Wesley Corpus

Never punish our past sins, by giving us over to the power of our sins; but pardon all our sins, and save us from all our iniquities. And grant us, O good God, the continual sense of thy gracious acceptance of us, in the Son of thy love, that our souls may bless thee, and “all that is within us may praise thy holy name.” And O that we may find the joy of the Lord to be our strength; to defend us from all our sins, and to make us more zealous of every good work; that herein we may “exercise ourselves, to have a conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards men.” O help us “to walk circumspectly; not as fools, but as wise,” carefully “redeeming the time,” improving all those seasons and means of grace which thou art pleased to put into our hands. Sanctify to us all our employ ments in the world; our crosses, also, and our comforts; all the estates we go through, and all the events that befal us; till, through the merits of thy Son, and the multitude of thy mercies, we are conducted safe to “be ever with the Lord.” Thou “hast laid help for us upon One that is mighty;” that is “able to save unto the uttermost all those who come unto God through him.” Through him thou hast encouraged us to come boldly, that we “may obtain mercy, and find grace. to help in time of need.” Help us, we beseech thee, to demean ourselves as becomes the children of God, the redeemed of the Lord, the members of Christ. Put thy Spirit within us, causing us to walk in thy statutes, and to keep thy judg ments, and do them. Yea, let it be our meat and drink to do thy will, and to run the way of thy commandments. O gracious Father, keep us, we pray thee, this day in thy fear and favour, and teach us, in all our thoughts, words, and works, to live to thy glory. If thou guide us not, we go. astray; if thou uphold us not, we fall. O let thy good pro vidence be our defence, and thy good Spirit our guide, and counsellor, and supporter in all our ways.