodies by sleep.