"therefore being justified by faith we have peace with god through our lord jesus christ."—rom. v. 1.
gracious god, i would seek to end another day with thee; i would desire to look up to thee through jesus christ, thy well-beloved son, and to be made partaker of that peace which passeth all understanding. there is no other refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn spirit. in vain amid other portions and meaner joys can i say to my soul "peace, peace." there is no peace! but reposing, blessed saviour, on thy finished work and everlasting righteousness, i have a peace which the world knows not of, and which enables me to rise superior to all the vicissitudes and changes of this changing life.
i desire to remember with a grateful heart that this peace has been purchased for me by the blood of the cross—that it is made as sure as everlasting power and wisdom and faithfulness can make it. o thou great prince, who {33} hast power with god and dost prevail, i would lift the undivided eye of faith to thy bleeding sacrifice! do thou dispel every disquieting fear with the thought that thou hast done all, and suffered all, and procured all for me. being justified by faith, i have peace with god through the lord jesus christ. i rejoice in the plenitude of thy promises, that they are all yea and amen to them that believe. man's word may fail, man's faithfulness may falter, but "the word of the lord is tried," thy faithfulness is unto all generations!
o god, enable me to rejoice more and more in thee as my everlasting portion. may i know nothing to compare with the enjoyment of thy favor. other props may be removed, other refuges may prove refuges of lies, but thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
give me grace to be active in thy service while it is called to-day. opportunities are fleeting. the night cometh wherein none of us can work. may simple believing be followed by the earnest cultivation of every christian virtue, and by progressive advancement in the {34} heavenly life. may i faithfully employ the talents thou hast intrusted to me, and seek never to be weary in well doing. preserve me from every unholy temper and unchristian deed. may i be gentle and meek, patient and forgiving, kind and benevolent, living in charity towards all men.
on all my beloved friends i supplicate thy richest blessing. protect them with thy favor as with a shield. sanctify them, body, soul, and spirit. seal them unto the day of eternal redemption.
bless all poor afflicted ones. let them receive largely out of the wells of thine own everlasting consolation. let them see thy sovereign hand alone in their trials, and say with unrepining submission, "the lord's will be done!"
lord, take the charge of me through the silent watches of the night. may i fall asleep listening to the gracious benediction, "peace be unto you." and when the gates of the morning are opened, may it be to hear anew thy voice saying, "my presence will go with {35} you." hear, accept, and answer me, for the redeemer's sake. amen.
"let my prayer be set forth before thee as
incense: and the lifting up of my hands
as the evening sacrifice."
