Prayer XLVIII
O Lord, Who dwellest in the light inaccessible, we thank Thee that we can draw near and walk in the light by Him Who is the Way and the Truth and the Light. And we would come to Thee now, though our eyes be feeble and Thy light full of glory. Yet we draw near as Thy children, and would come close to Thy heart and bless Thee, that though Thou art far beyond all thought and blessing, hearts can touch-And Thou dost let us love Thee, and nestle close to Thee. We pray, then, O Lord, that Thou wouldst do more than permit us to come to Thee. We ask Thee to draw us to Thyself, for surely Thou dost know the way to the hearts and minds that Thou hast made, and the touch of Thy finger can be laid upon us. Bring us near to Thyself, and help us that, day by day, amidst all our changing circumstances, perplexities, and duties, we may still be able to keep up our communion with Thee, and to walk in Thy presence rejoicing to think that Thou, God, seest us.
We come to Thee, Lord, conscious of our sins, but not made afraid to draw near to Thee by reason of them, for we thank Thee that we have An offering and a sacrifice. And we beseech Thee that all of us united in a common sinfulness may be more blessedly knit together in a common faith; and may each find that the blood of Jesus Christ Thy Son cleanses from all sin.
We pray for Thy pardon, for more than Thy pardon, for Thy righteousness to be put into our minds; and that our characters may be moulded after the likeness of Thy dear Son, Who is the perfect embodiment of Thy perfect will.
Go with each of us, we beseech Thee, into all our spheres of duty, and keep us from going anywhere where we cannot carry Thee. Teach us the meaning of circumstances, the message of providence, the duties that spring from Thy appointments of lot and task. And help us to do all things heartily, and that we may do them heartily may we do them as to the Lord. Guide us by Thy counsel, strengthen us by Thy grace. If any of us are in any kind of trouble or perplexity be near such, and give counsel in the lot of each, and in due time the dawn of gladness and peace. Help all Thy people who are afflicted in mind, body, or estate, to bring all their sorrows unto Thee, and to realise that blessed and wondrous truth that ’ in all their afflictions He was afflicted,’ and the Angel of His Presence saved them. We pray that it may be so with us, and with all who may be known to us, and with the many unknown on whom Thy hand lies heavy may Thy right hand hold them up.
And now, O Lord, we beseech Thee to be with us in our hour of worship, to guide our thoughts when we try to speak some words in accordance with Thy holy will. May Thy blessed Spirit teach us how to speak and how to hear. And whatever else may be accomplished, or fail to be achieved, by this our service, may many hearts be brought into living and loving contact with the one great living and loving heart, the heart of the Christ. And may the message of Thy grace not be marred by its passage through the human medium; but be, and manifest itself in many a mind and life, to be what it is, the word of God which endureth for ever.
O Lord, hear us in our prayer; grant us Thy help in our service, be near each of us, and forgive our sins and answer our petitions, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.