Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/369

 For all the blessings of this day, Lord, make us grateful; and O continue Thy divine protection unto us through the night season. To the members of this family who are present, let Thy divine favour be continued, and may those who are absent be guided by Thy wisdom, and feel it a privilege to have their lives directed by Thy providence. And O grant that all the families of the earth may participate in the privileges of knowing, loving, and serving Thee; until at length the kingdoms of this world, shall become the kingdoms of Thee, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, "on those that fear Thy name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise, with healing in His wings.

Lord, let the fear of Thee be constantly before us; let Thy presence go with us this day, that we sin not.

Knowing how prone we are to trust in ourselves, and knowing that this trust must be always insecure, may we from henceforth rely alone upon Thee, and by looking to Thee continually, always have before us and with us the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Under a conviction that we are always in Thy presence, may we enter upon our duties, and may we by our example and authority so train our children and our domestics that they too may live under the influence of Thy love and fear. May the elders of this family feel that Thou requirest truth in the inward parts; and may this be so imparted unto those who are entering upon the government of themselves, that their hearts may be prepared and consecrated as temples in which the God of truth may take up His abode. Finaily, O Lord, may the youngest as well as the oldest in this family bless and praise Thy holy Name for the privileges we enjoy. When we go forth to our labour, may we lift up our hearts with our hands to Thee in the heavens. When we return from our labour, may we be enabled to say, from a happy experience, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. Amen

Our Father, etc.

LORD our heavenly Father, amidst every enticement to worldly gratification, yea, while we participate in worldly enjoyments, still may the voice of Thy truth whisper to our souls, "Set thine affections on things above;" "Here thou hast no abiding city;" "This is not thy rest."

Ever may we remember, "Thou God seest us." Ever may Thy presence go before us, that we sin not. We have need perpetually to keep Thee in remembrance, for if our thoughts or affections be withdrawn from Thee we speedily fall into evil. But, O Lord most merciful, O God most righteous, Thou knowest our incapability and our foolishness; Thou hast seen our best resolutions, even those made with the sincerest intentions of fulfilment, give way before the seducing pleasures of the world.