The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
By Aurthur Bennett
I love this book. I had never heard of this book until I listened to a CD called Voyage by Christine Dente. She is a favorite of mine and her newest CD was about this book. I fell in love with the CD and immediately bought the book. It's an oldie but goodie and the prayers are so beautiful and thought provoking. I personally love to read a prayer out loud each day and I think that today's is the best one I've read until I read the next day. I love when that happens. If you don't own either book or CD, definitely check them out. You will not be disappointed. You will be encouraged and strengthened and renewed in your love and pursuit of the One who loves and pursues you. I wanted to share the prayer that I read today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
God Enjoyed
THOU INCOMPREHENSIBLE BUT PRAYER-HEARING GOD,
Known, but beyond knowledge,
revealed, but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to thee,
for thou hast never said, "See ye me in vain'.
To thee I come in my difficulties, necessities, distresses;
possess me with thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication,
with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth and fellowship,
so that in the ordinary concerns of life
my thoughts and desires may rise to thee,
and in habitual devotion I may find a resource that will
soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes,
and qualify me in always for dealings with my fellow men.
I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
of knowing thee, the author of all being,
of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness.
O God, attend me in every part of my arduous and trying pilgrimage;
I need the same counsel, defence, comfort I found at my beginning.
Let me religion be more obvious to my conscience,
more perceptible to those around.
While Jesus is representing me in heaven, may I reflect him on earth,
While he pleads my cause, may I show forth his praise.
Continue the gentleness of thy goodness towards me,
and whether I wake or sleep, let thy presence go with me,
thy blessing attend me.
Thou hast led me on and I have found thy promises true,
I have been sorrowful, but thou hast been my help,
fearful, but thou has delivered me,
despairing, but thou has lifted me up.
Thy vows are ever upon me,
And I praise thee, O God.
***
Beautiful, isn't it? I just love it. I wanted to share so much with you my thoughts about this particular prayer but I find myself at a loss for words, which if you know me well, doesn't happen all too often. I will say this, I am drawn to the line that says, "thou hast made me capable of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness."
Truly, it is. Enjoying God is the source of ALL happiness and He has made us capable of enjoying Him.
Have you enjoyed God today?
