Friday, Week 5

Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
— 1 Chronicles 16:11 (BSB)

Prayer delights God’s ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.
— Thomas Watson

O most merciful Father, who loves all Your redeemed children — we confess our manifold sins and shortcomings, and beseech You to show us Your mercy and favor. We are not worthy to be called Your children. We have gone astray from Your commandments, wandering like lost sheep, walking in paths of our own choosing. We have known Your ways — and have not walked in them. We make humble confession of all our transgressions, and implore Your forgiveness.

We desire to enter more deeply into the experience of Your love. Help us to believe in the love You have for us, and to understand something of the greatness of Your love. We are like little children over whom mothers bend with holy affection — but who are unconscious of it. We do not know the divine love that yearns over us. If we knew it, we would never doubt nor be afraid. We long to realize this love that never fails nor forgets.

We desire to be conscious all this day of Your divine care and affection. Then nothing shall disturb us, nor quench our ardor, nor break our peace. We shall not then be vexed by cares. Temptation will have no power over us. Dangers will not alarm us. Then our very faces shall shine with the luster of indwelling grace.

We ask for help in all our duties, that we do our work faithfully; not carelessly nor negligently — but everything diligently. We pray for our friends, that they may all be kept near You in the shelter of Your love. Let a blessing be on those who are sick, upon any who are near to death — that they may be ready to depart when You call them; upon all who are in trouble; upon the poor, the bereft, the sorrowing, and the sinning. We ask all these things in Jesus' precious name. Amen.