Philip Doddridge: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Blessed Redeemer, I look forward to that nobler and more glorious hope, and when I am there I will look forward even more to the day of your final appearance. There I will long even more to see you vindicated, your triumph displayed, and the dust of your servants brought back to life. There I will see the final enemy, death itself, swallowed up in victory.

I will long for that greater honor you have reserved for me, and the complete happiness waiting for all your people.

All the millions of your saints, saved by your grace, will say, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!” Their words will mingle with the songs of paradise.

In the meantime, Master, accept the worship and praise my grateful heart offers you now. You have inspired me with glorious hope. You have given me joy, and raised my soul to this place.
Otherwise I might have been groveling in the lowest trifles of the here and now, looking with horror to the hour that now excites me so.

Be with me always, even to the end of this mortal life. And while I await your salvation, help me follow your ways. Strengthen me and keep my light shining for you.

Keep my ears tuned to the wonderful signal of your arrival, so my glowing soul springs to meet you with pleasure. Strengthen and prepare me in death for those visions of glory which this feeble body could never endure.

Amen.