O SUPREME AGENT OF MOVEMENT
May I always be subordinate to You,
be dependent upon You,
be found in the path where You walk
and where Your Spirit moves,
take heed of separation from You,
of becoming unaware of Your love.
You do not move men like stones,
but gifts them with life,
not to enable them to move without You,
but in submission to You, the first mover.
O LORD, I am astonished at the difference
between what I receive and what I deserve,
between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness,
between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit.
Who made me to differ, but You?
for I was no more ready to receive Christ than anyone else;
I could not have begun to love had You not first loved me,
or been willing unless You had first made me so.
O that such a crown should fit the head of such a sinner!
such high advancement for an unfruitful person!
such joys for so vile a rebel!
Infinite wisdom has cast the design of salvation
into the mold of purchase and freedom;
Let the wrath deserved be written on the door of hell,
But the free gift of grace be written on the gate of heaven.
I know that my sufferings are because of my own sinful choices,
but in heaven both will end;
Allow me to reach this haven and be done with willful sailing,
and may the winds of Your mercy blow me safely into harbor.
Let Your love draw me closer to You, LORD,
separate me from sin, make me displeased with this world,
and prepare me to leave this place because of this separation and displeasure.
Secure me by Your grace as I sail across this stormy sea.
All of these prayer prompts are inspired by a book of prayers written by the Puritans. I highly recommend purchasing the book. The prayers are beautifully written, while my prayer prompts are simplified to the point of losing their poetic refinement.
All prayers inspired by:
Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. East Peoria: Versa Press, Inc.,, 1975.