Lord, take the charge of me during the silent watches of another night. May I rise on the morrow to renew my work and warfare on earth, looking forward to the time when the twilight of this world shall melt into everlasting day, and when nothing shall evermore mar or interrupt the blessedness of endless communion with Thee: through Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Saviour. Amen.
"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS
INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."
SEVENTH EVENING.
FOR QUICKENING GRACE.
"Quicken me after Thy loving kindness, so shall I keep the testimony of Thy mouth."—Psalm cxix. 88.
O God, on this the close of another day, I desire to approach the footstool of Thy throne. Glory be to Thy holy name that I can enjoy freedom of access into Thy presence, and with the confidence of a child unburden and unbosom to Thee all my wants and sins, my sorrows and infirmities, my perplexities and cares.
Lord, how unworthy I am of the least of all Thy mercies! What righteous cause hast Thou to cut me down as a cumberer of the ground. How cold my love, how unfrequent my prayers! How full my heart of pride and vain-glory, self and sin! How little have I habitually realized Thy nearness and sought Thy favor as my chief good! There is enough of coldness and formality in my best approaches to Thy footstool to lead Thee in Thy wrath to spurn me forever away, and to mingle my blood with my sacrifices!
I cast myself as a worthless unworthy sinner at the feet of Jesus. I need daily, hourly washing at that fountain which He has opened for sin and for uncleanness. Wash me, gracious Lord, fully, freely, and forever. Let me know the blessedness of "no condemnation." Deepen my contrition on account of my sin. I am apt to palliate its enormity, to invent vain excuses for its commission, to hide its heinousness from myself, and to hide it from Thee. Let me see all sin, and my own sin in particular, in the light of Calvary's cross. May I hate it with a perfect hatred, and resolve in Thy grace that it henceforth have no dominion over me. Oh quicken me by the indwelling of Thy blessed Spirit. May I seek to be progressing in the divine life. May my pathway heavenward be brightened by a lively sense of reconciliation through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Let me lean on Thy heavenly arm, seeking Thy glory with singleness of eye. May it be my greatest grief to give Thee pain, my greatest joy and happiness to do Thy will. Keep me from all hard thoughts and unrighteous surmises regarding Thy dealings. May I see them all as designed to quicken my steps in the heavenly way, to bring me nearer Thyself, and to impart an increasing meetness for glory. Let Thy kingdom come, let Thy blessed Gospel triumph over the pride and superstition and will-worship of man. Put an end to war and discord, and may all the ends of the earth see Thy salvation. Bless Thy ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth, and have no fear but the fear of God.