08.01. First Week
FIRST WEEK
SUNDAY MORNING.
"With joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3
O Merciful and Gracious God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I draw near to You in His name. Look not upon my manifold sins — but look upon Him, my righteous Advocate. For His sake turn away Your anger from me, and behold me in loving-kindness. Lift up the light of Your countenance upon me. Teach me evermore to rejoice before You, and to praise You with my whole heart.
O Heavenly Father, I praise and bless You for this Your holy day. It is a token of Your great love toward me. I bless You for the help You afford me by these days of rest and worship. O may I use them faithfully! Give me a delight in Your house of prayer. Give me grace to call upon You in spirit and in truth. Holy Father, quicken me that I may give earnest heed to Your Holy Word, and write its precious lessons on my heart. Stir up my soul that I may sing Your praise with joy, and may I find by experience that a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. O give me in rich measure the grace of Your Spirit, and let me draw water with joy out of these wells of salvation.
O loving Savior, this day draw me closer to Yourself, and make me love You more and more. Show Yourself unto me, that I may increase in the knowledge of You and of Your salvation. I thank You that You have died in my stead. I thank You than You have risen again to save me by Your life. I thank You that You are ever pleading my cause at the Father’s right hand. Teach me to trust You utterly. You will save me even to the uttermost. O Lord, perfect that which concerns me, and forsake not the work of Your own hands.
O Almighty God, who alone does great marvels, send forth upon Your Church the healthful Spirit of Your grace. Bless abundantly the congregations of Your people. Give unto Your ministering servants spiritual wisdom, reality, and power. Endue them with boldness and love, and enable them to exalt and glorify Your Son Jesus Christ. Let the dew of Your Spirit rest on the congregation with whom I worship.
O Father, build up and strengthen Your people in Your fear and love. Guide the anxious ones to the Savior’s footstool. Make Your arrows sharp in the hearts of Your enemies, and awaken every sleeping conscience. And now, Lord, be with me all through this day. Make it a resting-place where I may gain strength for the coming week. Make it a step upward toward Your rest above. Hear me, O Lord God Almighty, and grant me all my petitions, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
SUNDAY EVENING.
"He fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks." Luke 17:16
O Heavenly Father, receive me once more to Your favor this night. Another holy Sabbath has quickly passed. Accept the worship I have this day offered in the name of Jesus. Bless me, even me, before I go to rest, and lift up the light of Your countenance upon me.
O Lord Jesus, my gracious Master, I would now come to Your footstool. I thank You for all Your love, and I cast myself entirely on Your mercy. O Savior, I come to You, as I would ever come, poor and needy, and with nothing in myself but sin and evil. Take me as I am, and make me all You would have me to be.
Blessed Lord, at Your feet I would confess the many sins of this day. You have given me great privileges — but I have not used them as I ought. You have given me Your house of prayer — but I have often come before You with a wandering heart.
O forgive my lip-service. Forgive my dullness and forgetfulness in hearing Your word. Forgive the coldness of my heart when singing Your praise. O pardon every sinful thought that has defiled my soul this day. Freely cleanse me from every evil thing in the fountain of Your precious blood. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow! Give me true and godly sorrow for all that is past. Then, Lord, speak peace to my soul. Say to me this night, "Go in peace; your sins are forgiven!"
O Lord, be my Teacher. By Your Holy Spirit write upon my heart the lessons I have this day heard outwardly with my ears. Recall to my memory what may have been forgotten. Fix as a nail in a sure place, whatever truth I need for my soul’s profit. Teach me the importance of eternal things. Show me more of my exceeding sinfulness. Open the eyes of my understanding that I may know You more perfectly, as all my salvation and all my desire.
O Lord, I beseech You, let Your continual pity cleanse and defend Your Church. Draw forth the graces of Your people. Fill them with faith, love, hope, and zeal. Free them from all worldliness and unbelief, and make them active and diligent in doing Your work. Breathe Your quickening Spirit upon those dead in sin, that they may arise to love and serve You. Build up Your true servants in the knowledge and faith of Your Son. Look in mercy on all I love, and lead every one of them to the Savior’s footstool. O hasten the day of His appearing, and may Your children ever be looking forward to that blessed hope.
O Savior, keep me henceforth very near to You. All through the coming week may I see You ever by my side. Let no cloud come between. May I strive to please You in all things. May I practice what I have learned in Your courts, and may I shine as a light in an evil world. O help me still to praise and glorify Your name, and to give You thanks forever. Hear me, and grant me exceeding abundantly above all I ask or think, for Your name’s sake.
