A Corporate Prayer: Shortcomings

O Living God,

We bless you

That we see the worst of our hearts as well as

the best of it,

That we can sorrow for those sins that carry us

from you,

That it is your deep and dear mercy to threaten

Punishment so that we may return, pray, live.

Our sin is to look on our faults and be discouraged,

Or to look on our good and be puffed up.

We fall short of your glory every day by spending

Hours unprofitably,

By thinking that the things we do are good,

When they are not done to your end,

Nor spring from the rules of your Word.

Our sin is to fear what never will be;

We forget to submit to your will, and fail to be

Quiet there.

But Scripture teaches us that your active will

reveals a steadfast purpose on our behalf,

And this quietens our soul,

And makes us love you.

Keep us always in the understanding

That saints mourn more for sin than other men,

For when they see how great is your wrath

Against sin,

And how Christ’s death alone pacifies that wrath,

That makes them mourn the more.

Help us to see that although we are in the wilderness

It is not all briars and barrenness.

We have bread from heaven, streams from the rock,

Light by day, fire by night,

Your dwelling place and your mercy seat.

We are sometimes discouraged by the way,

But though winding and trying it is safe

And short;

Death dismays us, but our great high priest

stands in its water,

And will open us a passage,

And beyond is a better country.

While we live let our life be exemplary,

When we die may our end be peace.

Taken from The Valley of Vision