Philip Doddridge: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

May God’s grace visit all who suffer loss, and may your compassionate eye regard them where they live.

May your providence cement, strengthen, and adorn them. For unless the Lord builds the city, they labor in vain who build it.

May the candle of the Lord shine on them, and your Spirit enlighten and renew their souls. May peace and prosperity, friendship and faith always flourish in this neighborhood and city.

Fill my neighbors’ troubles with compassion, Lord, so they may exchange joy for mourning, and beauty for ashes. So that those who lament may rejoice with you, and that at length you may share with them the security and joy of the city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, where no flames will be felt except those of love.

In the meantime, may our eyes be lifted up to heaven, in the humble hope and fervent prayer for those around us, that true Christian faith would spread throughout the entire world. And may that faith prevail in our own hearts, that we may faithfully practice and grow in you.

So will we understand your lovingkindness, Lord, as we live our daily lives. And though there may be mysteries of providence we cannot explain, we will believe that your paths are mercy and truth, and find the truest and securest peace in our passage to everlasting joy.

Amen.