Previous generations prayed better than ours.
They had a higher reverence for God, for Christ and the Bible than ours. They had better habits of personal devotion and were far more studious in their approach to the spiritual topics. And maybe that is why this prayer spoke so powerfully to my heart. May God use it in your life too, to express your heart to know and do the will of the Living God.
Approaching God in Humility
“I praise Thee continually for permission
… to approach they 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 and 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.”
The Valley of Vision:
Puritan Prayers and Devotions, p. 262-263
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