The Valley Of Vision

Recently, my girlfriend gifted me a book from our church library, The Valley Of Vision, subtitled "A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions". I don't know if I have ever received a more precious gift.

My pastor usually reads one of the prayers found in this book as an opening prayer to the service on Sunday. I love this liturgy. It's inspiring, encouraging, honest, and useful in praying. Often I find myself opening up to any page and reading one of these prayers out loud before I fall asleep. I wanted to share the opening prayer in the book, as it is so rich and poetic and full of theology and speaks to the complexity of doctrine, and the simplicity of trusting the Lord, all at the same time. May it bless you as it blesses me.

The Valley Of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,

            where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

            hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

            that the way down is the way up,

            that to be low is to be high,

            that the broken heart is the healed heart,

            that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

            that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

            that to have nothing is to possess all,

            that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

            that to give is to receive,

            that the valley is the place of vision

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,

            and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

            thy life in my death,

            thy joy in my sorrow,

            thy grace in my sin,

            thy riches in my poverty

            thy glory in my valley.

Amen.

Nick