Family Prayers By Ashton Oxenden & C. H. Ramsden   FIRST WEEK—THURSDAY EVENING   O THOU high and lofty One, that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, we desire now to draw near to Thy mercy-seat with reverence and godly fear. We are not worthy to lift up our hearts and our voices unto Thee; but He is worthy in whose holy name we come, even Jesus our Mediator and Redeemer. For His sake incline Thine ear, and hearken to this our evening prayer.   Thou Lord, are kind even to the unthankful and the evil; and, not withstanding our unprofitableness and sin, Thou has been good and kind to us this day. Thou has graciously watched over us, and kept us from hour to hour. We thank Thee for health and strength, for food and clothing; for deliverance from the evils and sorrows which so many of our fellow-creatures have this day suffered and for the many comforts and blessings which we enjoy.   But, O God, while Thou does so mercifully provide for our bodily comfort, we would ask blessings also for our souls. We pray that we may be strengthened with might by Thy Spirit in the inner man. We pray that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened, so that we may know more clearly the great and precious truths of Thy Word. We pray that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith and that, being rooted and grounded in love, we may know more and more of the love of Christ which passes knowledge.   Lord, we ask forgiveness for the sins and shortcomings of the past day. We have left undone what we ought to have done, and we have done what we ought not to have done. Pardon our iniquities, we beseech Thee; and while we confess our sins, give us grace to hate them, and strength to fight against them.   Grant us, O God, an increasing fitness for our heavenly inheritance, Enable us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   Thou bids us to make prayers and supplications for others. We pray therefore for our elected officials, that under them we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Make peace in all our borders, and grant that Christianity may flourish in our land.   And now, Lord, be about our bed through the hours of darkness. Keep our bodies in safety, and our minds in peace. Let our last thoughts, before we sleep, be of Thee; and let our first desires, when we awake, be towards Thee.  Make us to feel that both by day and by night Thou art our ever-watchful Guardian. And do Thou pardon, guide, and bless us, henceforth and forever, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.   The Lord bless us, and keep us: the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. Amen. ____________________________________________________ Family Prayers, Ashton Oxenden & C.H. Ramsden Edited & Reprinted by Chuck Long.  Website: www.Godsgwg.com. Email: Godsgwg@juno.com