MONDAY MORNING.
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Psalms 23:1
O God, my Creator, my Preserver, my Father in Christ Jesus, I bless You for Your loving care of me during the past night. I bless You for another day in which to serve You. Your mercies are new every morning. You never fail to guard and keep those who trust in You.
O give me the spirit of true thankfulness. I praise You, O my Father, for every day of health and comfort which You have given me. I praise You for relations and friends, and whatever kindness I have received from them. But I praise You most for Your love in the gift of Jesus. May I prize Him above all things, and may I love Him with my whole heart.
O Good Shepherd, who came to seek and to save the lost, be my Shepherd, Redeemer, and Friend. Seek Your servant, whenever I go astray from You. Fetch me back, whenever I turn away from following You.
O Savior, lead and guide me all through the coming week! Make Your way plain before my face. Deliver me from every snare and danger. Chasten and correct me, if it is needful. Only leave me not to follow the sinful devices of my own heart. Show me what I ought to do, and every hour give me grace and strength to do it. Help me continually to trust in You for all I need, and may I ever love You and keep Your commandments.
I thank You, O Lord, that You have laid down Your life for Your sheep. Bestow on me all the benefits of Your death. Let Your cleansing blood remove each guilty stain. Break the bonds of every sin, and set me free to serve You with gladness. Send to me Your Spirit to abide always in my heart. As You have given Yourself for me, may I give up all to You and follow You faithfully all the days of my life.
O Lord Jesus, have mercy upon those who are wandering far from Your fold. You know how many are living without You and without hope in the world. O turn their hearts back again, and bring them to Yourself. Give them true repentance, and make them to hate the sins they have loved. O bring the lost and perishing to Your footstool, and make them know the blessedness of Your believing people. O God, hear these my humble petitions. Grant to me whatever You know I need that I have failed to ask. Grant unto me pardon and peace. Cleanse me from all my sins, and may I serve You with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
MONDAY EVENING.
"Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Genesis 5:24
Almighty and Everlasting God, whose name is Holy, I would humbly come to Your footstool this night. I am frail and feeble, but You are great and glorious. I am vile and sinful in Your sight, but You are of purer eyes than to behold evil. O give me true humility! Give me a broken and a contrite heart! Make me to know my iniquity and my sin! O Father, I have sinned against You, and am no more worthy to be called Your child. But receive me graciously and love me freely, for Jesus’ sake. Through Him may I ever rejoice in You as my Father and my God.
O my Father, I bless You that You invite me to walk with You! Teach me the greatness of this privilege! May I ever see You close at hand, and believe that You are ever with me. Keep me near to You all the day long. Stir up my heart often to speak to You in prayer, and speak to me by Your Word and Your Spirit. May I taste and see how good You are! Continue Your favor and loving-kindness to me. Fill me with all joy and peace in believing. May I abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
O Almighty God, renew me day by day by Your Spirit. Change me into Your own image. Sweeten my temper, and may I never grieve Your Holy Spirit by bitter and angry words. Cleanse and sanctify my thoughts, and purify me from everything that is evil. Give me a single eye to Your glory. May I ever please You in will and deed. May it be my delight to do Your will, and to finish the work You have put into my hands.
O blessed Savior, keep me from all doubt and unbelief. Keep me firm on the Rock of Ages. You know, O Lord, that I am often cast down and discouraged. My sins are too strong for me. My heart is cold and prone to wander. I fail to make progress as I desire. But teach me, Lord, still to cleave to You. Without You I can do nothing. You are the Savior of sinners, and as a sinner I come to You. O cast me not away from Your presence. Take not Your Holy Spirit from me. As a branch in the Vine, may I abide in You.
O Lord Jesus, I would trust You without wavering. I leave myself in Your hands. Let Your grace be sufficient for me, and make Your strength perfect in my weakness. O Savior, keep me to the end. Where You are, Lord, may Your servant be! While here below, show me Your salvation, and enable me to live for You. When my days on earth are passed, may I see Your face and be with You where You are in Your glory. Fulfill, O Lord, these my petitions, and keep me and all I love through this night and evermore, for Your name’s sake.
TUESDAY MORNING.
"Whatever you shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified In the Son." John 14:13.
O Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto You do I lift up my eyes. May I seek You this morning with my whole heart. Quicken me, and I shall call upon Your name!
