Thursday, Week 6

Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
— Matthew 26:41 (BSB)

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words, than your words be without heart.
— John Bunyan

O Lord, we bow before You in loving reverence. From You come all our mercies — and we would praise You. We are sinful — and You are holy. We are not worthy to approach You. Yet you have made a way of access to You, so that we can draw near to You with boldness — as children to a father. Lord, make clean our hearts as we come to You. Fill us with Your Spirit, so that, being renewed in the temper and spirit of our minds, we may exhibit in our daily walk, all the virtues and graces of the Christian life.

We need washing tonight after the day's journey in the sin-soiled world.
Our feet have been soiled in the dust as we have walked on earth's roads,
our hands have been stained with the evil that is in the world,
our lips have been defiled with the words we have spoken which we ought not to have spoken, and
our hearts have been made unclean by the wrong thoughts, feelings, and imaginations which they have cherished.
May You cleanse us tonight. Wash us — and we shall be whiter than snow!

We have cares and worries which distract us at the close of the day. Help us to lay them all in Your hands — and leave them there. Give us Your peace. Help us to cast our burden upon You, and to leave it there. Make all things work together for our good.

Have pity tonight, O God, upon the sorrowing, sinning world. Remember the poor, and open the hearts of those who have plenty that they may help those who lack. Look down in compassion upon the sick, and give them relief or patience to endure their pain. Give comfort to those who are in sorrow. Hear us in these our evening prayers, we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.