sinful pleasures and corruptions, have too often drawn us aside to evil; we have been distracted and divided in our minds by the cares of this world and by the deceitfulness of riches: even our religious exercises have been mixed up with thoughts at once worldly, unholy, and impure. We have been content with the forms of godliness, without bringing ourselves under its power. O how frequently has sin with its allurements enticed and drawn us aside, darkening our understandings by error, and defiling our wills by evil. Help us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to repent; O give unto us clean hearts—renew a right spirit within us, and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
MONDAY EVENING.
O LORD, God of all the families of the earth, who hast invited all men to come unto Thee, and hast graciously promised they shall find rest to their souls, we humbly avail ourselves of Thy gracious invitation, and with grateful adoration and thanksgiving desire to lift up our heart with our hands unto Thee, O God in the heavens. We acknowledge Thy divine bounty throughout this another day, and we adore Thee that we are permitted to approach Thy mercy-seat at its close. Grant unto us, we beseech Thee, wise and discerning spirits, that we may ask what is needful for us in Thy name, and believing that Thou art ever willing to bestow upon us Thy blessings when they are solicited in a proper spirit, may we, nothing doubting, ask of Thee knowledge to guide us in our course through life, wisdom to seek after the one thing needful, and perseverance that we may not be weary in well doing, knowing that in due time we shall reap if we faint not. May we, like humble and confiding Mary, sit at Thy feet to hear Thy word, choosing, like her, the good part, which shall not be taken away from us.
O Lord, "how great is Thy goodness, and how great Thy mercy; corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids." O may we, while feeling gratitude for all Thy temporal benefits, apply the truths of Thy word to the spiritual benefit of our souls. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
TUESDAY MORNING.
O LORD, God of our salvation, we desire to prostrate ourselves before Thee with holy reverence, as the giver of every good and perfect gift, the author of our existence, and the bestower of eternal life. Another day has opened before us, and we pray that Thy divine direction may guide us on the path of duty. Innumerable temptations and snares beset our path; O help us to detect and surmount them.
Thou hast exhorted us to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Thee. Lord, ever keep us under the guidance and government of conscience, and by setting Thee continually before our eyes, may we act with truth and justice in all our dealings. May we shun covetousness, and so conduct our worldly affairs as to show a willing obedience to Thy divine precepts, and do unto all men as we would they should do unto us.
