Philip Doddridge: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Blessed God! In the midst of ten thousand snares and dangers, let me look to you with the humble prayer that you would deliver me from those who rise up against me and that your eyes are on me for good.

When sinners entice me, may I not consent. May my conversation with you give me a distaste for the conversations of those who are strangers to you—those who want to separate my soul from you.

May I honor those who fear the Lord. And by spending time with wise and holy people, may I advance daily in wisdom and holiness.

Bring me to life, O Lord, so that by me you may also enliven others!

Make me the happy instrument to kindle and animate the flame of divine love in others. May the flame catch and grow from heart to heart!

Guard me, Lord, from a love of sensual, earthly pleasure. May I remember that to set my mind on the flesh is death.

Purify and refine my soul by your Holy Spirit. Help me to reject unlawful pleasures more than others pursue them, but to carefully and moderately use the ones you allow.

Help me to know my God-given place, and to keep at the work you have given me. But deliver me from the burdensome cares of this world, which would so absorb my time and thoughts that “the one thing needful” would be forgotten.

May I never be too busy for those great things which lie between you and my soul.

May I never be so engrossed with the concerns of time to neglect the interests of eternity!

May I pass through earth with my heart and hopes set upon heaven, and feel the attraction stronger and stronger as I approach nearer and nearer to that center we seek—until the happy moment comes when every earthly object disappears from view, and the shining glories of the heavenly world fill my improved and strengthened sight.

Amen.