Valley of Vision: Self-Noughting

The Banner of Truth Trust ^ | 1975 | Arthur Bennett

[Gamecock]

O Lord,

Help me to approach thee

with becoming conception of thy nature,

relations and designs.

Thou inhabitest eternity, and

my life is nothing before thee;

Thou dwellest in the highest heaven and

this cannot contain thee;

I live in a house of clay.

Thy power is almighty;

I am crushed before the moth.

Thy understanding is infinite;

I know nothing as I ought to know.

Thou canst not behold evil;

I am vile.

In my ignorance, weakness, fears, depressions,

may thy Spirit help my infirmities

with supplies of wisdom, strength and comfort.

Let me faithfully study my character,

be willing to bring it to light,

observe myself in my trials,

judge the reality and degree of my grace,

consider how I have been ensnared or overcome.

Grant that I may never trust my heart,

depend upon any past experiences,

magnify any present resolutions,

but be strong in the grace of Jesus:

that I may know how to obtain relief

from a guilty conscience

without feeling reconciled to my imperfections.

Sustain me under my trials

and improve them to me;

give me grace to rest in thee,

and assure me of deliverance.

May I always combine thy majesty

with thy mercy,

and connect thy goodness

with thy greatness.

Then shall my heart always rejoice

in praises to thee.

[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

[Dahlseide]

Got it.

[oldcodger]

Thanks, Gamecock!

[Cedar]

These words especially stand out...

"that I may know how to obtain relief

from a guilty conscience

without feeling reconciled to my imperfections."



And also these...


"May I always combine thy majesty

with thy mercy,

and connect thy goodness

with thy greatness.

Then shall my heart always rejoice

in praises to thee."