Lewis Bayly: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

There can be nothing better than to praise your name, O Lord, and to declare your lovingkindness in the morning, on your holy and blessed Sabbath day!

For it is your will and command that we set aside this day to serve and praise you. We remember with thanks the creation of the world by the power of your word, and the redemption of humanity by the death of your Son.

We declare your greatness and power. Yours is the glory and the victory, and we praise you. Everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, and you excel as Lord of all. Riches and honor come from you. You reign over all. You give grace to all. Power and strength are in your hands.

And as by your mercy you have brought me to the start of this blessed day, so I ask that you make it a day of reconciliation between my sinful soul and your divine majesty. Give me grace to make it a day of repentance before you. In your goodness, seal it to be a day of pardon to me.

Help me remember that the keeping holy of this day is a commandment which your own finger has written, that on this day I might meditate on the glorious works of creation and redemption, and learn how to know and keep the rest of your holy commandments.

And when I meet with other believers to offer you our sacrifice of praise and prayer, to hear what your Spirit will speak to us by the preaching of your word, do not let my sins stand as a cloud to stop my prayers from ascending to you, or to keep back your grace from descending by your word into my heart.

May my chief delight be to dedicate myself to your glory and honor, not my own way or my own will. When I cease from my works of sin, as well as the works of my daily calling, may I, through your blessing, feel in my heart the beginning of that eternal Sabbath, which I will celebrate with saints and angels in unspeakable joy and glory, to your praise and worship, in your heavenly kingdom forevermore.

Amen.