Matthew Henry: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Who are we, Lord God, that you have brought us here, to present ourselves before you? Who are we, that we have through Christ access by one Spirit to the Father?

What are we, that you are mindful of us? Do not be angry if we take it upon ourselves to speak to the Lord of Glory. We know we are only dust and ashes.

We know we are not worthy to receive the least of your mercies, or all the truth you have showed your servants.

It is not proper to take the children’s bread and toss it to people such as we were. Even so, dogs may eat crumbs that fall from their master’s table. And you are rich in mercy to all who call upon you.

Whom have we in heaven but you? We desire no one besides you. No one compares to you.
When our flesh and our heart fail, be the strength of our heart and our portion forever. You are the portion of our inheritance in the other world, and of our cup in this world. Our heritage is good.

Our souls desire you in the night, and with our inner spirit we seek you early. As the deer pants for water, so our souls long for you, God. Our souls are thirsty for you, the living God.

You command your lovingkindness during the day, and your song will be with us in the night. And our prayer is that we may come hungering and thirsting to you for righteousness. You fill the hungry with good things, but you send the rich away empty.

I pray that we may thirst for you and long for you in this dry and thirsty land, that we may see your power and your glory—just as we have seen you in your sanctuary. Your lovingkindness is better than life. Our souls will be satisfied, and we will praise you with joyful lips.

We put our trust in you, God. Never let us be ashamed. Truly our souls wait on you, the source of our salvation. You alone are our rock and our salvation. We find in you our glory, our strength, and our refuge. In you, our expectation.

When refuge fails, and no one cares for our souls, we cry to you. You are our refuge, and our portion in the land of the living. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

We will trust in your mercy, O God, forever and ever. We will wait on you. We have hoped in your word; remember your word to your servants.

Amen.