Soli Deo Gloria

I have never been one for books of prayers or written prayers. The only thing I think that should ever be read to God is His own word. However, there is a little book chocked full of a collection of small but powerful prayers written centuries ago by the Puritans. The book is called “The Valley of Vision”. I’ve become so fond of these short prayers that I read them to my Sunday school class before each lesson. The Puritans had an understanding of God’s sovereignty, His grace and the need for mortification of sin unlike any other group. This understanding shows with brilliant fire in these prayers. One of my favorites in the collection (and it’s hard to deem a favorite) is called “The Personal Touch”. Enjoy…

Thou great I AM,
I acknowledge and confess that all things come of Thee -
life, breath, happiness, advancement, sight, touch, hearing, goodness, truth, beauty -
all that makes existence amiable.

In the spiritual world also I am dependent entirely upon Thee.
Give me grace to know more of my need of grace;
Show me my sinfulness that I may willingly confess it;
Reveal to me my weakness that I may know my strength in Thee.

I thank Thee for any sign of penitence;
give me more of it;
My sins are black and deep,
and rise from a stony, proud, self-righteous heart;
Help me to confess them with mourning, regret, self-loathing
with no pretence to merit or excuse;

I need healing,
Good Physician, here is the scope for Thee;
come and manifest They power;

I need faith;
Thou who hast given it me, maintain, strengthen, increase it,
Centre ut upon the Savior’s work,
upon the majesty of the Father,
upon the operations of the Spirit;

Work it in me now that I may never doubt Thee
as the truthful, mighty, faithful God.
Then I can bring my heart to Thee
full of love, gratitude, hope, joy.

May I lay at Thy feet these fruits grown in Thy garden,
love Thee with a passion that can never cool,
believe in Thee with a confidence that never staggers,
hope in Thee with an expectation that can never be dim,
delight in Thee with a rejoicing that cannot be stifled,
glorify Thee with the highest of my powers, burning,
blazing, glowing, radiating, as from Thy own glory.

Amen.

Daily Walk