Prayer LIX

O Lord, our gracious Father, we thank Thee that already, ere we ask. Thou hast blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; and since Thou hast not tarried nor withheld Thy goodness until we have felt our need of it, and brought petitions for it, we come to Thee to ask especially that we may be strengthened to take the things that are freely given to us of God, and to make our own all that fullness of power, purity, peace, and blessedness which Thou hast stored as in an accessible place for all the world in Jesus Christ. Help us that we may not starve in the midst of plenty, nor want whilst such abundance streams around us. We often come to Thee with desire for what Thou hast already given. O Lord! we need far more hearts and hands to take the blessings that invite us to participate.

Strengthen our faith and desire, O Lord. Thou hast taught us that Thou wilt fill every open mouth, and that according to our faith it will be unto us. Thou hast told us we have but to ask and have, to desire and to possess. Therefore do we come to Thee, O Lord! acknowledging the sluggishness of our own desires. How often have we misused them for lesser and all uncertain good; how seldom we have lifted them to the height of that longing which never can remain unsatisfied since Thou art faithful and good. Help us to wish most for what is best worthy of being wished. Help us to strive most for that which we are sure to possess if we believingly strive. May the sweet possession of Thyself be our true and enduring riches. Help us thus to live, and so to use all passing events, duties, joys, sorrows as that they may make more sure, more deep, more blessed, our possession of our true Portion, Thine own Self.

Help us to hear and to speak Thy message, take away all the hindrances which may attach to the messenger, and to give this message its glory and its power. We commend one another to Thy gracious care. Comfort all the sorrowful, help all the struggling, and give our feeble wills strength to resolve what is good for any of us who are struggling with temptations. O Lord! be Thou our strength, and give us the victorythrough Jesus Christ. In all changing conditions be Thou beside us with the appropriate gifts as Thou knowest how to give them. May Thy word have free course and be glorified, and so all the sorrows, all the desires, all the sins, of this poor distracted yet redeemed world be soothed and healed and gladdened.

And now, Lord, we desire to commend ourselves to Thy gracious care, and beseech Thee to take us into Thy loving keeping, and help us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.