Praise. When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.-PROV. 3. 24. NOW the solemn shadows darken, Holy Saviour, Thou wilt hearken Look on us with loving eyes. Some are tried with doubts and dangers, Bring them back into the fold. Some in conflict sore have striven Change their mourning into song. By Thy passion in the garden, Set the sin-bound captives free. When our earthly day is closing, Give Thine own beloved sleep. Sarah Doudney. A Prayer. LMIGHTY and Most Merciful Father, we come to Thee this solemn evening-hour for pardon and healing. Graciously hear us. Sin and want we come confessing. Try us, O God, and search the ground of our hearts: prove us and examine our thoughts. Look well if there be any way of wickedness in us and lead us in the way everlasting. Grant us Thy peace-perfect peace-through the blood of the Cross. Blessed Saviour, love us that we may love Thee. Guide us that we may follow Thee. Live in us that we may live for Thee. Stand by us all the days, and abide with us every night, so that life with its cares and duties, its joys and sorrows, may be in Thee and for Thee. Holy Father, make and keep us strong-strong in body, that we may do our daily work cheerfully; strong in heart. serving the Lord; strong in love, loving Thee above all things, and loving our neighbour as ourselves; strong in faith, resting on the Word of Truth; strong in hope, with eyes ever fixed on the bow of promise; strong in patience, bearing our daily burdens and crosses without murmuring. Make us to know that all things work together for good to them that love God. May we be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Loving Father, for all the blessings of the light we thank Thee. Leave us not, but keep us and ours in peace and safety during the hours of night. The darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night shineth as the day. Be Thou our Refuge and Strength every day, and our portion for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of Thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Our Father, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. Praise. He shall give His angels charge over thee.-PSALM 91. 11. FATHER, by Thy love and power Light has vanish'd, labours cease, Meet Thy spirit-piercing view; BLESSED TRINITY, be near Through the hours of darkness drear; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Watch o'er our defenceless head; Joseph Anstice. Prayer. GOD, our Father, we draw near to Thee to-night with joy and gladness. How manifold are Thy works. The earth is full of Thy riches, and we are sharers in Thy bounty. Thou hast often spoken to us, and now Father, we Thy children, would speak to Thee. We come to make our wants and wishes known. For all Thy gifts, so freely supplied for body and soul, we praise Thee. As we think on past days and recall Thy leadings, we feel sure that Thou hast led us by the right way. Lord, still lead us on, that we may enter through the gates of righteousness into the Holy City. Too often. we forget Thy love, and transgress Thy law. Father, forgive us. May the blood of Thy Son, our Lord, cleanse us from all sin. Enable us to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. In the hour of trial may we hear Thee say "Fear not, My grace is sufficient for thee." Prepare us, O Lord, for the rest and worship of the Sabbath. May we see the good of Thy chosen, and rejoice in the gladness of Thy people. Pour out Thy Holy Spirit upon our Land, so that its people may remember Thy Sabbaths, and obey Thy Word. Gracious Father, bless us and our dear ones this night. With a conscience void of offence, may we rest in peace and safety under Thy loving care. Feed us with the bread of life, and put upon us the whole armour of God. Abide with us throughout our earthly pilgrimage, and at last bring us all to Heaven and Home, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Advocate. Amen. O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people which call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. Praise FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.-ST. MARK 10. 13. ESUS, tender Shepherd, hear me; Through the darkness be Thou near me; All this day Thy hand has led me; Let my sins be all forgiven; Bless the friends I love so well; O LITTLE child, lie still and sleep; Thou need'st not fear; No one need fear whom God doth keep Then lay thee down in slumber deep O little child, lie still and rest; He sweetly sleeps Whom Jesus keeps, And in the morning wakes so blest, Love every one; but love Him best; He first loved thee. My Father, hear my prayer Before I go to rest; It is Thy little child Who cometh to be blest. Until the morning light. L. M. Duncan. Anna Warner. Lord help me every day To worship and adore. Then look upon me, Lord, Who cometh to be blest. E.C.W. |