O God, ever blessed and holy! none but the angels and Thy redeemed can serve Thee with a perfect joy. Called in our measure to be perfect as Thou art perfect, we have been most unlike to Thee, and are not worthy to be deemed Thy children. Thirsting with momentary desires, we have forsaken the living springs of heavenly wisdom, of which he that drinketh shall never thirst again. We have been slow to the calls of affection, heedless of the duties, hard under the sorrows, which are Thy gracious discipline; yet are oppressed with cares Thou layest not on us, with ease Thou dost not permit, and wants Thou wilt never bless. Visit us with the wrestlings of Thy Spirit: and lay on us the cross, if we may but grow into the holiness, of Christ—Amen.

James Martineau