as we pass along the miry paths
of life. By Henry Law. O Lord, our Lord,
how excellent is your name in all the earth! You have set your
glory above the heavens. From your high throne behold
with gracious eye your humble servants. We would not cross
the threshold of this day without committing ourselves, our souls
and bodies, all our concerns and all our friends to your guardian
care. We know that we are not our own. We desire to be wholly yours. Watch over us, keep us, guide
us, direct us, sanctify us, and bless us. Incline our hearts
to delight in your holy ways. As the potter frames the clay,
may you mold us wholly into the blessed image of Jesus. Make
us vessels of honour, fitted for your service. May our lips,
as well-tuned harps, sound the sweet melody of your heavenly
praise. May all around take knowledge
of us, that we have been with Jesus. that we are dead to earthly
vanities, crucified with Christ, yet living by your Spirit, trampling
the world beneath our spurning feet, having no conformity to
its lying vanities, but being transformed by the renewing of
our minds, clad in your whole armour, shining as lights in
the dark world, and having holiness to the Lord conspicuous on our
brow. We do not know with what matters
we may be intermingled with this day. Let no evil soil our hands. Help us, as we pass along the
miry paths of life, to keep our garments pure from all spot and
stain. while transacting needful concerns,
may our affections be high in heaven with you. As the flame
tends upwards, so may the fire of heavenly love in our souls,
kindled and fanned by your Holy Spirit, be ever ascending in
a brighter and purer blaze. Keep our gaze immovably fixed,
not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen
are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal. Open our eyes to see emptiness,
fragility, and mockery inscribed on all earth's vanities. They cannot satisfy. As a shadow
they depart and flee away. While we grasp them, they are
gone. May we view all things in the
mirror of eternity. Impress on us the solemn truth
that in a little while the heavens will disappear with a roar the
elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything
in it will be laid bare. May we move through this world
with one aspiration ever swelling within our hearts. Come, Lord
Jesus, come quickly.