Prayer LXVI
O Lord, we would come into Thy presence not only though but because Thou art a consuming fire. With reverence and godly fear we would draw near, with that fear which has in it no torment; and we bow ourselves before Thee, and pray that we may be baptised in the Holy Ghost and in fire; and that the merciful cleansing flame may purge away all our dross and tin, and may deliver our souls from all their stain, and make us pure after the pattern of Thine own purity.
O Lord, we bless Thee that none of us need to dread Thee whilst all of us are bound to fear Thee. We bless Thee for that perfect love which casts out dread and deepens reverence. And we pray that in our hearts it may always dwell, making us very peaceful and very strong to do Thy will, and to bear Thy will. O help us to hold fast the grace that Thou hast given us, and since the Kingdom cannot be moved may we who partake of such stable and unchangeable good be stable and unchangeable likewise. Help us to be steadfast and immovable, to grasp Thy firm salvation with a firm hold; and always to realise in our daily experience, and in the little things of life, that God is with us of a truth, and that to bless.
We thank Thee, O Lord, for all the great gifts which Thou dost bestow upon us. We beseech Thee that we may indeed come, even whilst here on earth, to the heavenly Jerusalem; and may have for our companions the Judge of all, and the Mediator of the new Covenant, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and be part of that innumerable assembly which rejoices in Thee. Surround us, we pray Thee, with all Thy good gifts according to our need, and oh! help us, day by day, to set ourselves with more vigour and perseverance to run the race that is set before us. May we ever indeed be looking to Christ. Oh that our lives were fuller of Him. Oh that we knew more of the power of His Resurrection, lifting us above our death of sin and bringing us into joyfulness of life in God, hid there with Jesus Christ. Grant us, we beseech Thee, grace day by day to be looking away from all else unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; and may we have Him for our Leader and Commander, Him for our example. Him for our Companion, Him for our Guide. May He be with us the way to God, and our Friend on the way.
We beseech Thee that Thou wouldst pour upon us all needful grace for daily duty. O Lord, work Thou through us and help us to submit ourselves to Thy gracious influences. May the Spirit of the living God dwell in our hearts, and we be coming nearer and nearer to Thee, O Lord, every day that we live. Help us to accept all Thy varying providences with thankfulness and trust. If any of us are even now having to pass through dark valleys and deep waters, do Thou give us grace to trust in Thee, and to lay to heart the blessed words which we have been reading, which encourage us to take our sorrows as the sign of our Sonship. May they be so indeed to us all, and may none of us waste these precious gifts of Thy hand. Let Thy rod and Thy staff comfort us, and whatever Thou dost please to appoint for us may we so receive it as that it shall work for us the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Help us therefore never to faint or fear, but lift up the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees, and make paths for our feet.
Guide us by Thy gracious counsel. Set us free from the bonds which we ourselves have not the strength.
and often not the inclination, to break. And grant that every one of us may day by day make it our business to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. O Lord, lift away all weights from our spirits and help us to cast them away; and as for the sin that surrounds us, and is within us, may we put it away too, and run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Help us as we try to meditate together upon what may be profitable to our spirits. Do Thou speak some word to each of us, and grant that as we have often found it in time past, so we may often find it now that Thou art present with us in our worship, and that Thou Thyself art speaking comfortably to our hearts.
We pray that each of us, according to our various occupations, circumstances and temptations, may find Thee near us, to bless us and guide us in all our ways. Prosper, in so far as Thou seest it to be good, the work of our hands upon us; and grant that it may indeed be Thy work which we do, and so bless it to the springing thereof.
We commend ourselves to Thy gracious care. We would not forget thankfulness for all Thy merciful benefits towards us; and we beseech Thee that our hearts and minds may now be brought into closer fellowship with Thee, and that Thou wouldst draw very near to each heart in Thy presence, and help us all to wait upon our God.
We pray for all that are in any kind of sorrow or trouble. We beseech Thee to comfort the hearts of Thy servants, and to grant light to them that sit in darkness, and a happy issue out of all their troubles — the happiest issue, that they shall by them be brought nearer to God. O Lord, hear us now; in Thy mercy forgive us; pardon the sins of our low faith, and look upon our Intercessor before the Throne, in Whom, and in Whose past and present work we trusting may bring our petitions, even Jesus Christ our crucified and crowned Lord.