As mentioned before, the line between a prayer, a hymn, and a poem is very blurred, and more often than not, a piece can fall in to all three categories. With that in mind, I wanted to share this prayer from Banner of Truth’s “The Valley of Vision”1. If you’re unaware what this is, it’s a collection of prayers from or inspired by the Puritan movement (since some prayers from Spurgeon are included, which stretches to around 1890). The Puritans have a particular flavour that is characteristic of that time period including a holy aspiration to grow in and attain Christlikeness, a rightful hate of their sinful flesh, a devotion to God, and an absolute need for God and his Spirit shown through continuous confession, repentance and prayer. This prayer is one of my favourites and hope it’s a good introduction for any readers who have never read anything by the Puritans.Enjoy!
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 engraven in 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 realise my indissoluble union with thee;
that I may know thou hast espoused me to thyself for ever,
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.
Hymn of the Day 