ETERNAL FATHER,
Yours is greatness that surpasses all, unspeakable goodness, grace that is inconceivably abundant;
I can as easily count the sands of the ocean’s shore as number Your favors towards me;
I know but a fraction, but even that fraction exceeds all praise I could offer.
I thank You for personal mercies,
for my health, the preservation of my body,
for the comforts of house and home, the provision of food and clothing,
for mental clarity, my family, and their love, help, and support,
the joy of harmony and peace in my home,
for every life you have brought into my family
for my country and church, and those who lead them, for the Bible and faith.
But, O, how I grieve over my sin, ingratitude, wickedness
the days that my selfishness adds to the weight of my guilt,
the situations that suffer my hateful words;
All things in heaven, earth, and the universe condemn me-
the sun that sees my sinful choices,
the darkness which is light to You,
the cruel accuser who justly complains against me,
the heavenly angels who I have pushed to leave me to my own devices,
Your omniscience which knows my hidden sins,
Your perfect law, Your Holy Word,
my sin-corrupted conscience, my public and private life,
my neighbors, myself-all say dark things against me.
I don’t deny them, offer no excuse, but I confess, ‘Father, I have sinned’;
Yet still I live, and run repenting to Your open arms;
You will not cast me off, for Jesus makes a way to You,
You will not condemn me, for He died in my place,
You will not count my mountain of sin, for He paid it all,
and His beauty covers all my repulsiveness.
O my God, I turn away from my sin by clinging to His cross,
hiding in His wounds, and finding shelter in His pierced body.
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.