Greetings!
The Reverend Ms. Vicki L. Evans, pastor of Waldensian Presbyterian Church of Monett, Missouri, and friend of the Foundation, has been kind to share with us this prayer:
O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE, Thou art good when thou givest,
when thou takest away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when the 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 twisting 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 tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
I shall see thy face 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 in trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.
Arthur Bennett, editor, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, revised edition (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), pp. 204-205.
For additional reading on prayer, please see our Foundation Bibliographies, especially:
Option VI: Prayer |
Grace and Peace,