Prayer LXXVII
O Lord, our gracious Father, from Whom cometh the preparation of the heart, and the answer as well, we would lift up our hearts to Thee now, and submit them to Thy preparation; and pray that Thou wouldst help us to do so, that we may feel that it is no vain thing thus, in outward seeming, to draw near unto God. We would not be of those who worship with their lips whilst their hearts are far from Thee. We would not take upon our tongues words that do not correspond to our inmost feelings and desires. We beseech Thee that we may never be put to shame by our prayers, and that Thou wouldst help us to pray aright. O Lord, we need Thee in all ways, for all things, at all times, and in all corners of our souls, and in every part of our lives. So we ask Thee that Thou wouldst help us to withdraw ourselves from all vain things. May we not be of those who follow after vanities and become vain; but may we follow after Thee, and become like Thee, partakers in some measure of the Godhead, as Thou dost promise that Thou wilt bestow Thyself upon seeking hearts, and wilt never be far from those that turn their faces to Thee.
We come out of very different circumstances; our day’s work and trials and joys have been very diverse. But we thank Thee that in all this infinite variety and complexity of circumstances and events which make up our lives Thou art seeking the same ends with us all, and art expressing the same love that embraces us all. And so we would thank Thee for all the way by which the Lord our God has led us, and beseech Thee that we may be taught more clear-sightedly because more believingly to consider what Thou dost with us, and observing these things may we understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. Oh! do Thou deliver us from the many things in ourselves which we partly know and suspect to be contrary to Thy will, and show us more clearly the loftiness and the greatness of the possibilities of Thy grace in Jesus Christ, and Thy purpose of love concerning each of us. May we make more earnest work of our sanctifying, and feel more and more that it is our highest joy, as well as our bounden duty, to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect; ’ and forgetting the things that are behind, may we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’
O Lord, Thou knowest how little we have been true to Thy calling. Thou hast daily to forgive our departures from the paths of righteousness and our many fallings short of Thy holy will, even as we recognise and know it. But we bless Thee that with Thee there is forgiveness and plenteous redemption that Thou mayest be sought unto. Graciously help us, then, to recognise our own defects and failures, to be thankful for everything that helps us to see Thee, and not even to resent the words of others that may painfully lead to apprehend Thee; but help us at the same time to realise even more clearly the infinite forgiveness of our Father, and His infinite power to mend the marred vessels, and make them as He would have them to be. And lead us day by day to yield ourselves to Thy moulding and working. We believe that Thou art working in Thy people for that selfsame thing, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. And we believe that that is the meaning of all Thy dealings with us. May we realise it more completely, and feel it more hopefully, and so be helped to take all things by their right handle, to understand all things in their deepest meaning, and to recognise that all work together for good.
O Lord! draw near to us now, and help us all who wait before Thee to lay to heart the message that Thou dost bring to us; and do Thou give, too, the message to speak which shall manifestly be Thy will for each of us; and let Thy Holy Spirit touch lips and ears, hearts and wills, that our lives may be the better for our gathering together thus.
We pray for one another, in all the diversity of our conditions. If there are any that have any sorrow or trouble in our hearts or lives or homes we pray Thee to reveal Thy strong and gracious presence to us all that are thus miserable. And where there is weakness or pain of body do Thou give us patience, and as the outward man perishes may the inward man be renewed day by day. We pray Thee to sustain all sad hearts and comfort all sorrowful souls, and speak Thy peace to all troubled minds, and let Thy blessed presence be felt to brood over all storms in life, and to say, ‘Peace! be still! ’
O Lord, accept our thanks now for Thy great mercies to us, and help us to embrace in the thanksgiving all Thy dealings with us without exception. And now be with us as we wait here before Thee, help and bless us in our several parts of this service, and accept and answer us through Christ our Saviour.