The Bible is full of poetry. Biblical poetry is often easy to distinguish in the “wisdom” books, but not as clear in some others; yet it is found throughout Scripture.
Below are two poems on the topic of prayer. The first is from nearly 200 years ago, and the second is from about 11 years ago. Note that the theme is the same. What we pray for, right, wrong, or indifferent, is what our soul really desires. I say right, wrong, or indifferent because many who pray fall into the latter two categories. They have this false notion that god (note the small “g”) is there to serve them and their desires. We need to start each private prayer session with words like those found here in this daily prayer guide:
Lord, please help me to surrender all my personal opinions,
preferences, and self-will to you. Teach me to die to the ways of this
world and the need for its approval, and to fear only You. Remove
any biases and self-centeredness from my heart and mind, so that I
may come before you with a pure and humble spirit in prayer. Thank
you for your guidance and mercy in transforming me to be more like
you.Lord, make me willing
To receive what you give;
To lack what you withhold;
To relinquish what you take;
To suffer what you inflict;
To be what you require.
and to go where you send me to go.
I can think of no better example of prayer than that of the Puritans. Their deep desire to honor God above all else drove them to write some of the most elegant yet simplest prayers (albeit) in antiquated language.
I have included some of my favorite ebooks, Puritan and more recent prayer resources, following the two poems. I hope they benefit your daily walk.
Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
the falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
when none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
that infant lips can try,
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
the Majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
returning from His ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice
and cry, “Behold, he prays!”
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
the Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
he enters heav’n with prayer.
Nor prayer is made on earth alone,
the Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus at the Father’s throne
for sinners intercedes.
The saints in prayer appear as one,
in word and deed and mind;
while with the Father and the Son
sweet fellowship they find.
Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
the Holy Spirit pleads,
and Jesus on the eternal throne,
for sinners intercedes.
O Thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
James Montgomery (1771-1854)
I believe in praying,
giving God all our care
I believe He listens . . .
to our every prayer.
I believe in God’s timing,
leaving it all in His hands
I believe our weaknesses
He graciously understands.
I believe God grants,
our soul’s desire
I believe He hears . . .
all that we require.
I believe in asking,
God for our every need
I believe He is delighted
when to His Word we heed.
I believe God answers,
the cries from the heart
I believe He hears . . .
the pleas for a new start.
I believe in praying,
no matter the time of day
I believe God listens . . .
no matter where we pray!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that
ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.”
King James Version
by Public Domain
Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka
~ to GOD be the GLORY~
EBOOKS
Gleaning from Puritan Prayers, Volume 1 – 4 (eBooks)
The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13
Directions for Daily Communion with God
Thirty-One Meditations on the Gospel
The Valley of Vision Archives – Banner of Truth USA
Puritan Authors
The Life of Faith in Prayer – James 1:6
A Discourse of Delight in Prayer
How the Spirit Enables Us to Pray
For What, And How We Are To Pray
19th Century Forward
R.C. Sproul’s Warning Concerning Prayer
Our Prayers Reveal Our Priorities
Does Belief in Divine Sovereignty Deter Prayer?
Discover more from Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach 