I'm often reminded of my sins and how in my depravity I really have nothing offer my Creator. When struck by this reality, I have two choices - I can continue in mortification over my sin nature, or I can lift my eyes and hands to heaven and thank my God for His grace and His mercy and receive His strength to move ahead in a way that is pleasing to Him.
I believe there is a time for us to be in agony over our sin. It should mortify us. Today, I choose to move from the former to the latter and have "Christ 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."
I read this puritan prayer this morning, so I thought I'd share it with you today. The theology in this prayer stirred my soul. I hope you find it edifying as well.
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, worshiping 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 of grace, that although the least 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.
-A puritan prayer from the book, Valley of Vision
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