How Do You Pray?
Would that this is the prayer and heart cry of every woman that graces this post today! We encourage you ladies to read, reflect, ponder, and echo the words of this great Puritan prayer. Comments and encouragements are welcome below.
God of My End,
It is my greatest, noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee
and with my rational, immortal soul;
It is sweet and entertaining to look into my being when all my powers and passions
are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee,
When my soul longs and passionately breathes after conformity to Thee
and the full enjoyment of Thee;
No hours pass away with so much pleasure
as those spent in communion with Thee and with my heart.
O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life
is a spirit of holy watchfulness and godly jealousy over myself,
when my soul is afraid of nothing except grieving or offending Thee,
the blessed God, my Father and friend,
whom I then love and long to please,
rather than be happy in myself!
Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper,
worthy of the highest ambition,
and closest pursuit of intelligent creatures and holy Christians,
may my joy derive from glorifying and delighting Thee.
I long to fill all my time for Thee,
whether at home or in the way;
to place all my concerns in Thy hands;
to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.
Help me to live to Thee forever,
to make Thee my last and only end,
so that I may never more in one instance love my sinful self.
Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots;
Grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee,
that all else is trifling,
Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong, and happy.
Abide in me, gracious God.
Bennett, Arthur ed. The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Edinburgh, UK: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975. Pp 236-237.
Beautiful prayer. I woke up early this morning and came to my father in prayer in my room alone away from distractions; as i finished I picked up my cell and went thru my emails to find this beautiful prayer. How inspired I feel today. Thanks!