I bless You, O my Father, for each gracious promise You have given me. I bless You that whatever I ask in Your Son’s name and according to Your will — You will give it. Stir me up to desire spiritual blessings. Help me to pray in faith, and then open wide Your good treasure and give me beyond all I ask or think. Fill me with Your fullness in Christ Jesus. Bless me and make me a blessing in Your Church.
O Heavenly Father, give me a deep sense of my own sinfulness, and teach me to place all my hope in the death of Your Son. I thank You that You have given Him to be both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life. Grant, O Lord, that I may trust only in His finished work, and evermore walk in His footsteps.
O Holy Savior, fill me with Your Spirit, and teach me to follow You. O form in me the same mind which shone so brightly in You! Renew me in Your own image! Make me meek and lowly in heart. May I ever be ready to take the lowest place, if only I can glorify You or comfort Your sorrowing ones. O Man of prayer, give me the spirit of prayer, and make me constant in this blessed duty. Forgive my frequent weariness and wanderings in drawing near to You. Whenever I fail, O let Your Spirit help my infirmities, and enable me to pray and not to faint.
Merciful Father, who has made all men, and hates nothing that You have made — have compassion upon all the creatures of Your hand. Remember in mercy Your ancient people, the Jews. Take from them all hardness of heart, and bring them in faith to the Savior’s footstool. Pour out Your Holy Spirit on the nations who know You not. Send to them the light of Your Gospel, and dispose them to receive it in faith and obedience.
O Lord, be with me through this day, and every day of my life. Hold me up — and I shall be safe. Stretch out Your hand, and lift me up whenever I fall. O Father, may I see You at my right hand, and ever walk before You with a good conscience. Keep me and uphold me unto the end, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
TUESDAY EVENING.
"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says unto you, ’Give me a drink’ — you would have asked of Him, and He would have given you living water!" John 4:10.
O Almighty God, You never fail to help and govern those who trust in You. I bless You for Your care and love through another day. I thank You that You have given me food and clothing and all I need. O Father, in Your good providence, You care for all Your creatures. Not a sparrow is forgotten before You. But I thank You for Your special care for those redeemed by the blood of Your Son. Come very near to me this night. Place beneath me Your everlasting arms. Guard me from all evil, and let no harm come near my dwelling place.
O merciful Father, I need continually Your forgiving mercy. Pardon whatever You have seen in me which is contrary to Your will. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity in the atoning blood of Jesus. May His death answer for all my guilt. May I lie down this night at peace with You and with all the world.
O Lord Jesus, may I know You as the only Savior of sinners. You are the Fountain of grace and salvation. Give me the living water which You have promised to those who ask You. I want to love You more, and serve You better, day by day. O merciful Redeemer, bestow on me Your Spirit in larger measure. Let Your grace be with me as a well of water, springing up to everlasting life. Make me to hunger and thirst after You, and then abundantly satisfy every desire. O fill me with Your fullness, Lord, and put gladness in my heart, even the joy of Your salvation.
O Lord, grant that I may become a blessing to others. May I glorify You, by doing Your will and walking in Your footsteps. Give me boldness to confess Your name, and may I never be ashamed of Your Word.
Out of the abundance of my heart, may I tell others of Your love. Bless me with Your favor, and make me a blessing in Your Church. Gracious Father, this night I commend to You myself and all I love. Remember in Your mercy, all those who dear to me. Be near to all beneath this roof. Make us wholly Yours. Deal tenderly with those in any sorrow or adversity. Make their trials work together for their good. Teach them by these earthly troubles, to make You their continual Refuge. O Father, hear these my humble supplications, and when You hear, forgive, and save me, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
"I will be careful to live a blameless life — when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home." Psalms 101:2
O my God, my Father, draw near to me this morning, for I need Your help. I have nothing of my own but misery and sin, but in Jesus is my hope. Ever look upon Him, my righteous Advocate, and for His sake behold me in Your favor and loving-kindness. As Your forgiven and accepted child, make Your face to shine upon me. Keep me, O Father, from all evil, and help me to walk before You all the day long.
O merciful Redeemer, the Friend of sinners, come to me and abide with me continually. Come to me in the morning, and enlighten me with the bright beams of Your love. Come to me at noon, and keep me calm and quiet in the midst of life’s duties. Come to me at evening, and enable me to rest in peace beneath the shadow of Your wing. O Savior, be near to me at all times, wherever my lot is cast. Ever take up Your abode in my home. Sanctify it by Your presence. Give unto us the peace that surpasses understanding. Drive away all strife and disputing, and make us all to be of one heart and mind in Your fear.
