A Prayer for Saturday

Another week is over. Tomorrow is Sunday, the Lord’s Day. I came across  a post at Challies.com, where blogger Tim Challies mentions that, in the religious tradition he grew up in, Saturday was considered a prelude, a day of preparation, for the worship activities on the Lord’s Day.

What a great tradition! To consider the day of corporate worship so highly that the previous day is reserved for preparing one’s spirit for it. I love that!

Tim reproduced the following prayer at his post here. It’s taken from The Valley of Vision, an old Puritan book of prayer.

There are some traditions that do not emphasize, or even ignore, the use of written prayers. However, as the Puritans say, “The soul learns to pray by praying”. Aside from praying the prayers recorded in the Bible (e.g, the Psalms, or the prayers of  Paul or David), prayer books, such as The Valley of Vision, can be a great help in this spiritual discipline.

I was so moved by the prayer, and I thought that many of you would be blessed by it, that I thought of posting the prayer here, too. It’s a wonderful and inspiring expression of total and humble dependence on God.

I am very grateful to Tim for introducing me and others to the prayer and the prayer book through his blog.

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Another week has gone and I have been preserved
in my going out,
in my coming in.

Thine has been the vigilance that has turned threatened evils aside;
thine the supplies that have nourished me;
Thine the comforts that have indulged me;
Thine the relations and friends that have delighted me;
Thine the means of grace which have edified me;
Thine the Book, which, amidst all my enjoyments, has told me that this is not my rest,
that in all successes one thing alone is needful, to love my Saviour.
Nothing can equal the number of they mercies but my imperfections and sins.
These, O God, I will neither conceal nor palliate, but confess with a broken heart.

In what condition would secret reviews of my life leave me
were it not for the assurance that with thee there is plenteous redemption,
that thou art a forgiving God,
that thou mayest be feared!

While I hope for pardon through the blood of the cross,
I pray to be clothed with humility,
to be quickened in thy way,
to be more devoted to thee,
to keep the end of my life in view,
to be cured of the folly of delay and indecision,
to know how frail I am,
to number my days and apply my heart unto wisdom.

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Amen!

May you have a restful and blessed weekend. God bless you!

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