Foundation for Reformed Theology


Greetings!

I am writing to share with you this morning the following Puritan prayer.
"The Name of Jesus"

ALL-SEARCHING GOD,

Thou readest the heart,
    viewest principles and motives of actions,
    seest more defilement in my duties
        than I ever saw in any of my sins.
The heavens are not clean in thy sight,
    and thou chargest the angels with folly;
I am ready to flee from myself because of
        my abominations;
Yet thou dost not abhor me
    but hast devised means for my return to thee,
    and that, by thy Son who died to give me life.

Thine honour is secured and displayed even in
        my escape from thy threats,
    and that, by means of Jesus
        in whom mercy and truth meet together,
        and righteousness and peace kiss each other.
In him the enslaved find redemption,
    the guilty pardon,
    the unholy renovation;
In him are everlasting strength for the weak,
    unsearchable riches for the needy,
    treasures of wisdom and knowledge for
        the ignorant,
    fullness for the empty.
At thy gracious call I hear, take, come, apply,
        receive his grace,
    not only submit to his mercy but acquiesce in it,
    not only glory in the cross but in him crucified
        and slain,
    not only joy in forgiveness but in the one
        through whom atonement comes.

Thy blessings are as secure as they are glorious;
Thou has provided for my safety and my prosperity,
    and has promised that I shall stand firm and
        grow stronger.
O Lord God, without the pardon of my sin I cannot
        rest satisfied,
    without the renovation of my nature by grace
        I can never rest easy,
    without the hopes of heaven I can never be
        at peace.
All this I have in thy Son Jesus; blessed be
        his name.

Arthur Bennett, editor, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, revised edition (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002), pp. 38-39.
Dr. James C. Goodloe IV Grace and Peace,

Dr. James C. Goodloe IV,
Executive Director
Foundation for Reformed Theology
4103 Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23230-3818
(804) 678-8352, [email protected]
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