The Fifteenth of May.

I BOW MY KNEES . . . --- Epensians 3:14-16.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened, etc." --- Epensians 3:14-16.

Read on to verse 21. This is a prayer and form fit to be used by ministers for their congregations, and by all Christians for themselves: it may be used as a daily prayer; we should offer it up in faith, without apprehending that the favour we ask is too great.

God will do exceedingly more for us than we can either ask or understand. Whatever we ask, he will grant us still more; for though we are sinners; and to every one of us (chapter 4:7) is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, that we may enjoy all things richly, Christ being rich towards all them that call upon him.

O God, thou art our Father, reconciled to us in Christ; grant us, therefore, power, great power, according to the riches of thy glory, not according to the narrowness of our hearts. We stand in need of great power, for we have great enemies: strengthen us by thy Spirit in the inner man. Lord Jesus, do thou dwell in our hearts, and grant us to be rooted in thy love, that we may know it more and more, and that it may be shed abroad in our hearts, and that we may be filled with all the fulness of God.

To thee, my God, I daily sigh,
But not for golden stores;
Nor covet I the brightest gem
On the rich eastern shores.

Nor pleasure's soft, enticing charms
My fond desires allure;
Far greater things than earth can yield
My wishes would secure.

Though blissful, those transporting smiles,
That brighten heaven above
The boundless riches of thy grace,
The treasures of thy love.