Joseph Alleine: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Spirit of the Most High, the Comforter and Sanctifier of your chosen, come now with all your glory, all your courtly attendants, your fruits and graces.

Let me be the place you live. I give you what is yours already. Here, with the poor widow, I cast my two pennies—my soul and my body—into your treasury. I fully resign them to you, to be sanctified by you, to be your servants.

They will be your patients; cure their disease. They will be your agents; govern every step. I have served the world too long, and I have listened to Satan too long. But now I renounce them all. Now I will be ruled by your dictates and directions, and guided by your counsel.

Blessed Trinity! Glorious unity! I deliver up myself to you. Receive me, write your name on me, and on everything I have. Set your mark on me, on every member of my body, and every part of my soul.

I have chosen your ways and your law. Now I will keep it in my view. By your grace, I resolve to walk in your way. I will be governed by your law. And though I cannot perfectly keep one of your commandments, I will not allow myself to disobey any.

I know my flesh will hang back. But in the power of your grace, I resolve to cleave to you and your holy ways—whatever the cost.

With you I am sure I will never lose. So I will be content with disapproval, difficulties, and hardships. I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you.

Lord Jesus, your yoke is easy and your cross is welcome, since it is the way to you. I lay aside all hopes of worldly happiness. I will be content to wait, and come to you. Let me be poor and low, little and despised here—so I may live and reign with you hereafter.

Lord, you have my heart in this agreement, never to be reversed. By grace I will stand in this resolution, where I will live and die. I have sworn that I will keep your righteous judgments. I have freely made my everlasting choice.

Lord Jesus, confirm the contract.

Amen.