from "The Valley of Vision", a collection of Puritan Prayers compiled by Arthur Bennett
O MY SAVIOUR,
Help me.
I am so slow to learn,
so prone to forget,
so weak to climb;
I am in the foothills when I should be
on the heights;
I am pained by my graceless heart,
my prayerless days,
my poverty of love,
my sloth in the heavenly race,
my sullied conscience,
my wasted hours,
my unspent opportunities.
I am blind while light shines around me:
take the scales from my eyes,
grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.
Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,
meditate on thee,
gaze on thee,
sit like Mary at thy feet,
lean like John on thy breast,
appeal like Peter to thy love,
count like Paul all things dung.
Give me increase and progress in grace
so that there may be
more decision in my character,
more vigour in my purposes,
more elevation in my life,
more fervour in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.
As I have a position in the world,
keep me from making the world my position;
May I never seek in the creature
what can be found only in the Creator;
Let not faith cease from seeking thee
until it vanishes into sight.
Ride forth in me, thou King of kings
and Lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously,
and in victory attain my end.
I am so slow to learn,
so prone to forget,
so weak to climb;
I am in the foothills when I should be
on the heights;
I am pained by my graceless heart,
my prayerless days,
my poverty of love,
my sloth in the heavenly race,
my sullied conscience,
my wasted hours,
my unspent opportunities.
I am blind while light shines around me:
take the scales from my eyes,
grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.
Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,
meditate on thee,
gaze on thee,
sit like Mary at thy feet,
lean like John on thy breast,
appeal like Peter to thy love,
count like Paul all things dung.
Give me increase and progress in grace
so that there may be
more decision in my character,
more vigour in my purposes,
more elevation in my life,
more fervour in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.
As I have a position in the world,
keep me from making the world my position;
May I never seek in the creature
what can be found only in the Creator;
Let not faith cease from seeking thee
until it vanishes into sight.
Ride forth in me, thou King of kings
and Lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously,
and in victory attain my end.
Every part of this prayer touches me , but the phrase I look forward to saying in my spirit is "lean like John on thy breast,". Jesus, I long to recline at the table, lean against you and have supper together! Help me to know like John did that I am the one you love. Amen
ReplyDeleteGive me increase and progress in grace. Make it my chiefest joy to study thee. You are worthy, Lord. Amen.
ReplyDeleteMay I never seek in the creature what can be found only in the Creator.
ReplyDeleteYes & amen. This world is not my home.
DeleteJesus I desire more of you ...Give me increase and progress in grace
ReplyDeleteso that there may be more decision in my character, more vigour in my purposes,more elevation in my life,more fervour in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.
Jesus, I am blind while light shines around me: take the scales from my eyes, grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief. Amen.
ReplyDeleteI long to sit at your feet, dear Jesus. I want to lean up against you, to soak in your presence. The Presence. Oh, Lord, let not my faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight. I long for the day when my sight is no longer dim but I see you clearly, on your throne above! You are beautiful and you are worthy. Amen.
ReplyDeleteO MY SAVIOUR, Help me live. Amen
ReplyDeleteRide forth in me, thou King of Kings and Lord of lords, that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end. Come, Lord Jesus. Even so, come. Amen.
ReplyDelete