Monday, Week 13

And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
— James 4:3 (BSB)

To pray as God would have us pray is the greatest achievement of earth. Such a life costs. It takes time.
— Samuel Chadwick

Father, may the light of Sunday stream down through all the days of the week. May Sunday's blessings overflow into the common days, like water from a great fountain, and may all the week be holier, brighter, sweeter, purer, and happier therefor.

We address ourselves now again to toil and conflict. We have had our day of rest, and now we hear the command, "Six days shall You labor," calling us afield. Help us to shake off all sloth — and to be diligent, earnest, and faithful in our labor. Save us from indolence and half-heartedness. Whatever our hands find to do, may we do with our might. As the time is short and ever shortening for us — may we redeem every moment of it from waste, and give it something worthy to carry forward for eternity. May we be diligent in business, doing all our daily work with energy, with carefulness, with all the skill we can command, so as to please You.

Help us to make this a profitable week, the best we have ever lived — a week of usefulness, a week of spiritual growth, a week of education, a week of love and all good serving of each other and of our fellows.

We beseech You to forgive us all our sins and to make us more and more conscious of our personal unworthiness, and our constant need of divine cleansing. Let no iniquity gain or hold dominion over us. Subdue in us all evil propensities and desires. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation. Send us out today as Your messengers, to carry Your words of comfort and life to others and to do errands for You. Help us to be a blessing to many. Give us a profitable day, and bring us together at its close in peace and love. We ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.