"quicken me after thy loving kindness, so shall i keep the testimony of thy mouth."—psalm cxix. 88.
o god, on this the close of another day, i desire to approach the footstool of thy throne. glory be to thy holy name that i can enjoy freedom of access into thy presence, and with the confidence of a child unburden and unbosom to thee all my wants and sins, my sorrows and infirmities, my perplexities and cares.
lord, how unworthy i am of the least of all thy mercies! what righteous cause hast thou to cut me down as a cumberer of the ground. how cold my love, how unfrequent my prayers! how full my heart of pride and vain-glory, self and sin! how little have i habitually realized thy nearness and sought thy favor as my chief good! there is enough of coldness and formality in my best approaches to thy footstool to lead thee in thy wrath to spurn me forever away, and to mingle my blood with my sacrifices!
i cast myself as a worthless unworthy sinner {27} at the feet of jesus. i need daily, hourly washing at that fountain which he has opened for sin and for uncleanness. wash me, gracious lord, fully, freely, and forever. let me know the blessedness of "no condemnation." deepen my contrition on account of my sin. i am apt to palliate its enormity, to invent vain excuses for its commission, to hide its heinousness from myself, and to hide it from thee. let me see all sin, and my own sin in particular, in the light of calvary's cross. may i hate it with a perfect hatred, and resolve in thy grace that it henceforth have no dominion over me. oh quicken me by the indwelling of thy blessed spirit. may i seek to be progressing in the divine life. may my pathway heavenward be brightened by a lively sense of reconciliation through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
let me lean on thy heavenly arm, seeking thy glory with singleness of eye. may it be my greatest grief to give thee pain, my greatest joy and happiness to do thy will. keep me from all hard thoughts and unrighteous surmises regarding thy dealings. may i see them all as designed to quicken my steps in the heavenly {28} way, to bring me nearer thyself, and to impart an increasing meetness for glory. let thy kingdom come, let thy blessed gospel triumph over the pride and superstition and will-worship of man. put an end to war and discord, and may all the ends of the earth see thy salvation. bless thy ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth, and have no fear but the fear of god.
be the guide and guardian of all whom i love. preserve their bodies from danger and their souls from sin. watch over them and me this night; be about our bed as thou hast been about our path. night after night as i retire to rest may i think of the deeper darkness of the night of death, which must, sooner or later encompass me. reposing in the merits of my gracious redeemer, may i be enabled to look beyond death and the grave, to that morning without clouds, when i shall awake in his likeness, and be ushered into the full vision and fruition of thee my god; and all that i ask or hope for is for his sake. amen.
"let my prayer be set forth before thee as
incense: and the lifting up of my hands
as the evening sacrifice."
