By Contributing Writer, Jeannette Paulson
In our day of self-esteem and blame shifting, we are not good at repentance, and it would be well for us to practice more. I cannot recommend better mentors in this regard than the glad Puritans. In Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers, they repent of their repentance and know their tears need to be washed.
This deep awareness of the guilt, evil, and danger of sin drives them to the friend of sinners, Jesus, to be ravished by His love. Here is one prayer, “Christian Love,” from the book in hopes that it strengthens our appetite for repentance and faith. The leather copy of this book makes a lovely gift.
O Lover of the loveless, it is thy will that I should love thee with heart, soul, mind, strength, and my neighbor as myself.
But I am not sufficient for these things.
There is by nature no pure love in my soul; every affection in me is turned from thee; I am bound, as slave to lust, I cannot love thee, lovely as thou art, until thou dost set me free.
By grace I am thy freeman and would serve thee, for I believe thou art my God in Jesus, and that through him I am redeemed, and my sins are forgiven.
With this freedom I would always obey thee, but I cannot walk in liberty, any more than I could first attain it, of myself.
May thy Spirit draw me nearer to thee and thy ways.
Thou art the end of all means, for if they lead me not to thee, I go away empty.
Order all my ways by thy holy Word and make thy commandments the joy of my heart, that by them I may have happy converse with thee.
May I grow in thy love and manifest it to mankind.
Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus; give me his benevolent temper, his beneficent actions, that I may shine before men to thy glory.
The more thou doest in love in me and by me, humble me the more; keep me meek, lowly, and always ready to give thee honor.
About Jeannette Paulson
Thank you for this post. I am increasingly becoming aware of my utter ability to love on my own and my absolute need of the Savior to work in and through me. It has drawn me more and more to prayer, to lay myself at His feet. This was a very helpful post.
Utter inability
God’s grace is evident in your words. Until we are convinced of our own bankruptcy we will not love the sufficiency of Christ as we ought.
I keep this wonderful treasure of a book on my nightstand. It is a convicting reminder of the grace and mercy our Lord shows us and how weak and needy we really are. Our Puritan forefathers were such spiritual giants – although they probably would not have thought that at all. Thanks for sharing.
Victoria