Robert Hawker: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Precious Lord Jesus! You, and you alone, give life, purity, and sweetness to our poor persons and offerings. Everything in us is corrupt, and we decay. But in you, and by you, as the manna was preserved, we are preserved. We are made clean and holy in your holiness and purity.

You are still the bread of God, the living bread, which that manna represented. You still feed your church above, and lead them to fountains of living waters. And surely, Lord, you will no less feed your church below, which yet remains in this dry and barren wilderness, where there is no water.

I hear what the Spirit says to the churches, and I feel delight: “To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.”

Precious Jesus! May my soul always look to you as my faithful, everlasting, unchangeable high priest. “Send the rod of your strength out of Zion: rule you in the midst of your enemies!”

I am sure, Lord, that everything in me and from me will remain dry. So I look to you for life and grace to my poor soul, to bring forth fruit—by your grace and for your eternal glory.

Sovereign Lord! Almighty King! I gladly acknowledge you as my King and my God. I by the appointment of God, by your conquest of my heart, and by my voluntary surrender since you brought me under the power of your grace, am yours, and no longer my own.

Oh, for grace to acknowledge you, to obey you, to love you. And as the Father has set you upon your throne, may his grace also give you the throne of my heart! And while all your enemies must bow before you, may all your friends and followers rejoice in your service! Even so,

Amen.