21. BOLDNESS AT THE THRONE OF GRACE

O God, we would not speak to Thee as from a distance, nor stand like trembling Israel under the law at a distance from the burning mount. For we have not come unto Mount Sinai, but unto Mount Zion. And that is a place for holy joy and thankfulness, and not for terror and bondage. Blessed be thy name, O Lord.

We have learned to call thee our Father, which art in heaven. For there is reverence, for thou art in heaven. But there is sweet familiarity, for thou art our Father. We would draw very near to thee now, through Jesus Christ, the mediator. and we would make bold to speak to thee as a man speaketh with his friend. For hast thou not said by thy spirit, let us come boldly unto the throne of the heavenly grace?

We might well start away and flee from thy face if we only remembered our sinfulness. Lord, we do remember it with shame and sorrow. We are grieved to think we should have offended thee should have neglected so long thy sweet love and tender mercy. But we have now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of our souls. Led by such grace, we look to him whom we crucified, and we have mourned for him, and then have mourned for our sin.

Now, Lord, we confess our guilt before thee with tenderness of heart, and we pray thee seal home to every believer here that full and free that perfect and irreversible charter of forgiveness which thou gavest to all them that put their trust in Jesus Christ. Lord, thou hast said it. If we confess our sins, thou art merciful and just to forgive us our sins and to save us from all unrighteousness.

There is the sin confessed. There is the ransom accepted. We therefore know we have peace with God and we bless that glorious one who hath come to finish transgression, to make an end of sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness, which righteousness by faith we take unto ourselves, and thou dost impute unto us.

Now, Lord, wilt thou be pleased to cause all thy children's hearts to dance within them for joy? Oh, help thy people to come to Jesus again today. May we be looking unto him today as we did at the first. May we never take our eyes from his divine person, from his infinite merit, from his finished work, from his living power, or from the expectancy of his speedy coming to judge the world in righteousness and the people with his truth.

Bless all thy people with some special gift. And if we might make a choice of one, it would be this. Quicken us, Lord, according to thy word. We have life. Give it to us more abundantly. Oh, that we might have so much life that out of the midst of us there might flow rivers of living water.

The Lord make us useful. Do, dear Savior, use the very least among us. Take the one talent and let it be put out to interest for the Great Father. May it please thee to show each one of us what thou wouldest have us to do. In our families, in our business, in the walks of ordinary life, may we be serving the Lord. And may we often speak a word for his name and help in some way to scatter the light amongst the ever-growing darkness.

And ere we go hence, May we have sown some seed which we shall bring with us on our shoulders in the form of sheaves of blessing. Oh God, bless our Sunday schools and give a greater interest in such work that there may be no lack of men and women who should be glad and happy in the work of teaching the young. Do impress this, we pray thee, upon thy people just now. Move men who have gifts and abilities also to preach the gospel. There are many that live in villages, and there is no gospel preaching near them. Lord, set them preaching themselves. Wilt thou move some hearts so powerfully that their tongues cannot be quiet any longer, and may they attempt in some way, either personally or by supporting someone, to bring the gospel into dark, benighted hamlets, that the people may know the truth.

O Lord, stir up the dwellers in this great, great city. O arouse us to the spiritual destitution of the masses. O God, help us all by some means, by any means, by every means, to get at the ears of men for Christ's sake, so that we may reach their hearts.

We would send up an exceeding great Bitter cry to thee on behalf of the millions that enter no place of worship, but rather violate its sanctity and despise its blessed message. Lord, wake up London, we beseech thee. Send us another Jonah. Send us another John the Baptist. Oh, that the Christ himself would send forth multitudes of laborers amongst this thick standing corn. For the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Oh God, save this city, save this country, save all countries, and let thy kingdom come. May every knee bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Our most earnest prayers go up to heaven to thee now for great sinners, for men and women that are polluted and depraved by the filthiest of sins. With sovereign mercy, make a raid amongst them. come and capture some of these, that they may become great lovers of him that shall forgive them. And may they become great champions for the cross.

Lord, look upon the multitudes of rich people in this city that know nothing about the gospel and do not wish to know. Oh, that somehow the poor rich might be rich with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And then, Lord, Look upon the multitude of the poor and the working classes that think religion to be a perfectly unnecessary thing for them. Do, by some means we pray thee, get them to think and bring them to listen that faith may come by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Above all, O Holy Spirit, descend more mightily Would God, thou wouldst flood the land till there should be streams of righteousness. For is there not a promise? I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground. Lord, set thy people praying. Stir up the church to greater prayerfulness.

Now, as thou hast fit in us, we pray for the people among whom we dwell. We pray for those in authority in the land. asking every blessing for the sovereign and thy guidance and direction to the parliament. Thy benediction to all judges and rulers as also upon the poorest of the poor and the lowest of the low. Lord, bless the people. Let the people praise thee, O God. Yea, let all the people praise thee for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen and amen. End of prayer 21.