We come to Your feet, our Father, to receive Your blessing as we go out into the world. We want to make this a beautiful day. Help us to be diligent. Cover us with Your wings of love. Let us not lean to our own understanding, nor follow the devices and desires of our own deceitful hearts. May we live today in You and for You — honoring You in all that we do and say.
We humbly seek Your favor upon the work of our hands. Help us to do it well. Save us from all negligence, and from laziness. We would honor You in the commonest tasks of this day. May we do them all as under Your eye, and for Your inspection. Save us from being satisfied with low ideals and attainments. Help us to do our best, even in the smallest things.
Sanctify our influence — so that we may be a blessing to all whose lives we touch. Let us not be hinderers of the good or the joy of any other. Let us not be discouragers of those who are struggling with hardship or trial or temptation — but may we rather be encouragers of all whom we meet. May we carry cheer in our faces — and be inspirers of cheer in others. Keep the door of our lips, that we may speak no uncharitable words. May our conversation be such as will help others.
We pray for our friends. Some of them are carrying heavy burdens. Some of them are sick. We pray that You will heal and comfort the sick, and strengthen those whose loads are too great for them to bear. We beseech You to care for the poor and all who are in any trouble. Send to us any in need whom You would have us to befriend or relieve, or send us to them with some blessing.
Hear us in our prayers and bless us, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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SATURDAY EVENING
We must keep ourselves in Your hands, our Father, for if we should fall out of those blessed hands — it would be into eternal damnation. In You, we live and move and have our being. We acknowledge this dependence, and come to You tonight, to surrender ourselves to You. Into Your hands we commit our spirits, O Lord God of truth, for You have redeemed us. Wherein we have failed to live and act as Yours, Your redeemed ones — may You forgive us. Bless what we have done. Sanctify our influence upon others. May the day's experiences be enriching to ourselves, and through them may we be prepared for holier, more abundant life.
Father, we want to learn the lessons You have set for us. We are not in this world just to make a living — but are here at Your school. You are giving us new lessons to learn each day. You would teach us to be patient, to be submissive to Your will, to trust You when the way is dark, to be true and faithful in all duty. We are not always good scholars. Sometimes we do not accept Your teaching. We do not submit ourselves to Your will. We do not trust — when we cannot see the way. Forgive our dullness and slowness in learning, and help us to take all our lessons more sweetly in the future. Teach us . . .
to do Your will,
to walk in Your ways,
to please You in all things, and
to grow into all spiritual beauty.
We ask now for personal blessings on the members of our family. You know each one's particular needs. Grant to us that which will be the best blessing and favor. If any of us are careless, make us more careful. If any of us are in special danger of falling into temptation, or of making a mistake in a friendship — deliver us and bless us. We ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.