Wednesday; Series 2
Morning
O God, we acknowledge Thee as the God in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways. We laid us down in peace and slept, and Thou, Lord, didst make us to dwell in safety. Help us, we fervently beseech Thee, in our morning sacrifice of prayer and praise, which we now offer unto Thee through our Redeemer and Advocate, Jesus Christ, to feel truly penitent for all our sins, and in humble faith and love to consecrate ourselves anew to Thy service in all holiness and piety.
We adore Thee, most faithful Saviour, Thou Angel of the covenant, that Thou hast exalted us as a family to a living relationship with Thee. We bless Thee, that in holy baptism Thou hast sealed us and our children as Thine, and made us partakers together of the rich blessings of the better covenant. May we not make the grace of God of none effect through our unbelief, but use all diligence to attain to the end of our calling, even the salvation of our souls. By the continual remembrance of Thy mercy, through the help of the Holy Spirit, may we be effectually restrained from sin, greatly cheered in Thy service, more cordially united in mutual love and sympathy, and urged to press forward together toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, in Christ Jesus our Lord. And thus, as we sojourn together, in faith and hope, in this earthly home, may we at last be united forever in the mansions of our Father’s house on high.
Visit with Thy love and saving grace, we entreat Thee, the families of all our dear friends and kindred. May they also have a living share in Thy covenant mercy, be the true friends and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ; and in Him may they, finally, be heirs with us, of the inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.
Bless, we implore Thee, Thy holy Church universal, and especially that portion of it to which we belong. Smile upon all her institutions of learning. Make them rich sources of sound knowledge and true piety, and instrumental in furnishing efficient pastors and teachers for our congregations. Grant abundant success to all the missionary and other Christian enterprises in which our Church is engaged, that her waste places may be cultivated, and all her spiritual destitutions speedily supplied. Thus may the grace shown to our fathers be magnified in their children, and the precious inheritance which we have received be handed down in full measure to future generations.
Hear us, O Lord, in these our fervent petitions, and grant unto us and all men, far above all that we are able to ask or think, or can ever deserve, only for the sake of our Lord and Mediator, Jesus Christ.
Evening
A LITANY.
LORD, have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us and grant us Thy peace.
Hear us and grant us Thy peace.
Jesus, the Son of the living God, the Eternal Word, the Brightness of the Father’s glory, and express Image of His person:
Have mercy upon us.
Jesus, the Son of Man, conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, meek and humble of heart, obedient unto death, the example of all virtues, the Way, the Truth, and the Life:
Have mercy upon us.
Jesus, the Author of life, the Captain of salvation, the eternal Highpriest, the Prince of Peace:
Have mercy upon us.
Jesus, the Joy of angels, the Hope of the patriarchs, the Inspirer of the prophets, the Teacher of the apostles, the Strength of martyrs, the King of saints:
Have mercy upon us.
From all sin and evil, from death and hell:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.
By Thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by Thy holy Words and Deeds; by Thine Agony and bloody Sweat; by Thy bitter Cross and Passion; by Thy Death and Burial; by Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; by Thy Sitting at the right hand of the Father Almighty, and Thy Return to judge the quick and the dead:
Deliver us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world:
Have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world:
Hear our prayers.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world:
Grant us Thy peace.
A Liturgy, or Order of Christian Worship Prepared and Published by the German Reformed Church in the United States of America (Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1857) pp. 323-326. Copyright Public Domain.