Lord Jesus Christ, Author and Finisher of my faith, I thank You for having brought me safely to the end of another week of my earthly journey to heaven. Praise and thanks be to You for having earned a perfect salvation for me, for bringing me to faith in You through the Gospel, and for having kept me in the true faith to this moment. Keep me in my baptismal grace so that I may, at the end of my journey, rejoice with all Your saints over the wonders of Your eternal love.
For the blessings of this past week I thank You, dear Lord, and pray You for Your mercies’ sake to continue to deal graciously with me. Grant Your pardon for the sins by which I have offended You and hurt my neighbor.
Help me to look forward eagerly to the privilege of entering Your house of worship tomorrow. Grant me the grace to believe what I shall hear from Your Word, and give me the joy of offering to You the sacrifices of my praise.
Lord, You have opened my eyes to the beauty of Your grace. Close my eyes in rest, and let me see in the morning the sunshine of Your favor and the brightness of Your glory.
“O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me! Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou discernest my thoughts from afar…Even before a word is on my tongue, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.”
As I begin a new day with You, search my heart, dear Lord, and purify my affections so that I may love only those things which please You, and put You first in everything.
Help me to overcome the temptations I will meet today. Strengthen my faith that victory over the devil may be mine to Your glory. Keep me mindful of the sufficiency of Your grace, and let Your strength be made perfect in my weakness.
give me the grace to guard against sins of the tongue, and preserve me from thinking evil in my heart against my neighbor. Teach me the joy of walking the ways of Your commandments, and bless those who walk in Your fear and favor.
Watch over me today when dangers overtake me, and ward off any evil of body or soul. If afflictions are to come to me this day by Your gracious direction, Keep me humble and obedient to Your loving will.
Thank You, Lord God, for all Your past benefits and for Your promises of future mercies. Direct my days so that I may learn to praise You better tonight for the favors of today.
Apr 13th, 2012
