The Prayer of Love

Gracious Lord,

Your name is love,
   and so, in love receive my prayer.
My sins are more than the wide sea's sand,
   but where sin abounds,
   there is grace more abundant.
May you look to the cross of your beloved Son,
   and view the preciousness of his atoning blood;
Listen to his never-failing intercession,
   and whisper to my heart, "Your sins are forgiven,
      be of good cheer, lie down in peace."
Grace surges like rapids from heaven and flows forever,
   and mercy never wearies in bestowing benefits.
Grant me more and more
   to prize the privilege of prayer,
   to come to you as a sin-soiled sinner,
   to find pardon in you,
   to talk with you;
   to know you in prayer as
      the path on which my fead tread,
      the latch upon the door of my lips,
      the light that shines through my eyes,
      the music of my ears,
      the marrow of my understanding,
      the strength of my will,
      the power of my love,
      the sweetness of my memory.
May the matter of my prayer be always
   wise, humble, submissive, obedient, scriptural, Christ-like
Give me unwavering faith
   that prayer requests are never in vain,
   that if I seem not to obtain my petitions
      I will have larger, richer answers,
      surpassing all that I ask or think.
Unsought, you have given me
   the greatest gift, the person of your Son,
   and in him you will give me all I need.