PRIVATE DEVOTIONS FOR THE SUNDAY EVENING 151 Before retiring to rest on the Sunday Evening. Psalm. of my Let my prayer, O Lord, be set forth as the incense, and the lifting up hands be as an evening sacrifice., It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Thou most Highest; To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night season. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me to dwell in safety. Into thy hands I commend my spirit, my soul, and my body, for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth. The Evening Prayer. O most gracious and merciful God, I intreat Thee to accept this mine evening sacrifice of unfeigned praise, which I now offer to thy divine Majesty for the great and manifold mercies which thou hast vouchsafed unto me; and more particularly, for the mercy of this day, in having permitted me to be a partaker of thy holy Communion. Thy goodness hath given, and my faith hath received it; O, let me ever feel the effects of its influence on my life and conduct. Grant that with due hnmility and devotion I may always approach the table of thy most holy Sacrament, in which the sufferings and death, the breaking of the body, and the pouring forth of the blood of thy Son, are still shewn. At that awful hour, inspire me with a peculiar measure of thy blessed Spirit; that they may recall to my memory the fortitude, goodness, and patience of thy Son; that these, and all the other heavenly virtues, in which he has instructed mankind by his precepts and example, may then rise so strong in my mind, and strike such deep root in my heart, as to bring forth the fruits of universal virtue, and everlasting happiness. Grant this, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ. For Perseverance in Obedience. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, impart to me the gracious assistance of thy holy Spirit, that I may be enabled to keep all those vows and promises, which I have this day made at the table of thy Son. Enrich me with thy grace constantly to persevere in them; pardon my sins and transgressions; and withhold the punishment which I have thereby deserved, in like manner, as I have freely and heartily forgiven all those injuries and offences, which I have re |