O Lord Jesus, my gracious Master, forgive me wherever I have failed in my duty. Save me from evil tempers and from everything that would injure those about me. Keep me from a sullen or murmuring spirit. Make me ready to forgive when others speak hastily or unkindly. May I not be easily provoked, but patient and gentle towards all men. O make me in everything like Yourself, and let Your Spirit ever dwell within me. Subdue within me whatever is amiss, and fill me with unselfish love to every one beneath this roof.
O Father, bless all my relations and friends. If any are yet far from You, O bring them near through the blood of Your Son. If any are in sorrow and trouble, cheer and comfort them. If any are near to death, prepare them for their latter end, and bring them safely to the land of everlasting life, there to dwell with You forever and ever.
I thank You, O merciful God, for all Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me. I bless You for all the benefits I have received at Your hands. O continue to me Your goodness and favor, and teach me evermore to praise You, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me — and I give unto them eternal life." John 10:27-28.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, and hear my prayer this night. You never slumber nor sleep; O be my Keeper through the hours of darkness. Preserve me from all evil. Whether I wake or sleep, be ever near me as my Helper and my Friend.
I beg You, precious Savior, feed and nourish me in the green pastures of Your truth. Make me to love Your word and to search continually for the treasures it contains. May I ponder Your promises, and practice all Your precepts.
O Blessed Jesus, may I know You as my Shepherd, and hear Your voice, and follow You. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Make me ready to hearken to the faintest whisper of Your Spirit, or to the least warning of conscience. Manifest Yourself to me as I read Your Word, and draw me closer to You by the cords of Your love.
O Holy Savior, teach me evermore to follow You, and to walk day by day in Your footsteps. Clothe me with humility, and make me meek and lowly in spirit. Fill me with holy charity, and dispose me ever to be forbearing and forgiving toward all. Destroy in me all selfishness, and make me thoughtful for the happiness of others. In every trial, make me patient and submissive. In the darkest hour, teach me to hope in God. Give me strength according to my day, and let no temptation come to me which I am not able to bear.
O Lord, teach me to remember the blessedness of Your fold above. You will give eternal life to those who follow You. You will lead them to living fountains of waters, and shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. O bring me safe to that blessed rest!
O God, keep me from the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Lead me onward day by day, and fit me for Your Presence. Guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
O Father, let Your choicest blessings be poured on those I love. Make them Yours, and keep them Yours forever. Comfort them in sorrow, and bring them through every trouble to Your everlasting kingdom, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
THURSDAY MORNING.
"The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him." Ezra 8:22
O Lord God of Heaven, I come to seek Your face this morning. I bless You for Your watchful care through another night. I bless you that You have raised me up in health and strength to serve You today. O may I serve You with a willing mind. May it be my food to do Your will.
Most loving and merciful Father, forgive me all my sins, negligences, and ignorances. Cleanse me from all guilt in the precious blood of Christ. Give me a quiet conscience through the assurance of Your pardoning mercy. Though I have often strayed from You, receive me back to Your favor. Cover me with the robe of Your Son’s righteousness. Satisfy my soul with good things. Lift up the light of Your countenance upon me, and keep me henceforth in the paths of holy obedience.
O merciful God, let Your hand ever be upon me for good. Defend me from all the assaults of the enemy. You know the cunning wiles of the devil. You know how prone I am to depart from You. preserve me, O Lord, day by day, from every temptation and snare. Keep me from all appearance of evil. Make me sincere and truthful in all I say. Keep my tongue from uttering any word which will injure another. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by Your Holy Spirit. Sweeten my temper, and subdue my will. Do not allow me to follow the pomps and vanities of this present world. Teach me, O Lord, to lay up treasures in Heaven, and to seek those pleasures which are at Your right hand for evermore.
Heavenly Father, look down in mercy on Your Church in this land. Make us to be a nation fearing You and working righteousness. Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but guide the just. Raise up faithful witnesses for Your truth, and may such as preach Your Gospel be filled with Your Spirit. Turn the hearts of those who reject Your Word, and make them truly to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ.
I beg You, O merciful Father, to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger or in trouble. Defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all that are desolate and oppressed.
O God, accept these my prayers and supplications, and guide me this day and always in Your faith and fear, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
THURSDAY EVENING.
