I am back after a brief hiatus due to trying to make an overseas move. We still have not moved but we are in the process of getting out of our house and making all the shipping arrangements–so forgive me for no posting in the past four weeks.
Today I want to simply offer up a Puritan prayer from the book Valley of Vision, which is a wonderful collection of Puritan prayers. I usually read one a day–and I find that the richness of the language and how these Puritan brothers viewed God, usually stirs my soul to a greater love for Christ. I also find that often there are leadership gems hidden in the thoughts and purposes of these prayers. Below is from pages 202-203 and simply entitled Voyage. Enjoy!
Voyage
My little bark sails on a restless sea,
Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;
Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;
Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;
Bring me to harbor with flying pennants,
hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.
I ask great things,
expect great things,
shall receive great things.
I venture on Thee wholly, fully,
my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.
The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,
but my helm is held steady,
thy Word secures sage passage,
the grace wafts me onward,
my haven is guaranteed.
This day will bring me nearer home,
Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,
my peace flowing as a running tide,
my righteousness as every chasing wave.
Help me to live circumspectly,
with skill to convert every care into prayer,
Halo my path with gentleness and love,
smooth every asperity of temper,
let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;
may I strive to bind up every wound,
and pour oil on all troubled waters.
May this world this day be happier and better because I live.
Let my mast before me be the Saviour’s cross,
and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.
Help me, protect me in the moving sea until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.
Gary Runn 