"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the
Lord."--Romans xii. 11.
Lord, I come to Thee this night rejoicing in the thought that Thou
faintest not, neither are weary: Thou art ever good, and doing me
good. Thine arm is never shortened, Thine ear is never heavy. The
gates of prayer are ever open. The Throne of the Heavenly Grace is
ever accessible, none of Thy children need perish with hunger!
May the darkness now gathering around me be as the shadow of Thine
infinite presence. I take comfort in the thought that the Shepherd of
Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps; that He is ever bending over me
his watchful, untiring eye, compassing my path and my lying down, and
holding up my doings that my footsteps do not stumble.
Lord, how sad is the contrast of Thine unwearied and unwearying
watchfulness, with my negligence and inactivity in Thy service. How
little have I sought to promote Thy glory. How little have I felt the
solemnity and responsibility of being a steward in Thy household! Let
me be more zealous for Thy honor in the future. Let me seek more than
I have ever yet done, to ask in the midst of life's duties and
engagements, its perplexities and trials, in simple faith, "Lord! what
wouldst thou have me to do?" Let me feel that duty is a delight when
done for Thee. Keep me from further relaxing my diligence. Let me not
mock Thee any longer with the wrecks of a worn affection. Let there be
no half-surrender of the heart and life to Thee, but may soul and body
be consecrated as living sacrifices, and may I have the growing
experience that active obedience in Thy service is self-rewarding.
Lord! I have indeed a vast work to do and a brief time to do it in.
May opportunities and talents, while I have them, be cheerfully given
to Thee. May the warning words oft sound in my ear, "Work while it is
called today, for the night cometh wherein no man can work." Oh
prepare me for my Saviour's coming. Forbid that I should be found
among the slothful servants or the faithless stewards who are
squandering their Lord's money, and are living, forgetful that a time
of reckoning is at hand! May I be so waiting and so watching, and so
working, that the cry may never break too soon or too suddenly on my
ears--"Behold, the Judge standeth before the door!"
Send forth thy gracious Spirit into a world lying in wickedness.
Scatter the darkness that is now brooding over the nations. Bless all
thy ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth; may the
Lord send His own angel to stand by them, and to shut the mouths of
every adversary.
Bless all my friends; may they too be working out their own salvation
with fear and trembling, and so be found at last prepared for the
appearing and kingdom of Jesus.
Take me under Thy protecting care this night; vouchsafe me a season of
refreshing repose; spare me to awake in Thy favor; and may every
returning morning find me better prepared for the glorious noon-day of
immortality; through Jesus Christ, my ever-living Saviour. Amen.
"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS
INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."