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.
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.
—Valley of Vision
I’ve heard many believers say they wish they had a deeper prayer life. I don’t know of a way to grow deeper in your prayer life than by practice; the more time we spend praying, the more natural and effectual prayer becomes for us. These Valley of Vision prayers are a treasure trove for those of us wishing for a deeper and more meaningful prayer life. The puritan authors of these prayers were prayer zealots; their words cut to the heart of the matter, inflective and instructive. I wholeheartedly encourage you to use these prayers as inspiration and a model for your own prayer endeavors. Start simple. Embrace one line, one phrase at a time. Listen with your heart for the Lord’s leading. Plead for His imparting the gifts He’s promised. I promise your prayer life will grow as you meet Him in your quiet space. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics