Friends, can we pray this prayer together with a sincere heart? I want to challenge you and myself to begin to pray this prayer earnestly and just wait and see what the Lord does in our lives. If you do this, please let me know the awesome and wonderful things the Lord begins to do within your body, mind, soul and spirit.
"Thou art good when Thou givest, when Thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me, Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world, and in love didst redeem my soul; Thou didst love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust. Thy goodness has been with me during another year leading me through a twisted wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway. Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead; I hoist sail and draw up anchor, with Thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless Thee that Thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead. If Thou hast appointed storms of tribulation, Thou wilt be with me in them; if I have to pass through tempest of persecution and desolation, I shall not drown; if I am to die, I shall see Thy face the sooner; if a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail not; if I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation; only glorify Thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for Thy use."
(from the Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, Arthur Bennett, ed)
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