For the Coming of Thy Kingdom
“Thy kingdom come.” — Luke xi. 2.
O ETERNAL, eYei’-blessed God whose merciful kindness is new to me every morning — give me throughout this day that peace which the world cannot give. As the beams of the material sun are lighting up anew my earthly chamber, may the inner chamber of my soul be illumined by a better and brighter radiance. Jesus! Thou blessed Fountain of light, and life, and glory, do Thou disperse all the darkness of unbelief and sin. May Thy presence and love hallow all my joys, and mitigate and sanctify all my sorrows.
Ere I enter on the day’s duties, do Thou anew sprinkle the lintels and door-posts of my heart with Thine own most precious blood; may mj inmost thoughts, and purposes, and desires, and affections be consecrated to that God whose property they are. May I have an increasing experience of the sweets of Thy favor, and friendship, and love. With Thee, blessed Lord, I am rich, whatever else I want; without Thee, I am poor, though I have the wealth of worlds beside. Take what Thou wilt away — but take not Thyself. Nothing can fill and satisfy the longings of my immortal nature but Thee — all worldly happiness and creature joys are poor substitutes for the inexhaustible source of all joy. Let me know what it is, amid the wreck of earthly refuges and hopes, to exult in the persuasion, “The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”
While I pray that Thy kingdom may come in my own heart, I would especially pray for its extension throughout the world. Arise, O God, and let Thine enemies be scattered. May the blessed day soon arrive when a rejoicing and emancipated world shall own no longer habitations of darkness and horrid cruelty — when Jew and Gentile shall welcome the Prince of Peace to the Throne of Universal Empire — and “all ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.” “Come, Lord Jesus; come quickly.” Let the cry soon break over Thy now burdened Church, “Let us be glad and rejoice, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” Grant, Lord, that / may be in readiness to meet Thee. May my loins now be girded, and my lamp brightly burning, that, at the Bridegroom’s summons, I may be able joyfully to respond, “Lo, this is my God! I have waited for Him.”
Grant this day to all near and dear to me, as well as to myself, the special tokens of Thy blessing and love. Fold my beloved friends in the arms of Thy mercy. Teaching I them to do Thy holy will, do Thou say of I them and to them, ‘* The same is my mother, and sister, and brother.” Guide us all by Thy counsel here. May we feel that the way in which Thou art leading us is the kindest and the best that covenant love can devise; and when our appointed time on earth is finished, do Thou receive us into everlasting habitations through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And now, to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, be ascribed, as is most due, all blessing, and honor, and glory, and praise, world without end. Amen.
“CAUSE ME TO HEAR THY LOVING-KINDNESS IN THE MORNING, FOR IN THER DO I TRUST.”