Puritan Prayers

Lately in my daily devotions I’ve been reading “The Valley of Vision,” a book of Puritan prayers given to me for Christmas by my daughter Laura, whose terrific blog is referenced in the list to the right. Edited by Arthur Bennett, former Canon of St. Albans Cathedral in England, the book was published in 1975 by Banner of Truth Trust. The edition I have is the seventh printing, which came out in 2007.

This beautiful compendium of written prayers comes from such Puritan greats as Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Isaac Watts and David Brainerd, to name a few. Unaccustomed as I am to reading prayers, I first thought that this book might seem a bit dry to me. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the language may seem a bit archaic to modern ears, I find myself moved almost daily to tears as I read and then personally pray these heartfelt words.

There is something about the studied and overtly Word-driven piety of these prayers (and there are over 200 of them in the book!) that both shows me how far I have to go in my walk with Christ and motivates me to keep growing. The Christ-centered focus and the intentional remembering of His finished work are both moving and inspiring. Consumed with the glory of the Father, Christ lived and offered for rebel humanity a perfect life and sacrificial death, and His atoning work is both pictured and praised in these prayers.

Here is just one example. I trust it will bless you.

My Father,

In a world of created changeable things,

Christ and His Word alone remain unshaken.

O to forsake all creatures,

to rest as a stone on Him the foundation,

to abide in Him, be borne up by Him!

For all my mercies come through Christ,

Who has designed, purchased, promised and effected them.

How sweet it is to be near Him, the Lamb,

filled with holy affections!

When I sin against Thee I cross Thy will, love, life,

and have no comforter, no creature, to go to.

My sin is not so much this or that particular evil,

but my continual separation, disunion, distance from Thee,

and having a loose spirit towards Thee.

But thou hast given me a present, Jesus Thy Son,

as Mediator between Thyself and my soul,

as Middle-man Who in a pit hold both him below and Him above;

for only He can span the chasm breached by sin,

and satisfy divine justice.

May I always lay hold upon this Mediator,

as a realized object of faith,

and alone worthy by His love to bridge the gulf.

Let me know that He is dear to me by His Word;

I am one with Him by the Word on His part,

and by faith on mine.

If I oppose the Word, I oppose my Lord

when He is most near.

If I receive the Word, I receive my Lord

wherein He is nigh.

O Thou Who hast the hearts of all men in Thine hand,

form my heart according to the Word,

according to the image of Thy Son.

So shall Christ the Word, and His Word,

be my strength and comfort.

Amen!