Thursday Morning.
MOST holy and ever to be adored Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, we approach with humility and reverence Thy throne of grace, knowing that Thou art ever waiting to be gracious. Lord, we thank Thee for all those mercies that we have, day by day, received from Thy bountiful hand. In all our trying states of temptation, when the natural mind labours amid the storms of self-love which threaten to overwhelm us, and we imagine that because in these our strugglings and warfare, Thou appearest as it were absent, and as stated in Thy word, "asleep in the hinder part of the ship" (intimating to us in this incident, Thy divine undisturbed tranquillity), yet, gracious God and Father of Thy children, we feel that whenever we sincerely call upon Thee, and ask Thy guiding hand to protect us in the struggle, and to shield us from danger, that Thou art always present to arise and rebuke the storm. At Thine omnipotent words, "Peace! be still!" the storm ceases, and gives place to the calm! all danger ends where confidence in Thee begins. In Thy presence there is everlasting safety and life! Gracious Saviour, we beseech Thee to surround us with Thy providence and blessing through this day: guard us from the infestations of evil spirits, and strengthen us to perform the duties which thy providence has assigned us.
Our Father, &c.
