Worship
GLORIOUS GOD, It is the flame of my life to worship thee, the crown and glory of my soul to adore thee, heavenly pleasure to approach thee.
Give me power by thy Spirit to help me worship now, that I may forget the world, be brought into fullness of life, be refreshed, comforted, blessed.
Give me knowledge of thy goodness that I might not be over-awed by thy greatness; Give me Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God, that I might not be terrified, but be drawn near with filial love, with holy boldness; He is my Mediator, Brother, Interpreter, Branch, Daysman, Lamb; him I glorify, in him I am set on high.
Crowns to give I have none, but what thou hast given I return, content to feel that everything is mine when it is thine, and the more fully mine when I have yielded it to thee. Let me live wholly to my Savior, free from distractions, from carking care, from hindrances to the pursuit of the narrow way.
I am pardoned through the blood of Jesus—give me a new sense of it, continue to pardon me by it, may I come every day to the fountain, and every day be washed anew, that I may worship thee always in spirit and truth.
—Valley of Vision
Worshipping God is, in itself, a tremendous blessing to the one who worships. The Puritans understood this to be true. Look at each line of this Puritan prayer and note the renewal a worshipping soul experiences; fire, glory and pleasure; the very power to praise and worship; newness, refreshment, comfort and blessing; knowledge, boldness, confidence, love, wisdom, humility, contentedness, freedom, pardon, renewal, and redemption. What’s not to want? All of the things our souls crave and need await us as we fall down before our God in worship! Where do you find yourself this day? Which worry, obstacle, or responsibility cannot be addressed best beginning with worship and adoration of the Giver of all good gifts? Let’s bow down and worship the One who loves us so! And find healing balm for our weary souls. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics