Prayer XVIII
Bring us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to a clear vision of the world and the things unseen, and to a right comparison of their value with that of the things seen and temporal. May we learn and practise the belief that life consisteth not in the abundance of possessions, but in fellowship with Thyself. And to us may it more and more be true that everything is precious in the measure in which it leads us to our true riches, the wealth and the fulness of God.
O Lord, Thou knowest how hard it is for us day by day to keep ourselves at that height of serene contemplation of Time and Eternity, Earth and Heaven, the world and God, to which we sometimes attain. And we pray for Thy grace to aid us that it may become more and more our settled conviction, operative in our lives, that Thou art the Truth of our hearts and our Portion for ever. Forgive, we pray Thee, all our wanderings, our unworthiness, our falling below our own knowledge of what we ought to be, and how we ought to live. And enlighten us, and not only enlighten us but inspire, that we may do the things which we know, and possess the benediction which the Lord has uttered on such.
We pray for Thy gracious help in our worship of this morning, and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst teach us how to hear and to speak Thy word. Be to us a mouth and wisdom, give the hearing ear, the docile heart, the cheerful will. And may glad obedience follow the reception of Thy message. Bless each of us here before Thee, as our several conditions and characters may require; and give each of us the gifts that we need for the daily contest, for the daily march, for the daily duty and growth in grace. If any of us have sorrows in our hearts, Thou art the Lord that healest. Thou delightest to bind up the wounds which Thou hast, in Thy loving providence made. May we never spurn the balm which Thou dost provide, nor seek the futile solace of earthly things. Be near each of us in our temptations, in our joys, in our work; dwell in our homes, move upon our hearts. Be with us in our trades and professions, and in all our occupations and walks in life; and help us to adorn the teaching in all things, and to shew Whose we are, and Whom we serve.
Draw near to us now, and bless all our fellow-worshippers and fellow-believers throughout the world. Be with all of us who are seeking the truth, all who are trying to do the right, all who are endeavouring to spread the knowledge of Jesus Christ throughout the world; and all who, in any way, are seeking unselfishly to help their fellows. We pray that Thy Kingdom may come, in our hearts, in our own land, amongst the churches that profess to be Christ’s, in this England and throughout the world. And now, O Lord, we desire to commend ourselves to Thee, and pray Thee to accept and bless us, for our Lord and Saviour’s sake.