Sunday, April 05, 2009

Bringing My heart Back to Him

(I will be unplugging this week in observance of Holy Week. I look forward to seeing what everyone has been up to next week. This is my prayer for this week.)


Man a Nothing


O LORD,

I am a shell full of dust,

but animated with an invisible rational soul

and made anew by an unseen power of grace;

Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,

but one that has nothing and is nothing,

although chosen of thee from eternity,

given to Christ, and born again;

I am deeply convinced

of the evil and misery of a sinful state,

of the vanity of creatures,

but also of the sufficiency of Christ.


When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,

When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.

When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.

When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,

When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,

When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;

I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,

Instead of thee I look to a man's approbation,

and am by nature an idolator.


Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.


Convince me that I cannot be 

my own God, or make myself happy,

nor my own Christ to restore my joy,

nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, rule me.

Help me to see that grace does this by providential affliction,

for when my credit is good thou dost cast me lower,

when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away,

when pleasure is my all thou dost turn it into bitterness.


Take away my roving eye, curious ear, 

greedy appetite, lustful heart;

show me that none of these things

can heal a wounded conscience,

or support a tottering frame

or uphold a departing spirit.


Then take me to the cross and leave me there. 


~From The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am going to be getting ready for big Easter and birthday celebrations :-) Have a great week. I am sorry to hear about your friend. I will say some prayers for her family.

Tiffani said...

I will miss you but think it's a beautiful thing when we do ANYTHING we choose to get our hearts back to him.

I pray your time this week with the Lord will be extra sweet.

Talk to you soon!

Gretchen said...

Praying your time this Passion Week would be restorative and that He would fill you to overflowing with His Holy Spirit.

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I'll miss you.

That prayer is beautiful, Kellie. I may steal it for myself.

Enjoy your break...may it be all you intend.

Anonymous said...

I love where your priorities are. Have a great week and a Blessed Easter.

Carpool Queen said...

Thank you for setting the example to check the prideful spirit. That is a lovely prayer for meditation during the contemplative times of the week to come.

Blessings.

Farming On Faith said...

Have a blessed Holy Week! Thank you for sharing the wonderful prayer and your heart!
Blessings!

Woman Interrupted said...

Happy Easter week!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Beautiful prayer, Kellie. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I hope this is a special week for you and your family.

Lori said...

Good for you! Hope you and your family enjoyed this special week. :)

The Buntens said...

Bless you, Kellie! I hope this time is refreshing.

I am so sorry about your friend.

I will be praying.

Happy Easter!