The Valley of Vision - The Throne

It was my birthday recently and a big birthday at that. I received many wonderful presents from family and friends one of which was an inspiring book of Puritan prayers edited by Arthur Bennett. I thought I might share one or two of them with you. This one is entitled, "The Throne",

Thy Throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul.
Here I obtain mercy in time of need,

here see the smile of thy reconciled face,

here joy pleads the name of Jesus,
here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit,

anoint the shield of faith,
put on the helmet of salvation,
gather manna from thy Word,
am strengthend for each conflict,
nerved for the upward race,
empowered to conquer every foe;;

Help me to come to Christ

as the fountainhead of descending blessings,
as the wide open flood-gate of mercy.

I marvel at my insensate folly, that

with such enriching favours within my reach
I am slow to extend the hand to take them

Have mercy upon my deadness for thy Name's sake.
Quicken me, stir me, fill me with holy zeal.
Strengthen me that I may cling to thee
and not let thee go.
May they Spirit within me draw all blessings
from thy hand.
When I advance not, I backslide.
Let me walk humbly because of good omitted
and evil done.
Impress on my mind the shortness of time,

the work to be engaged in,
the account to be rendered,
the nearness of eternity,
the fearful sin of despising thy Spirit.

May I never forget that

thy eye always sees,
thy ear always hears,
thy recording hand always writes.

May I never give thee rest until Christ is

the pulse of my heart
the spokesman of my lips,
the lamp of my feet.