A Borrowed Prayer

One of the tools I like to use in private devotions is a collection of prayers called The Valley of Vision. Obviously our hearts need to come before God on our own, in sincerity, and not just wrote repetition of someone else’s thoughts and prayers. But I have often been helped, encouraged, and led into greater prayer through the hearts of others in this way.

This morning I read a prayer on “Weaknesses.” And since weaknesses are what I often seem to have the most of, this seemed a good place to start. This prayer was a great blessing to me, and I hope it will be to you as well.

O SPIRIT OF GOD,
Help my infirmities;
When I am pressed down with a load of sorrow,
perplexed and knowing not what to do, slandered and persecuted,
made to feel the weight of the cross, help me, I pray thee.
If thou seest in me
any wrong thing encouraged,
any evil desire cherished,
any delight that is not thy delight,
any habit that grieves thee,
any nest of sin in my heart,
then grant me the kiss of thy forgiveness, and teach my feet to walk the way of thy commandments.

Deliver me from carking care,
and make me a happy, holy person;
Help me to walk the separated life with firm and brave step,
and to wrestle successfully against weakness;
Teach me to laud, adore, and magnify thee,
with the music of heaven,
And make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee.
I do not crouch at thy feet as a slave before a tyrant, but exult before thee as a son with a father.
Give me power to live as thy child in all my actions, and to exercise sonship by conquering self
Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity;
Sober me when I am glad with a joy that comes not from thee.
Lead me safely on to the eternal kingdom, not asking whether the road be rough or smooth.
I request only to see the face of him I love, to be content with bread to eat, with raiment to put on,
if I can be brought to thy house in peace.

From The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions