Grace in Trials

A fitting prayer from the Valley of Vision. I pray that in the deepest of trials, trouble, and heartache, God would increase His graces that would empower us against our own flesh and the darts of Satan...

Grace in Trials

FATHER OF MERCIES, Hear me for Jesus’ sake. I am sinful even in my closest walk with thee; it is of thy mercy I died not long ago; Thy grace has given me in the cross by which thou hast reconciled thyself to me and me to thee, drawing me by thy great love, reckoning me as innocent in Christ though guilty in myself.

Giver of all graces, I look to thee for strength to maintain them in me, for it is hard to practise what I believe. Strengthen me against temptations. My heart is an unexhausted fountain of sin, a river of corruption since childhood days, flowing on in every pattern of behaviour; Thou hast disarmed me of the means in which I trusted, and I have no strength but in thee.

Thou alone canst hold back my evil ways, but without thy grace to sustain me I fall. Satan’s darts quickly inflame me, and the shield that should quench them easily drops from my hand: Empower me against his wiles and assaults. Keep me sensible of my weakness, and of my dependence upon thy strength. Let every trial teach me more of thy peace, more of thy love.

Thy Holy Spirit is given to increase thy graces, and I cannot preserve or improve them unless he works continually in me. May he confirm my trust in thy promised help, and let me walk humbly in dependence upon thee, for Jesus’ sake. (Valley of Vision, p. 310 of the little black leather edition)

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The Prayer of Love

Valley of Vision: The Prayer of Love

Gracious Lord,

Thy name is love,

         in love receive my prayer.

My sins are more than the wide sea’s sand,

   but where sin abounds,

   there is grace more abundant.

Look to the cross of thy beloved Son,

   and view the preciousness of his atoning blood;

Listen to his never-failing intercession,

   and whisper to my heart, ‘Thy sins are forgiven,

      be of good cheer, lie down in peace.’

Grace cataracts from heaven and flows for ever,

   and mercy never wearies in bestowing benefits.

Grant me more and more

   to prize the privilege of prayer,

   to come to thee as a sin-soiled sinner,

   to find pardon in thee,

   to converse with thee;

   to know thee in prayer as

         the path in which my feet tread,

         the latch upon the door of my lips,

         the light that shines through my eyes,

         the music of my ears,

         the marrow of my understanding,

         the strength of my will,

         the power of my affection,

         the sweetness of my memory.

May the matter of my prayer be always

   wise, humble, submissive,

   obedient, scriptural, Christ-like.

Give me unwavering faith

   that supplications are never in vain,

   that if I seem not to obtain my petitions

     I shall have larger, richer answers,

     surpassing all that I ask or think.

Unsought, thou hast given me

   the greatest gift, the person of thy Son,

   and in him thou wilt give me all I need.

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