On Desires

O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER,
Teach me to pray.

I confess that in religious excercises
___the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
___that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue
______a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility,
___that I have often desired things which would have injured me,
___that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies,
___that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
___that I am unfit to choose for myself,

______for it is not in me to direct my steps.

Let thy Spirit help my infirmities,
___for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask the right things,
___then I shall know thou hearest me.

May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
___but always refer them to thy fatherly goodness,
___for thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul propers,
______or that I am rich unless rich towards thee,
______or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.

May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy blessing,
___rather than be successful in enterprise,
______or have more than my heart can wish,
___or be admired by my fellow-men,
______if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit,
______and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour, image, presence, service.

__

a leaf from

The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions