Saturday, March 8, 2008

longings after God...a puritan prayer

so there is this book that everyone needs to get.  It is called 'The Valley of Vision'.  It was given to me as a gift by a friend that has spurred me on spiritually.  It is a book of recorded puritan prayers.  It has humbled, challenged, and encouraged me as I pursue holiness in my walk with the Lord.  I will post one every week, hoping that they will bless you and encourage you in the faith.  This one is called Longings After God, since this is where Biblical Manhood and Womanhood starts.

My Dear Lord,
I can but tell thee that thou knowest I long for nothing but thyself,
nothing but holiness, nothing but union with thy will.
Thou hast given me these desire, and thou alone canst give me the thing desired.
My soul longs for communion with thee, for mortification of indwelling corruption, especially spiritual pride.
How precious it is to have a tender sense and clear apprehension of the mystery of godliness, of true holiness!
What a blessedness to be like thee as much as it is possible for a creature to be like its Creator!

Lord, give me more of thy likeness; Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; Engage me to live more for thee.  
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at east after sweet commiunings, teach me it is far too little I know and do.

Blessed Lord, let me climb up near to thee, and love, and long, and plead, and wrestle with thee, and pant for deliverance from the body of sin, for my heart is wandering and lifeless, and my soul morns to think it should ever lose sight of its Beloved.

Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee, always humble and resigned to thy will, more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering.

3 comments:

Liz said...

this is incredible! and this part is intense!

Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee, always humble and resigned to thy will, more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering.

this seems like such an awesome book!

Jessica D. said...

Hey Holly I checked out your blog must say I think you have great ideas and wisdom. Do you know if they would sell that book in the cbu bookstore?
Proverbs 3:15

Holly Stavness said...

Hey Jess...I don't think that they sell it at the CBU bookstore, but you can get it through Amazon!