"Meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light."--Col. i. 12.
O God, I come into Thy gracious presence on this the close of another
day, beseeching Thee to accept of my evening sacrifice. May this my
unworthy prayer come up before Thee perfumed with the fragrant incense
of the Saviour's adorable merits. It is my comfort to know, O Thou
blessed Intercessor within the veil, that Thou art even now appearing
in the presence of God for me! The names of Thy covenant people are
engraven on Thy breastplate, and, all unworthy in themselves, they are
accepted in the Beloved.
My special prayer to Thee this night is, that by Thy grace I may be
made meet for Thy blood-bought inheritance in Glory. Transform me by
the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost; may I be dying daily unto sin,
and living daily unto righteousness. Make me more heavenly-minded.
Give me more of a pilgrim attitude and a pilgrim spirit. May I ever
feel that my true home is above, that I am here but a wayfarer and
sojourner, as all my fathers were. May I attain, as I advance nearer
heaven, the blessed habit of a holy life, bearing about with me the
lofty impress of one who is born _from_ above and _for_ above,
declaring plainly that I seek "a better country."
Let me not arraign the appointments of Infinite wisdom, but patiently
await the disclosures of the great day. Keep me from a hasty spirit
under dark dispensations. I am no judge as to what fancied mercies are
best withholden. Let me look to every trial as an appointed messenger
from the Throne whispering in my ears, "Be ye also ready!" May I
delight often to anticipate that happy time when I shall suffer no
more, and sin no more; when Thou shalt no longer teach me by
mysterious dispensations and a crossed will; when all shall be "a sea
of glass" without one disturbing ripple, and I shall trace with joyous
heart the long line of unbroken love and unchanging faithfulness! Anew
I would wash in the atoning fountain. Anew I would take refuge "in the
faithful saying." O blot out all the sins of the bygone day. Let them
not rise up in the Judgment to condemn me. Let me close my eyes this
night listening to the Saviour's own voice--"Your sins which are many
are all forgiven you."
May the Lord arise and have mercy upon Zion. May the streams of Thy
grace make glad the city of God. Build up her broken walls; restore
her ruined towers; may her watchmen be men of faith and men of prayer;
making mention of the Lord, and keeping not silence, till He
establish, and till he make Jerusalem again a praise in the earth.
Lord, bless my friends. Let us exult in those ties which survive the
uncertain ones of earth, and look forward to the hour when we shall
come to stand at last faultless before Thy Throne. Oh, prepare us all
for the breaking of that eternal day--that "morning without clouds,"
when in Thy light we shall see light--when the love of Christ shall be
enthroned supremely in every heart, when the glory of Christ will form
the animating motive and principle of life that shall never end: and
all I ask 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."