Thursday

they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.-Isaiah 40: 1-5; 25-31.

O Lord, help us to have a deeper view of Thy unfailing goodness. We are often tempted to question Thy love, especially when difficulty attacks us and sorrow visits us. We murmur and grow restless and impatient, and feel that we are unjustly treated. But such conclusions are due to our shortsightedness. We do not take time to consider that much of the distress of the world is due to man's ignorance, sinfulness, and carelessness. We personally may be free from particular blame, but as we are members of society, we are called to share what of it is good and evil. Enlighten us, O God, to a sense of social responsibility and may we realize that it is as each one does his share that evil and wrongdoing can finally be removed. Let us be conscious of Thy guiding hand and comforting presence and not become weary or fainthearted, but hold firm to Thy counsels, obtain the uplift of prayer and follow close after the Lord Christ, whose sympathy and benediction are the joy and rejoicing of our lives. We pray not only for our family, that we may have these blessings, but for every family, that we may all make the eternal God our Refuge and know that underneath are the everlasting Arms, to sustain and strengthen and sanctify us, for His name's sake.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Friday

Friday: SINCERITY AND UNITY

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -Matthew 7:7, 8.

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.-Matthew 6:1-8.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.-Matthew 18: 19, 20.

Friday

Teach us, O Lord, how to pray with gladsome confidence. Thou dost not consider the many words, but the earnest spirit and the sincere motive. We do not have to flatter Thee with our wordy speeches nor tire Thee with noisy petitions. In the matter of prayer, may we follow the practice of our Master. In the early morning, before the distractions of the day, and at even, after the labors of the day, He sought Thy presence and received refreshment and repose. He was thus able to meet difficulties without fear, to perform His duties with faith and to carry with Him the atmosphere of spiritual fragrance. Let us always see to it that our heart is fixed trusting in God, and that our life is hid with Christ in God. With such an experience, we can dispel anxiety, acquire firmness, become loveworthy, and honor Thee with our substance and in all things. We thank Thee that Thou hast not failed us at any time and we pray that the spirit of trustfulness and trustworthiness may give the right tone to our life. May we find that through prayer, closed doors can be opened, hard tasks accomplished, heavy burdens borne, and character made the better for the discipline. Keep us in Thy love, through Jesus Christ.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Saturday

Saturday: ASSURANCE FROM EXPERIENCE

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -Matthew 7:7, 8.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.-Psalm 40: I-II.

[Saturday

Truly, a mighty fortress is our God. In the hour of temptation and struggle, Thou hast come to the relief of Thy people and they have praised Thy name for the enduring goodness of Thy grace. We join with the ransomed in celebrating Thy benefits. The divine promises have increased our courage and we have been strengthened to overcome sin. Implant Thy Spirit of freedom more deeply in our heart, that we may delight to do Thy will and scorn whatever is unworthy of Thy truth. May we be alert to obey Thee with the promptness of the angelic hosts, that Thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Look upon us, members of a family, who offer to Thee the worship of gratitude. Remember all who are absent from us and guide them towards a closer walk with Thee. Bless every home in the land. Be specially gracious to those who are bearing the weight of sorrow and may they be sustained by the consolations of the Gospel of the living, the loving, and the lifting Christ. May we all continue in the patience of faith, in the endurance of hope, and in the practice of love, until the day dawns and these shadows flee away.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.