IN order to promote a spirit of devotion. to raise the thoughts above this world, and to fix the affections upon their proper Object, it is strongly recommended that when the Family are assembled, previous to prayer, a select portion of the Word of God should be read: and if circumstances admit, that an appropriate Psalm or Hymn should be sung. References to portions of Scripture which may be read by the Family on particular occasions and also a few suitable Hymns are introduced at the end of this Book, SUNDAY MORNING. O MERCIFUL LORD from whom alone every good and perfect gift cometh, pour upon us, we humbly beseech Thee, the Spirit of Thy grace, that we may approach Thy mercy-seat through our divine Redeemer, and make known our requests unto Thee by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. We praise Thee for the great encouragement which Thou hast given us, to worship, and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. We confess that we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep, and are unworthy to come into thy presence; but we would draw near unto Thee, because thou has graciously opened to us a door of access, through faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and hast revealed Thyself as our merciful Father in Him. We bless Thee, that through Him Thou hast sent a full, free and everlasting redemption; that Thou hast commanded Thy covenant for ever, and sealed it with His atoning blood, and that in Thy blessed gospel Thou dost promise pardon and peace to all those who believe in His O Lord, we believe, help Thou our unbelief-Enable us by faith to look unto JESUS as the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, and to receive out of His fulness grace to supply our wants, to conform our souls to His divine image, and to enrich us with all the blessings of His salvation. name. Blessed Lord, we adore Thy name for having appointed this day to be kept holy; for this is the day of sacred rest which Thou hast made, this is the Sabbath, the holy of the LORD; which, in Thine infinite wisdom and goodness, Thou hast consecrated to Thyself, as a memorial of the accomplishment of the works of creation, and of the still more glorious work of redemption. Alas! too often have we abused and profaned Thy Sabbaths, wasting them in the pursuit of the unsatisfying pleasures of this world. Too often have we rushed into the courts of Thy sanctuary without consideration, or without any desire to worship Thee in spirit and in truth:-Yea, too often have we put on the mask of hypocrisy, approaching Thee with our lips whilst our hearts were unhumbled aud unclean in Thy sight. But, thou Lord of the Sabbath, look on us now in mercy. Pardon this, as well as all our other multiplied offences against Thee; and give us grace from henceforth to glorify Thee by the sanctification of Thy Sabbaths, not only outwardly in our actions, but inwardly in our thoughts and affections, that we may find them, as they were designed to be, delightful foretastes of the eternal rest prepared for all Thy ransomed people. Gracious God, meet and bless us in all our religious services this day, and whether we are engaged in secret, in family, or in public worship, impart to us a holy solemnity of mind. But especially when we enter into the courts of Thy sanctuary, impress our minds with an awful sense of Thine exalted majesty and glory, and help us in every part of the services of this day, to realize Thy gracious presence. Check every vain and wandering thought. and deliver us from that coldness and formality with which we are so often oppressed. Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to receive Thy gospel, and make us joyful with fresh discoveries of the grace and truth that is in Jesus Christ. May Thy word be profitable, being mixed with faith in us, and may it be as good seed, bringing forth the fruits of righteousness and true holiness to Thy honour and glory. *[Blessed Lord, let Thy gracious presence be especially with those of us who shall attend Thy Table this day. Help us in that sacred ordinance to commemorate Thy dying love. Kindle within us genuine repentance, lively faith, and fervent charity; and though we are unworthy to gather up the crumbs that fall from Thy Table, yet, relying on Thine exceeding great and precious promises, may we approach Thee in the character of Thy children, and “feed upon THEE in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving." And while we are refreshed with these pledges of Thy love, O enable us cheerfully to yield up ourselves to Thy service; and to glorify Thee with our bodies, and our spirits which are thine.] O God of the spirits of all flesh, we beseech Thee to bless all that wait upon Thee in Thy house this day, and adapt Thy mercies to their several wants. Clothe Thy word with power, and make it effectual This paragraph should only be read when any of the family intend to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. |