I was getting ready for bed tonight and decided to look up some Puritan Prayers. Sometimes I find it helpful to look up prayers that are already written out in addition to my own prayers. It is amazing how spot-on these prayers can be, how helpful and uplifting they are. Here is the Valley of Vision.
"Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley."
It's so amazing how God uses the weakness in his people to bring about his will and his plan. I think I go around saying to myself, 'you need to be better at this, you need to fix this about yourself, you need to be stronger, you need to be better, you need to be perfect.' What I forget is that I don't have the ability on my own to be stronger, to be better, and certainly not to be perfect. I can't even imagine perfection, but God can. God is perfection and his perfect plan will be accomplished no matter what I do. I don't have to be perfect (I can't be perfect) because I have a perfect God. And this perfect God decided that the likes of me was worth saving? Was worth giving his only son up to die? I did nothing, absolutely nothing worthy of God's love. But God doesn't care.
I can just imagine when I stress out about my life ahead of me and get so worried about not listening for God, misinterpreting his plans, that God just laughs softly and puts me on the right track. I'm sure he's saying 'Oh, Lindsey, dearest. Don't worry, I know exactly where you need to be and what you need to be doing. Here's a nudge in the right direction, just stop worrying. I've got a much better plan than you could ever imagine. You think I've blessed you beyond belief? Well, here's another blessing. Oh Lindsey, why do you keep asking why I give you these gifts. Don't you know it's because I delight in giving you more, I delight in your joy. I cry with you, I laugh with you. I made you in my image, don't you think that you are precious to me?'
Lord, grant that I will never cease to be amazed by your goodness, your love, your sense of humor. When I am in the depths of despair, let me never forget that you are suffering with me. You never promised that things would be easy, that I would be happy all the time. You simply promised that you would be on my side, feeling my feelings. You would be there to pick me up again, bring me out of the fire, stronger and better than I was before.
Help me to see that the Valley is a place of vision. Even in the darkest of times when I am at my weakest, help me to see you grace and goodness. Grant that I never turn my back on you, that every experience I go through would strengthen my faith. I can't wait to see what you have in store for me. But right now I will continue to be overcome by your goodness and love.
"O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of fulfillment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
"O God, may Thy Spirit speak in me that I may speak to Thee. Lord Jesus, great high priest, Thou hast opened a new and living way by which a fallen creature can approach Thee with acceptance."
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