Psalm 99:8 Thou wast a God that forgavest them

July 26

Thou wast a God that forgavest them. — Psalm 99:8

Photo: Shutterstock

FATHER, Thou forgives us, so far as we are truly penitent. May we likewise forgive all who sin against us; and all who sin against society; all who sin against Thee; even as Thou forgives us and them. May we count no sin to heinous to pardon; no man too hardened to reclaim; no woman too fallen to uplift. When we forgive the penitent, help us to stand by him against a hard and unforgiving world. Thus may we make our forgiveness a reality in the world, and open the door of genuine social restoration to those who have gone astray.

Help us to find our chief delight in work, wherein we join our hands, our brains, our hearts, to Thy power, Thy laws, Thy love. May we choose that task which most taxes our highest powers, and best serve the world's deepest need. May we do it with such skill, such joy, thoroughness, that it shall have about it the strength of mountains, the freedom of the streams, the gladness of the sunshine, the fertility of the fields, the beauty of the stars and flowers. Thus may we become not mere creatures, but creators; not one of Thy works, but Thy co-workers. Amen.

William De Witt Hyde, D. D., LL.D.,

Brunswick, Maine

Psalm 99:8 Thou answeredst them, Lord our God

April 15

Thou answeredst them, Lord our God. — Psalm 99:8

Photo: Barun Patro

OUR Heavenly Father, we bow before Thee to thank Thee this morning for Thy mercy and love that has brought us again into Thy holy presence.

We have sinned. Wilt Thou forgive us?

We thank Thee for the food Thou hast given us. Wilt Thou also feed our souls with that bread that cometh down from Heaven. We bless Thee for our home. We are thankful for our loved ones. As Thou art present with us here, wilt Thou also abide with those who are bound to us by kindred ties, but are separated from us by distance. We thank Thee for our friends and neighbors, and ask a blessing on them. We thank Thee for the church, and its influence. Give it spiritual power for its tasks in this community and in all the land.

Supply Thy limitless grace to the missionaries who in answer to prayer, Thou hast thrust into the dark places of the earth. May their message be so used by the Holy Spirit, that Thou, Oh Christ, may be known in all the world, and the coming of Thy Kingdom may be hastened!

We ask this, our Heavenly Father, in the Name of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

George Innes,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania