Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/365

 and feeling the encouraging truth of Thy apostle, that "we can do all things through Christ Jesus that helpeth us." With this resolution and these hopes, Lord Jesus, we commend our souls to Thy gracious keeping. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

OST merciful Lord our Saviour, we humbly offer unto Thee the sacrifice of broken and contrite hearts. We have nothing else to offer. O that our hearts may be found overflowing with affection towards Thee, desiring nothing so much as a conjunction of life with Thee! O thet our hearts were so filled with love and gratitude, that our constant delight and desire was to do Thy will, O God! O that our tougues, like those of the angels, could show forth all Thy goodness to the children of men! But even the hearts of angels are incapable of showing forth all Thy love. Even the tongues of angels lack words to hymn forth all Thy praise! What, then, can we do, frail children of the dust? We can do nothing; for all that has been done for us exceeds the power of men or angels to offer any adequate return; and Thou requirest nothing but our love, our obedience, and a willingness to be guided by Thee; and this not for Thine own sake, but for ours.

Lord, help us to love Thee, and confide in Thee. Help us, that we may praise and adore thee with increased spirituality. Help us to surrender ourselves, all that we have and are, to Thy guidance. Let the Word of Thy truth, which we have read, be our counsellor through this day, and may its power render us strong to resist the temptations of our spiritual adversaries. Let the love Thou hast shown to us, be by us shown towards our fellow-men, and in all our thoughts, words, and actions, may we glorify Thee, the only wise God our Saviour. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

E praise Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all Thy marvellous kindness towards us. In all duties, in our very acts of nourishing the body, may there be a recollection of Thee, and grant that the soul may inwardly feel Thy constant presence, and constantly offer its devotions unto Thee. As we partake of the nourishment requisite for the body, may we imbibe some portion of Thy Word, and may it be in us as the True Bread, nourishing our souls unto evorlasting life.

As the business of the world exercises our hands, may our affections be engaged in labouring to secure Thy love; and may we, in our temporal duties, so feel Thy love impelling us in the direction of usefulness, that in even the ordinary duties of the world the love of Thee and of Thy kingdom may ever shine conspicuous.

Give to us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, a deep feeling of reverence for Thy Word of truth, and grant that it may be our constant guide in the house of our pilgrimage. May it be our guide to keep us in the straight and narrow way. When we are in doubt, may its promises clear our minds trom all anxiety, and give ua a steadfastness and an assurance