There is a resource that I like to draw on from time to time in my devotional life. The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett (Banner of Truth, 1975) is a book of prayers from saints of centuries past. The Puritans, often misunderstood and as with anything, there are good and bad examples to be found among them. However, the Puritans were marked by their extreme piety—devotion to following and worshiping God—and community. They established and exercised many disciplines to maintain their walk with God, among them, the practice of writing and reciting prayers aloud—personally, with others, and in public worship gatherings. Arthur Bennet has drawn many of these existing writings and pulled them into The Valley of Vision. After last Sunday’s sermon about the people of Israel meeting God, I found a prayer by that name—Meeting God—and I wanted to share it here for your encouragement and reflection. I’m looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. Lord willing, I’ll see you then.
Grace & Peace,
John
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267
MEETING GOD
GREAT GOD,
In public and private, in sanctuary and home, may my life be steeped in prayer, filled with the spirit of grace and supplication, each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood.
Help me, defend me, until from praying ground I pass to the realm of unceasing praise.
Urged by my need, invited by thy promises, called by thy Spirit, I enter thy presence, worshipping thee with godly fear, awed by thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by thy love.
I am all poverty as well as all guilt, having nothing of my own with which to repay thee,
But I bring Jesus to thee in the arms of faith, pleading his righteousness to offset my iniquities, rejoicing that he will weigh down the scales for me, and satisfy thy justice.
I bless thee that great sin draws out great grace, that, although the least sin deserves infinite punishment because done against an infinite God, yet there is mercy for me, for where guilt is most terrible, there thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.
Bless me by revealing to me more of his saving merits, by causing thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart;
Strengthen me to give thee no rest until Christ shall reign supreme within me, in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to thee, and ever clings to the cross.