392

AGAINST OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMIES.

CCIX.

PRAYER AGAINST OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMIES.

O Lord, thou knowest that we have great and mighty enemies. We have a heart of fearful wickedness within, O teach us to subdue the lusts of the flesh, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. An insnaring world is around us, teach us to know its snares, of which we are so ignorant; and since thou hast said, This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, O give us this conquering faith. Teach us above all not to be ignorant of the devices of Satan, our cruel, real, hateful foe, who is always striving to drag us to destruction. Thou knowest, Lord, where this great enemy of our souls has any peculiar advantage over us. As thou didst pray for Peter, so that his faith failed not, watch over, guard and keep us that we too may not fail. Oh give us the shield of faith to quench his fiery darts, and make us more than conquerors through him who hath loved us. Bruise Satan under our feet shortly, and give unto us a new song of praise and thanksgiving. And when we fall, for there is no man that sinneth not, may we experience the peculiar faithfulness and tenderness which thou showest unto thy backsliding children, and know the truth of the promise, "I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned from them." Hear us for Christ's sake. away

CCX.

ON RECEIVING INJURIES FROM OTHERS.

Merciful Parent, God of all grace, we come before thee with the joyful assurance that we are approaching One of infinite wisdom, almighty power, holy love, and unfailing goodness and compassion. Man, we find by our own experience, ever fails in some points; O may we be led, the more we see of human weakness, waywardness, hardness and unkindness, to cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, and to delight in the glory of our God. And if others do us evil, may we have that especial grace from thee which leads us to seek to overcome evil with good. May we live in the Spirit, and walk after the Spirit. May we remember our own many and great and oft-repeated offences against thee, and thy free and renewed and full forgiveness of all in Christ Jesus. May we follow the example of thy forgiving love, who for Christ's sake hast forgiven us. O let not our hearts dwell, Lord, here below, fixed on the cares and troubles of this lower world, but may we live in the light of thy love and be daily more and more prepared for thy coming glory. Enable us to rise above the clouds of this world, to the glorious sunshine of that eternal love which thou hast revealed to us, and in which we hope to dwell with thee for ever, through Jesus our Redeemer.

394

DELIVERANCE FROM COVETOUSNESS.

CCXI.

PRAYER FOR PATIENCE.

O Lord, who seest our sad impatience and fretfulness when disturbed by any thing that crosses and goes contrary to us, have mercy upon us, and pardon our great sinfulness. O help us to learn of Jesus who was meek and lowly in heart, that we may find rest to our souls. May we thus walk worthy of our calling, in all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In our patience may we possess our souls, and let that patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Give us grace to remember that the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, patient, and in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, showing all meekness to all men. us this Christ-like and humble spirit, to the glory of thy great name, and the daily peace and comfort of ourselves and all around us, through Jesus our Redeemer.

CCXII.

TO BE DELIVERED FROM COVETOUSNESS.

Give

Give us, Lord, full confidence in thee, not only for present mercy, but for all that is to come; thus let our conversation be without covetousness. May we

TO WALK IN THE PATH OF DUTY.

395

all remember thy solemn charge to take heed of covetousness, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. Give us a large heart for thee and for thy cause, and so may we be rich towards God. Let us be content with such things as thou hast given us, and let us trust in thy gracious promise that thou wilt never leave us, wilt never forsake us. And not only let us trust thee in temporal things, but as regards our eternal interests also, may we believe that thy sheep shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of thy hand. Thus enable us, O our God, to be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known unto thee, for our Redeemer's sake, who, though Lord of all, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.

CCXIII.

FOR GRACE TO WALK IN THE PATH OF DUTY, Enable us, Lord, to fulfil our duties to thee and to each other. May we know that the path of duty is the path of happiness; make us quick to discern it, and bold and steadfast to pursue it. Knowing that the Lord is our helper, and that thou art the rewarder of all them that diligently seek thee, may we go on fearlessly in a straightforward course, seeking thy glory; but may we never in the boldness of the true disciples of Christ forget the humility and meekness

396

FOR LIKE-MINDEDNESS TO CHRIST.

which becomes us. May we give up and mortify all our self-wisdom, self-will, and self-righteousness, and be ever ready to concede to others, where concession does not interfere with the glory of our Saviour; looking to him who pleased not himself, but endured the contradiction of sinners, and so attained the joy set before him. Hear us for his name's sake.

CCXIV.

FOR GRACE TO CONFESS THE TRUTH.

We thank thee, Lord, for the many precious promises of thy word, and for the assurance,-I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. May we, trusting in this, boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Preserve us, we beseech thee, from being ashamed of the gospel of Christ. May we know that it is the power of God unto salvation. May we be valiant for thy truth, and never fear to speak it with boldness; but make us at the same time meek and humble, as those whose sins have been pardoned by the blood of Christ, for his sake. Amen.

CCXV.

FOR LIKE-MINDEDNESS TO CHRIST.

Lord, thou hast said, "Ask, and ye shall have, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." In full confidence that what is spoken