I am always thankful for the Puritans. I love the depth of their thinking, their honesty and their emotion. I am currently revisiting "The Vally of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" and the prayers are like a breath of fresh air into my soul.
This morning I read a prayer simply entitled "Morning", this is the second half of the prayer:
O ever watchful Shepherd,
lead, guide, tend me this day;
Without they restraining rod I err and stray;
Hedge up my path lest I wander into unwholesome pleasure,
and drink its poisonous streams;
Direct my feet that I be not entangled in Satan's secret snares,
nor fall into his hidden traps.
Defend me from assailing foes,
from evil circumstances,
from myself.
My adversaries are part and parcel of my nature;
They cling to me as my very skin;
I cannot escape their contact.
In my rising and sitting down they barnacle me;
They entice with constant baits;
My enemy is within the citadel;
Come with almighty power and cast him out,
pierce him to death,
and abolish in me every particle of carnal life this day.
I don't think there is a single Christian who is unable to identify with this prayer. Sin is always with us, but we have an ever watchful Shepherd! Amen.
