O Lord,
I hang on you; I see, believe, live,
when your will, not mine, is done;
I can plead nothing in myself
in regard of any worthiness and grace,
in regard of your providence and promises,
but only your good pleasure.
If your mercy makes me poor and vile, blessed be you!
Prayers arising from my needs are preparations for future mercies;
Help me to honor you by believing before I feel,
for great is the sin if I make feeling a cause of faith.
Show me what sins hide you from me
and eclipse your love;
Help me to humble myself for past evils,
to be resolved to walk with more care,
For if do not walk in holiness before you,
how can I be assured of my salvation?
It is the meek and humble who are shown your covenant,
know your will, are pardoned and healed,
who by faith depend and rest upon grace,
who are sanctified and enlivened,
who evidence your love.
Help me to pray in faith and so find you will,
by leaning hard on your rich free mercy,
by believing you will give what you have promised;
Strengthen me to pray with the conviction
that whatever I receive is your gift,
so that I may pray until prayer be granted;
Teach me to believe that all degrees of mercy arise
from several degrees of prayer,
that when begins it is imperfect and must grow,
as dry ground opens wider and wider
until rain comes.
So shall I wait for your will, pray for it to be done,
and by your grace become fully obedient.
Amen.
ReplyDelete