Ezekiel Hopkins: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Lord, here is a heart that I strive to make and keep void of offense. Please fill it with your promised grace and Spirit.

Of course my heart is not a mansion pure enough for the pure and holy God. Even so, will you accept it and dwell here? There are still many hidden corruptions, but search them out. And you, who have kept your servant from obvious sins, would you also cleanse me from secret faults?

Lord, I am blind and ignorant, and I cannot see through to the consequences. Things that I think are for my advantage may prove to be a snare and a curse.

But in your infinite wisdom you know everything, so I resign my choice to you. Choose for me. And however your providence will order my affairs, make me then as thankful for disappointment as I ought to be for success.

Lord, your word has taught me many mysteries which my weak and short-sighted reason cannot comprehend. But I desire to sit at your feet; your word will shape my outlook. And this I understand: you who are very truth can neither deceive nor be deceived. So I find infinitely more reason to believe anything you tell me than to disbelieve it—even if it seems impossible.

Since you have spoken it, I fully assent. And I deliver up all the cheeky impudence of my reason to be chastised and tutored by faith.

Amen.