Devotionals: The Valley of Vision

HEAVENLY FATHER Thou hast revealed to me myself       as a mass of sin,   and thyself as the fullness of goodness,     with strength enough to succour me,     wisdom enough to guide me,     mercy enough to quicken me,     love enough to satisfy me. Thou hast shown me that because thou art mine     I can live by thy […]

O LORD, In prayer I launch far out into the eternal world,     and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs     over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel   disappointments, never appears so inconsiderate     as then. In prayer I see myself as nothing;   I find my heart going after […]

THOU GOD OF MY END, Thou hast given me a fixed disposition       to go forth and spend my life for thee; If it be thy will let me proceed in it;   if not, then revoke my intentions. All I want in life is such circumstances   as may best enable me to serve thee in the […]

GREAT GOD, In public and private, in sanctuary and home,     may my life be steeped in prayer,   filled with the spirit of grace and supplication,   each prayer perfumed with the incense     of atoning blood. Help me, defend me, until from praying ground I pass to the realm of unceasing praise. Urged by my need,   invited […]

THOU MAKER AND SUSTAINER OF ALL THINGS Day and night are thine,         heaven and earth declare thy glory;   but I, a creature of thy power and bounty,     have sinned against thee by resisting       the dictates of conscience,       the demands of thy law,       the calls of thy gospel;   yet I live under the dispensation of a […]

O LORD OF GRACE, The world is before me this day,         and I am weak and fearful,   but I look to thee for strength; If I venture forth alone I stumble and fall,   but on the Beloved’s arms I am firm     as the eternal hills; If left to the treachery of my heart     I shall […]

O CHRIST, All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in       my delight. Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice. For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter,   multiplied thy promises,   shown me my future happiness,   given me a living fountain. Thou art preparing joy for me and me for joy; I […]

LIFE-GIVING GOD, Quicken me to call upon thy name,         for my mind is ignorant,         my thoughts vagrant,         my affections earthly,         my heart unbelieving,     and only thy Spirit can help my infirmities. I approach thee as Father and Friend,   my portion for ever,   my exceeding joy,   my strength of heart. I believe in thee as the […]

O LOVER OF THE LOVELESS, It is thy will that I should love thee     with heart, soul, mind, strength,     and my neighbour 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 […]

O GOD OF THE OPEN EAR, Teach me to live by prayer       as well as by providence,   for myself, soul, body, children, family, church; Give me a heart frameable to thy will;   so might I live in prayer,   and honour thee,   being kept from evil, known and unknown. Help me to see the sin that […]

HEAVENLY FATHER, My faith is in thee,         My expectation is from thee,         My love goes out toward thee,   I believe thee,       accept thy Word,       acquiesce in thy will,       rely on thy promises,       trust thy providence. I bless thee that the court of conscience   proves me to be thine. I do not need signs and wonders […]

ELECTOR OF SAINTS, Blessed is the man whom thou choosest       and callest to thyself. With thee is mercy, redemption, assurance,     forgiveness; Thou hast lifted me, a prisoner, out of     the pit of sin   and pronounced my discharge,     not only in the courts of heaven,     but in the dock of conscience;   hast justified me by faith, […]

GRACIOUS LORD, Thy name is love,       in love receive my prayer. My sins are more than the wide sea’s sand,   but where sin abounds,   there is grace more abundant. Look to the cross of thy beloved Son,   and view the preciousness of his atoning blood; Listen to his never-failing intercession,   and whisper to my heart, […]

O MY LORD, Forgive me for serving thee in sinful ways —       by glorying in my own strength,       by forcing myself to minister through         necessity,     by accepting the applause of others,     by trusting in assumed grace       and spiritual affection,     by a faith that rests upon my hold on Christ,       not on him alone,     by having […]

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 desires,   and thou alone canst give me the thing desired. My soul longs for communion with thee,   for mortification of indwelling corruption,     especially spiritual […]