Wednesday, Week 4

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
— 1 Peter 3:12 (BSB)

There is no way to learn to pray but by praying.
— Samuel Chadwick

O God, our Father, breathe an evening blessing upon us. There is much in us that needs cleansing. Look upon us as friends of Your Son. He has died for us. We have no merit of our own. We dare not lift our hands in Your sight, except as we are His redeemed people. He loved us and gave Himself for us. He was wounded for our transgressions. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. We do not mention our own names before You, for we have sinned and come short of Your glory. Our best things, are stained with sin. Our purest thoughts, have evil in them. Our gentlest deeds, are not altogether white. Wrong motives, selfish desires, and unholy feelings spoil all that we do! But Jesus Christ is our hope and trust. We hide behind His cross. We would be seen by You, only in Him. For His sake, then, look upon us graciously and love us freely.

We thank You for the favors of this day. Bless to us all of this day's experiences. Teach us the lessons You have set for us. Bless all our efforts to help others. May the things we have tried to do to give comfort, help, and cheer, to make burdens lighter and paths smoother — be owned by You and used to advance Your work in the lives of those whom we have sought to help.

If we have done wrong to others today, whether in some impatience or selfishness, or without intent, in carelessness and thoughtlessness — we beg Your forgiveness, and we ask also that You will help us to undo the wrong, if this is possible. Teach us how to overcome evil with good. Give us the gentle, healing touch, which will cure the hurts we have made. Give us more and more love, that we may always bless, never injure others. We ask all these mercies in the name of Jesus. Amen.