Valley of Vision: A Christian's Prayer

The Banner of Truth Trust | 1975 | Arthur Bennett

[Gamecock]

Blessed God,

Ten thousand snares are mine without

and within,

defend thou me;

When sloth and indolence seize me,

give me views of heaven;

When sinners entice me,

give me disrelish of their ways;

When sensual pleasures tempt me,

purify and refine me;

When I desire worldly possessions,

help me to be rich toward thee;

When the vanities of the world ensnare me,

let me not plunge into new guilt and ruin.

May I remember the dignity of my spiritual release,

never be too busy to attend to my soul,

never be so engrossed with time

that I neglect the things of eternity;

thus may I not only live, but grow towards thee.

Form my mind to right notions of religion,

that I may not judge of grace by wrong

conceptions,

nor measure my spiritual advances by the efforts

of my natural being.

May I seek after an increase of divine love to thee,

after unreserved resignation to thy will,

after extensive benevolence to my fellow

creatures,

after patience and fortitude of soul,

after a heavenly disposition

after a concern that I may please thee in public

and private.

Draw on my soul the lineaments of Christ,

in every trace and feature of which thou wilt

take delight, for I am

thy workmanship, created in Christ Jesus,

thy letter written with the Holy Spirit’s pen,

thy tilled soil ready for the sowing, then harvest.

[Gamecock]

This prayer is taken from a collection of Puritan works titled "The Valley of Vision." First published in 1975 by Arthur Bennett, the book has been used by many Christians for prayer, as a devotional, or 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.

Please, no flaming, cussin' or wagering.

[Gamecock]

VoV Ping

"Made In God's Own Image, Yes Sir!"
Calvin