Prayer XLIV

Help us, O Lord, that we too, in the solitude of our own souls, may find refuge in Thee from an intrusive world. And do Thou give us grace to keep near Thee when duty calls us again into the low levels of life. ‘Help us ever to bear about with us as a sweet memory and a silent impulse, the thought of Thy love, of Thy presence, of Thy judgment, of Thy help. ‘And may we daily live as making real to ourselves the truths which we profess to believe.

Forgive, O Lord, all our blindness to Thy highest gifts, and our preference of the lower benefits of Thy providence to the higher blessings of Thy grace. May we look for something better from the Prophet that should come into the world than the bread that perishes. May we labour most for that meat which endures unto eternal life, which the Son of Man will give us. And help us, we pray Thee, to take and nourish our souls upon the things that are freely given to us of God, given before we ask, continuing to be given, or offered, though we often refuse. Draw near to each of us, we beseech Thee, gathered here in Thy presence this morning, and help us in this hour of worship. Speak Thou, O Lord, through the lips that speak, and open the ears that hear the outward words, that they may receive Thy message. And may we all feel that God Himself is speaking to us, and all be touched by that mighty word. We know that it cannot return unto Thee void; and we would humbly believe that even when weakened and mingled with men’s words, it may still retain something of its pristine power, and may still be mighty, through God, to the purpose for which Thou dost send.

We pray Thee to be with us in our worship, to deliver us from all unworthy motives and thoughts, to bring our hearts into real contact with Thyself and Thy truth, to bow our wills that they may be submissive, and to open all our understanding and our nature that into every corner of our being there may flow the great tide of Thy revealed will and word, cleansing and blessing and life-giving whithersoever the river cometh.

We beseech Thee to look upon us in our daily circumstances and duties, especially to be with any of us that have heavy burdens of responsibility or care or sorrow to carry. We pray that strength may be given to us according to our day, and the peaceful assurance that Thou sendest no man a warfare at his own charges, but that when Thou commandest Thou dost empower and fit Thy people for all which Thou dost expect of them. Be near each of us, then, day by day, and strengthen us that no false glitter may draw away our eyes from Thee, nor any conflicting loves shut our hearts to Thy love. And may our wills ever be conformed to Thine, and our conduct ever be in accordance with what we know to be Thy will concerning us. We commend ourselves, and all whom we love, to Thy gracious care; help us now as we wait before Thee, through Jesus Christ our Saviour-Lord.