He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

[Then all devoutly kneeling, shall follow these Prayers and Responses.]

Let us pray.

(Reader.) The Lord be with you. (Response.) And with thy spirit.

O Eternal God, who makest the day and night to succeed each other in wonderful order; to Thee we again draw near with reverence and godly fear. We adore Thee for leading us safely through the past day, keeping us from many dangers that might have come upon us, and sparing us from many trials.

Before we go to rest this night, help us to look back on the time that is past, with earnest and humble examination of our hearts and lives. Day by day the record flies up to Thee, of many faults or failures on our part. When we compare our lives with the rules of Thy Holy Word, we must abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. Poor are our best endeavours to do our duty: and cold our warmest thoughts of Thee. Too often we have been forgetful or careless; too often our deceitful hearts have wandered from the narrow path of Thy laws. We are weak in checking evil, our good resolutions have soon died away, and besetting faults have overcome us. We fear that hasty words or murmuring thoughts have grieved Thee often; and even our holiest duties have been blemished with sin.

(Response.) I have gone astray like a lost sheep, seek Thy servant, O Lord.

O Father of mercies, we lament over these our faults, we mourn over our unworthiness, we repent us of our sinfulness. When we think what we are in Thy sight, we are covered with shame and confusion of face. If Thou wert strict to mark iniquity, we could not stand before Thee; nor venture so much as to lift up our eyes to heaven.

(Response.) God be merciful to me a sinner.

All glory be to Thee, therefore, that yet we may have hope; all praise to Thee for that wondrous Atonement, by which Thou hast made a way to approach Thee without fear. We thank Thee for the message of mercy given us in Thy well-beloved Son, reconciling Thine honour with our safety. We adore Thee, a just God and yet a Saviour; in Thy wisdom, condemning sin; while, in Thy goodness, saving us sinners.

(Response.) O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.

O most loving Saviour, let the merits of Thy obedience atone for our faults, let the robe of Thy righteousness cover our guilt, let the suffering of Thy Cross deliver us from eternal punishment. Thou hast already died for us, O then keep safe our souls which we commit to Thy trust.

(Response.) We are Thine, save us, O Lord.

Now, O merciful Father in Christ, grant us peace with Thee this night, for Christ Jesus' sake. In Him we seek rest unto our souls: lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

May our sleep this night be peaceful. Into Thy hands we commend our spirits; while for our wearied bodies we seek repose. We know the darkness is no

darkness to Thee; and in the comfort of believing that Thou neither slumberest nor sleepest, we trust ourselves to Thy care. May Thine angels encamp around us: let no powers of darkness molest us, may no alarms cause us fear, may we dread nothing but sin.

Extend Thy protecting care to those that are dear to us. Refresh them and us this night, so that in safety we may rise to another day, looking up to the Sun of our souls, and rejoicing in His heavenly light.

(Response.) Let our prayer be set forth as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice.

[Here may be added any special Prayers.]

These our feeble prayers we now present unto Thee, in the name, and with the words of our great High Priest and Mediator:

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

(Reader.) Now the Lord of peace, Himself, give you peace always, by all means. Amen.

Thursday Morning.

(Reader.) PEACE be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

[Verses to be said alternately.]

1. Know that Jehovah thy God, He is God, the faithful God; which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him, and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.

2. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

4. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

5. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.

6. For the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

7. It is a faithful saying, If we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us.

8. He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

9. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works.

10. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for He is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works.

[Doxology, to be said by all.]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

[Verses before reading.]

Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I should not sin against Thee.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Even by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.

[Here follows the reading of the Scriptures.]

[Verses before Prayer.]

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, O that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my