Soli Deo Gloria

Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest all that on Thee call;
To them that seek Thee Thou art good,
To them that find Thee, all in all.

We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still;
We drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee
Where’er our changeful lot is cast;
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see;
Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay;
Make all our moments calm and bright;
Chase the dark night of sin away:
Shed o’er our souls Thy holy light.

Bernard of Clairvax (1091-1153)

O Holy Spirit,
As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water, heaven full of glory, so may my heart by full of Thee. Vain are all divine purposes of love and the redemption wrought by Jesus except Thou work within, regenerating by Thy power, giving me eyes to see Jesus, showing me the realities of the unseen world.

Give me Thyself without measure, as an unimpaired fountain, as inexhaustible riches. I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness, imperfect vision, languid service, prayerless prayers, praiseless praise. Suffer me not to grieve or resist Thee.

Come as power, to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me Thine; come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding; come as love, that I may adore the Father, and love Him as my all; come as joy, to dwell in me, move in me, animate me; come as light, illuminating the Scriptures, moulding me in its laws; come as sanctifier, body, soul and spirit wholly Thine; come as helper, with strength to bless and keep, directing my every step; come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos. Magnify to me Thy glory by being magnified in me, and make me redolent of Thy fragrance.

From Valley of Vision – A Collection of Puritan Prayers

LORD JESUS CHRIST,
Fill me with Thy Spirit that I may be occupied with His presence. I am blind – send Him to make me see; dark – let Him say, ‘Let there be light’! May He give me faith to behold my name engraved on Thy hand, my soul and body redeemed by Thy blood, my sinfulness covered by the life of pure obedience.

Replenish me by His revealing grace, that I may realize my indissoluble union with Thee; that I may know Thou hast espoused me to Thyself forever, in righteousness, love, mercy, faithfulness; that I am one with Thee, as a branch with its stock, as a building with its foundation.

May His comforts cheer me in my sorrows, His strength sustain me in my trials, His blessings revive me in my weariness, His presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness, His might establish me in peace and joy, His incitements make me ceaseless in prayer, His animation kindle in me undying devotion.

Send Him as the searcher of my heart, to show me more of my corruptions and helplessness that I may flee to Thee, cling to Thee, rest on Thee, as the beginning and end of my salvation.

May I never vex Him by my indifference and waywardness, grieve Him by my cold welcome, resist Him by my hard rebellion. Answer my prayers, O Lord, for Thy great name’s sake.

From Valley of Vision – a Collection of Puritan Prayers

O God of my delight,
Thy throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul. Here I obtain mercy in time of need, here see the smile of Thy reconciled face, here joy pleads the name of Jesus, here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit, anoint the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation, gather manna from Thy Word, am strengthened for each conflict, nerved for the upward race, empowered to conquer every foe; help me to come to Christ as the fountain head of descending blessings, as a wide open flood-gate of mercy.

I marvel at my insensate folly, that with such enriching favours within my reach I am slow to extend the hand to take them. Have mercy upon my deadness for Thy Name’s sake. Quicken me, stire me, fill me with holy zeal. Strengthen me that I may cling to Thee and not let Thee go. May Thy Spirit within me draw all blessings from Thy hand.

When I advance not, I backslide. Let me walk humbly because of good omitted and evil done. Impress on my mind the shortness of time, the work to be engaged in, the account to be rendered, the nearness of eternity, the fearful sin of despising Thy Spirit.

May I never forget that Thy eye always sees, Thy ear always hears, Thy recording hand always writes. May I never give Thee rest until Christ is the pulse of my heart; the spokeman of my lips, the lamp of my feet.

From Valley of Vision – a collection of Puritan Prayers

There is no doubt that one of the most misunderstood things in the Christian life is prayer. What is it? How is it done? Do we actually hear from God when we pray? Does prayer itself have power? Are demons afraid of prayer? The list goes on. Dan Phillips over at Team Pyro has thrown together a very straight forward article on prayer. It’s sure to make some angry and others to slap your forehead and say, “now I understand!”

So check it out and head back and let me know what you think of his view on prayer! And while you’re at it, take the poll question on prayer over to your right.

O LORD, length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in Thy presence, in Thy service, to Thy glory.  Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids in every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from Thee, but may rely on Thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, building up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth Thy praise; testify Thy love, advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with Thee, O Father, as my harbour, Thee O Son, at my helm, Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.  Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to Thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me, Thy comforts to cheer, Thy wisdom to teach, Thy right hand to guide, Thy counsel to instruct, Thy law to judge, Thy presence to stabilize.  May Thy fear be my awe, Thy triumphs my joy.

From Valley of Vision – A Collection of Puritan Prayers