Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/357

 Many have beheld the light of this day, but have found no repose during the night. Many, with Job, have thought, "Our bed will comfort us," but have been tossed to and fro with care and pain, and bodily suffering, while we have reposed in security, have been strengthened for our duties in the world, and are now permitted to appear before Thee in health and sanity. O God, while we thank Thee for the great, the inestimable blessing of sleep, we pray Thee to visit the numerous families whose misfortunes, or whose sickness, or even whose vices, have kept them in states of wakefulness. We remember our own unworthiness, and yet we are freed from sufferings! We know not why this is permitted; we cannot see into the wonder-working power of Thy providence; we know that our transgressions are many, and that we deserve punishment for our sins, yet we are free from pain and others suffer. Is it wrong, O Lord, to plead a mitigation for their suffering; to pray that Thou wilt give rest to the weary, health to the sick, and a reformed heart to the vicious? No, it cannot be wrong, so long as we feel Thou art a God of love, and whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive, if it be proper for Thee to grant. We commit all to Thy good providence. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THOU that searchest the heart, and triest the reins, we draw near to Thee this evening. We know by the truth of Thy Word, that a divided heart Thou wilt not accept, and to draw near to Thee with the lips while the heart is far from Thee, can never bring us into communion with Thee; it is the entire heart Thou requirest—that for which Thou art pleading continually, that into which Thou art waiting to enter, in order that Thou mayest bless the receiver. Thy gracious words are, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will enter in and sup with him, and he with me." O merciful Father, assist us to be obedient to this divine call. Why dost Thou stand without, but because of our unwillingness to admit Thee? And whence does this unwillingness arise, but from a want of a just knowledge of self, a knowledge which we might acquire were we but obedient to the truths of Thy Word which we profess?

Lord, assist us to prepare our hearts for Thy glorious residence. Assist us to become child-like, and obedient to Thy divine exhortations; to renounce all anger and animosity, to put away everything deceptive, and to cast out avarice, fraud, violence, pride, and self-conceit; so that, by removing the servants of self, of sin, and the world, we may prepare our hearts for Thy divine abode. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

TERNAL and immutable Lord God, Thou alone art subject to no change. "The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," Thou art from everlasting, the wise, the just, the holy; and as is Thy wisdom, so is Thy will; Thou art equally unchangeable, because equally perfect.