confirm the desire, and to impart the necessary strength. O make us grateful that Thy mercy never faileth, and may we be so convinced of sin that we may no longer tempt and grieve Thy Spirit. Help us to overcome the selfish principles of our nature, and to subdue those desires which alienate our affections from Thee. We ask this for Thine own name sake. O Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
O LORD God, our Saviour, who art the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, whose love is as boundless as Thy essence is infinite and eternal, we present ourselves before Thee at the close of another day, and desire to unite in thanksgiving and praise unto Thee, who alone hast protected and preserved us. O help us to attain those states of constancy and obedience which may render us stedfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we are assured that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.
Thy truth is the rock upon which we should base our strength; O establish our souls by the excellency of Thy word, and keep us from all those snares and temptations which would draw us aside from serving and loving Thee.
Thon knowest the power of the enemies against whom we have to contend; Thou knowest how powerfully our own corruptions plead for gratification, and how easily we are drawn aside of our own lusts: against the power of our enemies, and against our own besetting sins. Lord we have nothing to defend us, if Thy shield cover us not in the trial. O inspire us with humble confidence in Thy divine aid. May our spirits be encouraged by knowing that the Lord is nigh to all, and will deliver all that put their trust in Him. Lord, in Thee do we put our trust; suffer us not to be confounded. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
THURSDAY MORNING.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Lord God, to Thee alone we look, as God manifest in the flesh, the source of every present good, and our only hope for the attainment of everlasting happiness. Thou only art worthy of our adoration. Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power and has reigned, and unto Thee alone we humbly present our petitions.
Thou hast instructed us not to attempt hiding our sins from Thee, but to confess them before Thee; and if we confess our sins, Thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. O Lord, we confess that, as natural men, we too often attempt to justify our own evil courses, and if we cannot charge any earthly being as the cause of our sufferings, we too frequently presume even to lay the blame upon our Creator. How frequently do we murmur at Thy righteous dispensations, and even in our profane hearts enquire what we have done to call down such severe judgments upon us. We are indeed unworthy to utter Thy holy name, and so great have been our evils that we scarcely dare raise our eyes unto Thee. O give unto us
