The Valley of Vision: Redemption and Reconciliation

The Valley of Vision | Arthur Bennett

[Gamecock]

Wednesday, 22, December 2004

Blessed Lord Jesus,

No human mind could conceive or invent

the gospel.

Acting in eternal grace, thou art both

its messenger and its message,

lived out on earth through infinite compassion,

applying thy life to insult, injury, death,

that I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.

Blessed be thou, O Father, for contriving this way,

Eternal thanks to thee, O Lamb of God,

for opening this way,

Praise everlasting to thee, O Holy Spirit,

for applying this way to my heart.

Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul,

until its virtue diffuses every faculty;

Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt.

Teach me to secure this mighty blessing;

Help me to give up every darling lust,

to submit heart and life to its command,

to have it in my will,

controlling my affections,

moulding my understanding;

to adhere strictly to the rules of true religion,

not departing from them in any instance,

nor for any advantage in order to escape evil,

inconvenience or danger.

Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy;

Strip me of every pleasing pretence of righteousness

by my own doings.

O gracious Redeemer,

I have neglected thee too long,

often crucified thee,

crucified thee afresh by my impenitence,

put thee to open shame.

I thank thee for the patience that has borne with me

so long,

and for the grace that now makes me willing to be

thine.

O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds,

that nothing may ever draw me back from thee,

my Lord, my Saviour.

[Gamecock]

This prayer was written by the Puritans. In 1975 Arthur Bennett published a collection of similar prayers which have since been used by many Christians for prayer, as devotional, and just plain reflection.

I plan to post one each day and hope that each of you will benefit from a brief glimpse into the mind of the Puritans.

If you would like on or off of this ping list please let me know.

[Gamecock]

Valley of Vision Ping

Please: No arguments, flaming or wagering.

[Corin Stormhands]

It's a beautiful prayer. Thanks for sharing.

[Gamecock]

My Pleasure,

I bought the book a few weeks ago and it is awesome.

[Frumanchu]

Excellent prayer, brother!

"Our first joy in salvation was like a tuning of our harps for everlasting song!" - C.H.Spurgeon

[opus86]

nor for any advantage in order to escape evil, inconvenience or danger.

You don't hear too many Christians (myself included) make a request like that anymore.

[RnMomof7]

Amen !

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I plan to post one each day and hope that each of you will benefit from a brief glimpse into the mind of the Puritans.

Wonderful idea, Gamecock. Thank you for this beautiful prayer.

"...impress the gospel on my soul."

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"Our first joy in salvation was like a tuning of our harps for everlasting song!" - C.H.Spurgeon

Their prose is poetry.

[sr4402]

So many gems like these have been suppressed by the world. Thanks for bringing it out.