Monday, October 28, 2013

Resting on God - Valley of Vision Prayers

O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. 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.

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Mystery of Marriage

http://dsr.gd/12t0CR0

Self-Knowledge - Valley of Vision Prayers

Searcher of hearts, It is a good day to me when thou givest me a glimpse of myself;                 Sin is my greatest evil, but thou art my greatest good;                                                               I have cause to loathe myself, and not to seek self-honour,                                                    for no one desires to commend his own dunghill.                                                                 My country, family, church fare worse because of my sins,                                                      for sinners bring judgment in thinking sins are small, or that God is not angry with them.         Let me not take other good men as my example, and think I am good because I am like them, For all good men are not so good as thou desirest, are not always consistent,                         do not always follow holiness, do not feel eternal good in sore affliction.                              Show me how to know when a thing is evil which I think is right and good,                            how to know when what is lawful comes from an evil principle,                                              such as desire for reputation or wealth by usury.                                                                  Give me grace to recall my needs, my lack of knowing thy will in Scripture,                                of wisdom to guide others, of daily repentance, want of which keeps thee at bay,                      of the spirit of prayer, having words without love, of zeal for thy glory,                                    seeking my own ends, of joy in thee and thy will, of love to others.                                     And let me not lay my pipe too short of the fountain, never touching the eternal spring,              never drawing down water from above.