5 leading worship 17/08/08 - resources for public prayer

4. Leading worship 17/08/08 - types of public prayer 3. Leading worship 17/08/08 - Planned prayer 2. Leading worship 17/08/08 - video intro 1. Leading worship - song list & planning

31/08/08

The Valley of Vision
In this blog I want to recommend a resource that I have found very helpful in developing my public prayer. It’s a collection of one page prayers by various Puritan authors such as Charles Spurgeon, Isaac Watts and John Bunyon. Before you glaze over at the thought on anything associated with the Puritans, let me encourage you to give this book a go. In it, you’ll find modelled the kind of relationship with God that exhibits a great depth of knowledge of the character of God that is deeply embedded in a whole-hearted relationship with God. You’ll find a searing honesty about the nature of the human heart and a resounding joy-filled gratitude for the provision of God for our deepest need. I think this book can not only improve your public praying, but also enrich your private devotions with God.

Although the language may be a little archaic in places, I have found the prayers quite easy to update to make them more accessible to modern ears. Everyone involved in the leading of public worship in Glenabbey would benefit from this book. In fact, there is a copy in the resource room, so feel free to check it out next time you’re in there.

Here’s a sample of a prayer.

Thou blessed, Spirit, Author of all grace and comfort,
Come, work repentance in my soul;
Represent my sin to me in its odious colours that I might hate it;
Melt my heart by the majesty of God;
Show me my ruined self and the help there is in him.

Teach me to behold my Creator,
• his ability to save,
• his arms outstretched,
• his heart big for me.

May I confide in his power and love,
And be through time and eternity
• a momument to the efficacy of his grace
• a trophy of his victory

Help me not only to receive him but
• to walk in him
• depend on him
• commune with him
• be conformed to him
• follow him
o imperfect, but still pressing on
o not complaining of labour, but valuing rest
o not murmuring under trails, but thankful for my state.

May I be saved by grace through faith,
• live by faith,
• feel the joy of faith,
• do the work of faith.

Next time, I’ll make a couple of other recommendations of some good resources for prayer.

Alistair Hamill