Act of Approach
BENIGN LORD, I praise thee continually for permission to approach thy throne of grace, and to spread my wants and desires before thee.
I am not worthy of thy blessings and mercies for I am far gone from original righteousness; My depraved nature reveals itself in disobedience and rebellion; My early days discovered in me discontent, pride, envy, revenge.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor the multiplied transgressions of later years, my failure to improve time and talents, my abuse of mercies and means, my wasted sabbaths, my perverted seasons of grace, my long neglect of thy great salvation, my disregard of the Friend of sinners.
While I confess my guilt, help me to feel it deeply, with self-abhorrence and self-despair, yet to remember there is hope in thee, and to see the Lamb that takes away sin.
Through him may I return to thee, listen to thee, trust in thee, delight in thy law, obey thee, be upheld by thee.
Preserve my understanding from error, my affections from love of idols, my lips from speaking guile, my conduct from stain of vice, my character from appearance of evil, that I may be harmless, blameless, rebukeless, exemplary, useful, light-giving, prudent, zealous for thy glory and the good of my fellow-men.
—Valley of Vision
In the Book of Psalms, there is a section called the Psalms of Ascent. These are the hymns believers sung as they ascended to Jerusalem to worship. They were preparatory songs; setting hearts in order before worship. This Puritan prayer reads like an ascension prayer—a great prayer of confession as we approach the throne of Grace; bowing in humility before our God; owning our need for forgiveness and healing of sin. It continues to be a petition for great grace, the grace to go away from our prayer and worship experience changed for the better, toward holiness. This is the end for which we should come to pray and worship; to have an encounter with the Living and Loving God who cares for us. As you bow in prayer today, utilize the spirit of this prayer if not the very words themselves. Own who you are coming before God, that you might be renewed and refreshed. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics