Richard Alleine: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

Lord, I am not broken yet.

The rocks tear apart, the earth quakes, the heavens drop, the clouds weep, the sun will blush, the moon be ashamed, the foundations of the earth will tremble at the presence of the Lord.

But this heart neither breaks nor trembles. If only I had a broken heart! If I did, you would have your way in my heart. What would be impossible, if my heart were tender?

Where are you, fear? Come and plough up this rock. Where are you, love? Come and thaw this ice, come and warm this dead lump, come and enlarge this poverty-stricken spirit.

Then I will run in the way of your commandments.

I accept of all that is yours, both your yoke and your cross. I accept you, Lord—your love, and whatever you will.

Lord, if you love, let me love you. I will seek until I can see. Let me see, until I can love.

What do I have here, Lord? My all is with you: my help, my hope, my treasure. My life is hidden with Christ in God. Yet this is all nothing to me, while my heart is not with you.

Take it, Lord, take it up. Where my treasure is, there let my heart be also.

Amen.