A Minister's Confession

 O God,

I know that I often do Your work without
Your power, and sin by my dead, heartless, blind service,
my lack of inward light, love, delight,
my mind, heart, tongue moving without Your help.

I see my sinful heart in seeking the praise of others.
This is my vileness to seek my own glory. It is my
deceit to preach and pray in order to generate
admiration; whereas I should consider myself
more vile than any man in my own eyes.

Help me to rejoice in my infirmities and to
acknowledge my deficiencies before others.

Keep me from high thoughts of myself or my work,
for I am nothing but sin and weakness. In me no
good dwells, and my best works are tainted with
sin. Humble me to the dust before You. Root and
tear out the poisonous weed of pride, and show
me my utter nothingness. Keep me sensible of
my sinnership. Sink me deeper into penitence
and self-abhorrence.

Break the 'Dagon' of pride in pieces before
the ark of Your presence!

Demolish the 'Babel' of self-importance
and scatter it to the wind!

Level to the ground my 'Jericho walls'
of a haughty, rebel heart!

Then grace, free grace, will be my experience and
message. This is my ministry, my life, my prayer,
my end. Grant me grace that I shall not fail.

[A Puritan Prayer]

Hold Me and Never Let Me Go!

 O God of love,

Preserve

  my understanding from error,

  my affections from love of idols,

  my lips from speaking deceit,

  my conduct from stain of vice,

  my character from appearance of evil.

That I may be

  harmless,

  blameless,

  rebuke less,

  exemplary,

  useful,

  light-giving,

  prudent,

  zealous for Your glory and the good

    of my fellowmen.

Cast Your cords of love around my heart,

then hold me and never let me go!

[A Puritan Prayer]

ƸӜƷ•°*”˜˜”*°•.ƸӜƷ✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.ƸӜƷ✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.ƸӜƷ

I Am Astonished

1 John 4:19 ... We love him, because he first loved us.  ❤

O bottomless Fountain of all good,  I am astonished at the difference between my receiving and my deservings, between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness,  between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit.

Who made me to differ, but You? I could not have begun to love You, had You not first loved me.  O Lord, I am astonished that such a crown should fit the head of such a sinner!  Such high advancement be for an unfruitful person!  Such joys for so vile a rebel!

Let 'wrath deserved' be written on the door of hell,  but the 'free gift of grace' on the gate of heaven! Let Your love draw me nearer to Yourself. Wean   me from sin, mortify me to this world, and make me ready for my departure hence. Secure me by Your grace as I sail across this stormy sea.

 [A Puritan Prayer]

Wave Upon Wave of Grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 ... But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.❤

O God of grace, Teach me to know that grace precedes, accompanies, and follows my salvation; that it sustains the redeemed soul, that not one link of its chain can ever break!

From Calvary's cross, wave upon wave of grace,   reaches me,  deals with my sin,  washes me clean,  renews my heart,  strengthens my will,  draws out my affection,  kindles a flame in my soul,  rules throughout my inner man,  consecrates my every thought, word, work,  teaches me Your immeasurable love.

How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus!

Without Him I stand far off, a stranger, an outcast.  In Him I draw near and touch His kingly scepter!

Without Him I dare not lift up my guilty eyes. In Him I gaze upon my Father-God and friend!

Without Him I hide my lips in trembling shame. In Him I open my mouth in petition and praise!

Without Him all is wrath and consuming fire. In Him is all love, and the repose of my soul!

Without Him is gaping hell below me, and eternal anguish. In Him its gates are barred to me by His precious blood!

Without Him darkness spreads its horrors before me. In Him an eternity of glory is my boundless horizon!

Without Him all within me is terror and dismay. In Him every accusation is charmed into joy and peace!

Praise be to You for grace, and for the unspeakable gift of Jesus!

[A Puritan Prayer]