I would be curious to read your comments about the written prayer we used in worship last weekend at CrossPoint. I borrowed the idea from a pastor I follow on Twitter. He believes using a formal, written prayer unified his people in worship. He also commented that it had become a great teaching tool. I …

I have referred to The Valley of Vision several times through the years. I have also quoted many of the written prayers from this great Puritan prayer book. Joe Thorn, lead pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, Illinois, has developed a schedule of The Valley of Vision for his personal use. Thorn writes, I …

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 …

My good friend, John Thweatt, from First Baptist Pell City reminded me of this great prayer from The Valley of Vision.  I encourage you to use this prayer in your daily time alone with the Lord. LIFE-GIVING GOD Quicken me to call upon thy name, for my mind is ignorant, my thoughts vagrant, my affections …

O Holy Father, thou hast freely given thy Son, O Divine Son, thou hast freely paid my debt, O Eternal Spirit, thou hast freely bid me come, O Triune God, thou dost freely grace me with salvation. Prayers and tears could not suffice to pardon my sins, nor anything less than atoning blood, but my …

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, …

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low …

I return periodically to “The Valley of Vision” (Puritan Prayer Book) for my morning devotions.  Recently, I used “Mortificiation” (page 144 – 145) for my confession: O Divine Lawgiver, I take shame in myself for open violations to the law, for my secret faults, my omissions of duty, my unprofitable attendance upon means of grace, …