"I am the Lord your God — open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalms 81:10
O Merciful God and Father, receive me to Your care this night. I have too often forgotten You. I have lived too much for this present world. But I beg You, O my Father, forgive me all that is past, and give me a holier mind. Sprinkle me this night with the blood of Christ, and breathe into my heart Your quickening Spirit! Lift up my thoughts to Yourself. Draw me — and I will run after You. Keep me henceforth in Your fear and love, and make me wholly Yours.
O God, who is plenteous in mercy and truth, give me, I beg a larger measure of Your grace of You. You give to all men liberally and upbraid not. O deal bountifully with Your servant! O Lord, You are my God, and You have bidden me open my mouth wide. I ask of You great things. Fulfill me with Your grace and blessing. Give me stronger faith. Help me to trust You always and in everything. Whatever cares or sorrows oppress me, O teach me to rely upon You! Give me a more fervent love to You. May the love of Christ constrain me, and may His name ever be precious to my soul. O give me large-hearted charity. Rid me of all selfishness, and make me ever ready to do good to others. Cheer me with brighter views of my heavenly Home, and quicken in me a lively hope of Christ’s appearing.
O Heavenly Father, show me my own poverty and emptiness, and evermore fill me out of the fullness which is in Christ. Let Your Spirit work in me mightily. Humble me in the sense of my own sins and shortcomings, but teach me to rejoice always in Christ and in His perfect righteousness. Sanctify me through Your Word, and cleanse me from every secret sin.
O gracious Redeemer, keep me through another night in peace and safety. Be my hiding-place and my shield, and let Your mercy embrace me on every side. Even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, protect and shelter all I love. Bless all my relations and friends.
O Lord, be near to me evermore. I thank and praise You for all Your love to me in past days. Abide with me still. Save me from every snare and temptation, and when You come again, may I be made like unto You in Your eternal and glorious kingdom. O fulfill these my hearty desires, for Your name’s sake.
FRIDAY MORNING.
"There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
O God of love and peace, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I come again to You this morning. Uphold me this day with Your righteous right hand. Strengthen me according to Your Word. Leave me not, neither forsake me, but keep me from falling, and lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.
O Lord, I beseech You, let Your Holy Spirit ever rest upon me. Take from me the heart of stone, and give me the heart of flesh. Give me a clearer view of my past sins, and make me grieve that I have so often dishonored You. Enter not into judgment with Your servant, but for Jesus’ sake cast all my sins into the depths of the sea!
Gracious Savior, teach me to trust wholly in Your precious name. Without You I am undone. I have no merit but Yours. I have no righteousness but Yours alone. I have sinned — but You have died. I am altogether without excuse, but You plead for me. In You, the Father is ever well pleased.
I flee to You, O merciful Redeemer, as my only Refuge. You are able to save to the uttermost, and will never cast out any who come to You. Receive me, and make me wholly Yours. When the burden of sin oppresses me — give me peace through Your blood. When life’s troubles weigh upon me — give me rest in Your care. When I am tempted to do wrong — aid and support me. Bring me safely through every danger to the Home prepared for those who love You.
I now commend myself to Your care through the coming day. Merciful Father, go forth with me to the duties which lie before me. Whatever I do, may I do all to Your glory. Give me good success in whatever I undertake, and may I cast all my care on You, for You care for me. Hear me, O Lord, I humbly beg You, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
FRIDAY EVENING.
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23
O God the Father of Heaven, mercifully receive me this night. I praise and bless You for Your goodness and Your grace. Still let Your mercy follow me. Regard me in Your tender love, for I do not trust in my own righteousness, but in the name of Jesus. For His sake, welcome me to Your favor, and grant me all that I need. O Father, give me a praying heart. Grant me the spirit of grace and supplication. Those who worship You must worship You in spirit and in truth. O help me thus to draw near to You. Quicken me, that I may seek You earnestly. Increase my faith, that I may come to You with confidence and hope. Whenever I kneel down to pray, keep me from wandering thoughts. May I behold You near at hand to hear my prayers. Whatever I ask of You according to Your will, may I receive through Him who ever lives to intercede for me.
O God, the God of all grace, may I fervently desire more of Your love! As the deer pants after the water brooks — so may I thirst after You, my God! O give me to drink abundantly of You, the Fountain of living waters! May I ever trust Your promises, and delight myself in Your salvation! Day by day may I know You better, and cleave to You with my whole heart!
