Prayer CXXVI

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Help us! that we may indeed abide in the secret place of the Most High, and so ever be at rest, and safe beneath the shadow of the Almighty. We would make Thee our refuge; we would flee from ourselves, from vanity, from all the cares and sorrows, and even from the brightnesses and the joys of this fleeting show, to Thyself, Who art, while these things only seem to be.

We bless Thee for the unseen and eternal dwelling-place of spirits; and ask that Thou wouldst help us not to make this world, or anything in it that passeth away, the anchorage, the refuge, the home of our hearts. Teach us, we pray Thee, how to set our love upon Thee, and then fulfil Thy promise of delivering. Teach us how to know Thy Name which Thou hast so fully made known to us, and which yet we are so ignorant of; and then do Thou fulfil Thy promise of setting us by that knowledge on high above whatever can pass or change or die. May we be Thine, and then, whatever be the length of our days, we shall be satisfied; and whatever else Thou mayest hide from us Thou wilt show us Thy salvation.

We come to Thee now, with humble thanksgivings for Thy manifold mercies to us, and bless and praise Thee for all Thy good gifts. Truly we can say that we are ransomed and healed, restored and forgiven; that our inmost hearts may melt and flow forth in lives of service, of blessed communion, of ennobling and emancipating obedience; and that we may glorify God, the Redeemer and Father of our spirits. For all Thy blessings to us we desire to praise Thee, and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst help us, now and here in Thy presence, to draw ever near to Thyself, and hold true communion with Thee, wherein is our rest and peace. Cleanse our hearts from vanity, turn away our eyes from beholding folly. Keep our hearts from all crooked ways. Help us to walk in the light, as Thou art in the light, and so walking to follow and come to the light.

We beseech Thee for Thy blessing to rest upon us gathered here this morning. We thank Thee for all the mercies and good gifts which some of us have received, in many years gone by, in this place. And now that Thou hast brought us together again, we pray that the days to come may yet be more fruitful and blessed than the days that are past; and that Thou wouldst manifest Thy great power and presence with us, whensoever we assemble together thus, forgiving and healing and quickening all that is good in us, by our gathering together with one accord in this place. And help us in speaking Thy will, and in hearing Thy word.

Accept us now, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by Thy mercy upon us, for our hope is in Thee, and Thy mercy must come to us, and our hope must clasp Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.