NEW BEGINNINGS
INCOMPREHENSIBLE, GREAT, AND GLORIOUS GOD,
I adore thee and abase myself.
I approach thee mindful that I am
less than nothing,
a creature worse than nothing.
My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze.
My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.
Enable me to remember that blood
which cleansethall sin,
to believe in that grace which subdues
all iniquities,
to resign myself to that agency which can deliver me
from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Thou hast begun a good work in me
and canst alone continue and complete it.
Give me an increasing conviction of my tendency to err,
and of my exposure to son.
Help me feel more of the purifying,
softening influence of religion,
It’s compassion, love, pity, courtesy,
and employ me as thy instrument in blessing others.
Give me to distinguish
between the mere form of godliness and it’s power,
between life and a name to live,
between guile and truth,
between hypocrisy and a religion
that will bear thy eye.
If I am not right, set me right, keep me right;
And may I at last come to thy house in peace.
This is an excerpt from a book Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett. If you would like to buy this book please click here.