"Quicken me after Thy loving kindness, so shall I keep the testimony
of Thy mouth."--Psalm cxix. 88.
O God, on this the close of another day, I desire to approach the
footstool of Thy throne. Glory be to Thy holy name that I can enjoy
freedom of access into Thy presence, and with the confidence of a
child unburden and unbosom to Thee all my wants and sins, my sorrows
and infirmities, my perplexities and cares.
Lord, how unworthy I am of the least of all Thy mercies! What
righteous cause hast Thou to cut me down as a cumberer of the ground.
How cold my love, how unfrequent my prayers! How full my heart of
pride and vain-glory, self and sin! How little have I habitually
realized Thy nearness and sought Thy favor as my chief good! There is
enough of coldness and formality in my best approaches to Thy
footstool to lead Thee in Thy wrath to spurn me forever away, and to
mingle my blood with my sacrifices!
I cast myself as a worthless unworthy sinner at the feet of Jesus. I
need daily, hourly washing at that fountain which He has opened for
sin and for uncleanness. Wash me, gracious Lord, fully, freely, and
forever. Let me know the blessedness of "no condemnation." Deepen my
contrition on account of my sin. I am apt to palliate its enormity, to
invent vain excuses for its commission, to hide its heinousness from
myself, and to hide it from Thee. Let me see all sin, and my own sin
in particular, in the light of Calvary's cross. May I hate it with a
perfect hatred, and resolve in Thy grace that it henceforth have no
dominion over me. Oh quicken me by the indwelling of Thy blessed
Spirit. May I seek to be progressing in the divine life. May my
pathway heavenward be brightened by a lively sense of reconciliation
through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Let me lean on Thy heavenly arm, seeking Thy glory with singleness of
eye. May it be my greatest grief to give Thee pain, my greatest joy
and happiness to do Thy will. Keep me from all hard thoughts and
unrighteous surmises regarding Thy dealings. May I see them all as
designed to quicken my steps in the heavenly way, to bring me nearer
Thyself, and to impart an increasing meetness for glory. Let Thy
kingdom come, let Thy blessed Gospel triumph over the pride and
superstition and will-worship of man. Put an end to war and discord,
and may all the ends of the earth see Thy salvation. Bless Thy
ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth, and have no
fear but the fear of God.
Be the Guide and Guardian of all whom I love. Preserve their bodies
from danger and their souls from sin. Watch over them and me this
night; be about our bed as Thou hast been about our path. Night after
night as I retire to rest may I think of the deeper darkness of the
night of death, which must, sooner or later encompass me. Reposing in
the merits of my gracious Redeemer, may I be enabled to look _beyond_
death and the grave, to that morning without clouds, when I shall
awake in His likeness, and be ushered into the full vision and
fruition of Thee my God; and all that I ask or hope for is for His
sake. Amen.
"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS
INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."