I have two confessions to make.
The first is a little embarrassing, not only because it displays my aged taste in TV, but also because it exposes my fragile emotional state. Here it is: I shed a tear or two watching Antiques Roadshow the other day…
In fairness, it was the VE-day special. And through the items on display the show retold the stories of some of the brave men and women who lived and served through such seismic times in our history. One of the stories was about ‘Teddy’. A young man of 19 or 20 who was shot down and killed while serving as a gunner in the RAF. He left behind a young wife 7 months pregnant with their first child. Teddy’s unmet granddaughter appeared on the show with a letter written by her grandfather to her grandmother, to be given in the event of his death. He had kept his role as an airman a secret to save her from worry – she thought he was an engineer (which he had been), but he volunteered when men were needed. The letter was read out by his granddaughter. It was packed with emotion and heartfelt words. She cried as she read. The presenter cried as she listened. I cried as I watched (though trying not to let Claire notice).
That’s not a particularly common experience for me; such outward shows of emotion. But here’s what I find: words can be powerfully emotive. Especially when they’re true. And especially when they tap into the depths of our humanness.
Which leads me to my second confession (it’s good for the soul, you know). Very often when I come down in the early morning to approach the awesome privilege of praying to my Father in heaven and hearing his words as I read, I feel no such emotion. Often, I come down, feeling cold. Unmoved. Unprepared to pour out my heart’s desires and cares before the throne. In no fit state to worship.
Generally speaking, I need help. Many mornings, I need a burst of truth that awakens my mind and my soul. Something that stirs my affections and pushes me into a posture that is more fitting to commune with God Most High. I need some kindling to get the fire started.
For almost 6 years that help has come in the form of a little book of short prayers. Prayers that someone else has written, but prayers that tap into every part of my humanity and Biblically lead me to worship the God who is at work in me. The book’s called The Valley of Vision.
My copy is a bit bent and marked and loved. I read one of its entries almost every morning. What follows is what I read this morning. If you’re like me, may this prayer penetrate your hardened coldness and bring you to loving worship with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, as you ought. And if you’re wading through deep waters right now, and a tender heart is not something you have to strive for, I hope that this prayer and others like it will help you put into words what you’re already feeling, lifting you above your immediate circumstance, as you come to your Lord and your Saviour today.
Blessed Lord Jesus,
No human mind could conceive or invent the gospel.
Acting in eternal grace, thou art both its messenger and its message,
lived out on earth through infinite compassion,
applying thy life to insult, injury, death,
that I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.
Blessed be thou, O Father,
for contriving this way,
Eternal thanks to thee, O Lamb of God,
for opening this way,
Praise everlasting to thee, O Holy Spirit,
for applying this way to my heart.
Glorious trinity, impress the gospel on my soul,
until its virtue diffuses every faculty;
Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt.
Teach me to secure this mighty blessing;
Help me to give up every darling lust,
to submit heart and life to its command,
to have it in my will,
controlling my affections,
moulding my understanding;
to adhere strictly to the rules of true religion,
not departing from them in any instance,
nor for any advantage in order to escape evil, inconvenience or danger.
Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy;
Strip me of every pleasing pretence of righteousness by my own doings.
O gracious Redeemer,
I have neglected thee too long,
often crucified thee,
crucified thee afresh by my impenitence,
put thee to open shame.
I thank thee for the patience that has borne with me so long,
and for the grace that now makes me willing to be things.
O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds,
that nothing may ever draw me back from thee,
My Lord, my Saviour.