July 16
Let God be magnified. — Psalm 70:4
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| Photo: Shutterstock |
O
GOD our Father, we earnestly desire in these brief moments, to give Thee
thanks for all the blessings which enter into our lives, and enable us to come
to Thee. According to Thy knowledge of us commune with us, and grant us comfort
in sadness, guidance in our perplexities, strength for all duty, and
preservation from all evil. If in anything--in thought, or word, or deed, we
have grieved Thee, forgive us, for His sake Who gave Himself for us; and
wherein we have failed, grant us sufficient grace that we may fail no more. May
Thy Good Spirit make Thee so real to us this day, and reveal Thee to us as so
consciously near, in all that lies before us, that when its hours shall have
passed away forever, there may be left no saddening memory of failure. In all
these things hear us, O Father, for others as well as for ourselves; especially
for all who are dearest to us, whether close at hand or far away. May there
come special blessing to them, even according to all their real need. We
beseech Thee to guide and strengthen all who are fighting the good fight on
behalf of righteousness, and have pity on all who seem to be content with evil.
So do Thou now and ever hear and answer us, beyond all our thought and abide
with us even to the uttermost, for our Savior’s sake. Amen.
Frank Ballard, D.D., M.A.,
Sheffield,
England
March 28
Let those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee. — Psalm 70:4
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| Pgoto: Dog Madic |
OUR
FATHER in Heaven: We come to Thee with our deepest gratitude and love. Thou hast
been a kind Father and a faithful Friend. We thank Thee for daily provision,
for care and guidance and help in business affairs and in our home, for those
"common mercies" which come to us so regularly that we get to
receiving them thoughtlessly and we forget who gives them to us. Most of all,
we thank Thee that Thou dost love us, that Thy pity and compassion are never
withheld from us, that this day and every day Thy "goodness flows around
our incompleteness, round our restlessness Thy rest." In Thy mercy forgive
us. We are so weak and sin so easily that we must daily cast ourselves upon Thy
strength and daily renew our prayer for pardon. Make us strong to resist sin
and to overcome every temptation. All through this day may we be true to all
that is pure and holy and Christ-like. May Thy Kingdom come! Cheer our hearts
with new displays of Thy saving power, with signs and wonders as of old time,
with new miracles of conversion and sanctification. We long to see Christ
recognized and honored by men and by society. Heal our friends who are sick.
Comfort all who are in sorrow. Where heavy burdens are to be borne, give the
courage and the strength to bear them. And keep us all in the love of Jesus,
and in conscious fellowship with Thee. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
W. I. Wishart, D.D.,
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