O God, another day is past — and all my days and years will soon be gone. Teach me to remember that my time is short. I know not what a day may bring forth. O teach me to live for eternity! Whatever my hand finds to do, may I do it with my might! May I use every gift in Your service. May I please You at all times both in will and deed. Like the Savior, may I go about doing good. Trample selfishness and sloth under my feet, and make me diligent and active in Your service.
Heavenly Father, You have bidden us make prayers and supplications for all men. Have mercy upon all who are set in authority over us. Endue them with Your Holy Spirit, and enrich them with Your heavenly grace. Guide the rulers of Your Church, and make them wise in ordering all its affairs. Rid our land of all error and unbelief. O God of love, may the pure light of Your Gospel shine brighter and brighter, and may multitudes be brought into the fold of the Good Shepherd.
Increase among us true religion, and pour down upon our country showers of blessing. Grant this, O merciful Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
SATURDAY MORNING.
"Your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8.
O Lord God of Israel, there is none like You in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath. You are the true and living God. You are the High and Holy One who inhabits Eternity. Help me this morning to worship You with reverence and godly fear. Fill me with holy awe as I approach Your Divine Majesty. Bring me very near to You, O God, as my reconciled Father in Christ Jesus. In His name may I come to You as Your child, crying, Abba, Father. May I believe Your promises, and rest in Your care. You know what things I have need of before I ask — and You are able and willing to give me every good thing.
Give me, O Father, health, and comfort, and success — as far as You see best for me. Remove each trial and burden which is too heavy for me to bear. Grant me above all things, the continual aid of Your Spirit. Let the fruits of the Spirit be more and more manifest in me. Grant me love, joy, peace, and longsuffering in increasing measure. Strengthen my faith exceedingly, and keep me from ever doubting Your goodness or Your grace.
O Lord Jesus, set up Your kingdom in my heart. Cast down every idol from Your throne. Subdue every sin and evil passion, and rule in righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Your faithful soldier and servant, may I fight under Your banner, and do what lies in me to turn sinners from their evil way. I beg You, O Lord, put forth Your mighty power, and hasten Your kingdom. Send out Your Spirit, and let Your Word have free course and run and be glorified. Raise up faithful and devoted messengers of Your truth, and let the name of Jesus be everywhere spread abroad. Breathe upon dead souls, that they may live. Direct and guide those who are seeking You. Strengthen and build up Your own people, and may they glorify You by holy and consistent lives.
Almighty God, my Heavenly Father, I heartily thank You for the knowledge of Your grace, and for all the manifold blessings You have given me. May I live this day in remembrance of Your love. May I praise You, not only with my lips — but with my life. Make me zealous in good works, keep me from all sin and evil, and fill me with Your grace and blessing, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
SATURDAY EVENING.
"He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall find mercy." Proverbs 28:13.
O Almighty God, who searches the hearts of men, I would draw near to You this night in sincerity and truth. O Lord, You know what I am and what I have done. May I hide nothing from You! Search and prove me, and what I do not see — teach me.
O Father, I confess with shame the many sins of the past week. I have been an unprofitable servant. I have loved the world far too much, and have not sought Your glory in all things. I have left undone the things I ought to have done, and have done the things I ought not to have done, and there is no soundness in me. Most merciful God, I beseech You, do not deal with me after my sins, nor reward me according to my iniquities. Give me true repentance. Create in me a new and contrite heart. Forgive all my sins, negligences, and ignorances through the Savior’s blood. Endue me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit, that I may amend my life according to Your Holy Word.
O Lord Jesus Christ, my only Hope and Savior, I look to You this night, and cast myself entirely upon Your mercy. You died that I might live. You are even living at the Father’s right hand to plead my cause. I would fix my eye on You alone! To whom but to You can I go, for You have the words of eternal life! Be my Refuge and my Hiding place, in life and in death.
O Lord, prepare me for the Great Day of Your coming. Teach me to follow You in all holiness of living. Give me victory over the temptations of the world, and enable me to mortify the deeds of the body. Free me from all sloth and self-indulgence, and make me zealous in every good word and work.
O Heavenly Father, give me quiet rest this night, and may I awake in the morning to praise You with joyful lips. Prepare the hearts of all Your children to worship You in Your house. Bestow upon them an abundant measure of Your Spirit. May Your courts be filled on the morrow with true worshipers, and may the word of Your salvation lead many to Yourself. Look mercifully on all whom I love, especially. Turn their footsteps into the narrow path, and lead them in the way everlasting. O God, hear these my humble petitions, for Jesus Christ’s sake.