Models for Prayer 1

Models for Prayer 1

Prayer is theology at its most relational.

Prayer is supposed to be a time of communion with God sustained by a sense of deepening commitment. It is that.

But it is also hard work.

Prayer is a work that is hard to begin and difficult to continue.

Most of us, most of the time, need help getting started in prayer.

So, all this week I plan to post models for prayer.

Think of these are kindling. Starter wood.

Use these when you have trouble getting started.

They have helped me many times.

This first one comes from my favorite book on prayer (outside the Bible).

The Valley of Vision, a collection of prayers edited by Arthur Bennett.

“Meeting God”

Great God,

in public and private, in sanctuary and home,

may my life be steeped in prayer,

filled with the spirit of grace and supplication,

each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood.

Help me, defend me, until from praying ground

I pass to the realm of unceasing praise.

Urged by my need, invited by Thy promises,

called by Thy Spirit,

I enter Thy presence, worshipping Thee with godly fear,

awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory,

but encouraged by Thy love.

I am all poverty as well as all guilt,

having nothing of my own with which to repay Thee,

but I bring Jesus to Thee in the arms of faith,

pleading His righteousness to offset my iniquities,

rejoicing that He will weigh down the scales for me,

and satisfy thy justice.

I bless Thee that great sin draws out great grace,

that, although the lest sin deserves infinite punishment

because done against an infinite God,

yet there is mercy for me, for where guilt is most terrible,

there Thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.

Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits,

by causing Thy goodness to pass before me,

by speaking peace to my contrite heart;

strengthen me to give Thee no rest

until Christ shall reign supreme within me

in every thought, word, and deed,

in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world,

works by love, fastens me to Thee, and ever clings to the cross.