John Howe: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Lord, I am under no bonds that ought to bind me, or that justly can, against your sovereign right.

Other bonds took a place in my heart and the affections of my soul—but they were bonds of sin, which I regret I ever made.

I thought I was my own, and I lived to myself. I only pleased and served myself, as if I were created for no other reason.

And while I pleased myself with imagined liberty and self-dominion, no idol was too despicable for me to worship. My soul bowed down to a clod of clay. My thoughts and desires, hopes and joys, all stooped to trifles: wealth, ease, pleasure, fame.

And while I thought I was free, I was a servant to corruption. What have I done, Lord? I have lived to myself, and not to you. I have been a stranger to you. I will through your grace be so no longer.

But now, Lord, through your mercy, I have learned to abandon myself. Your grace appeared and taught me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. You have overcome: enjoy your conquest.

I am sorry that you had to contend for and conquer your own. I repent.

So Lord, I here lay myself, and all that belongs to me, entirely at your feet. All things are of you, and I bring them to you in a willing, joyful offering. What I have in the world is more yours than mine.

I desire neither to use nor possess anything without it being for your sake and by your permission.

Flow in with all the mighty powers of your own love upon my soul. You who can raise up children from stones, and make them the true, genuine sons of Abraham—and there can be no such children, without love—dissolve this stone, this stone that is my breast.

Soften this stubborn heart, and turn it into love,

Amen.