The Valley of Vision is a work of Puritan prayers and devotionals collected by Arthur Bennett that was originally published in 1977 (it was updated in 2016). I have integrated it into my devotional time reading several aloud along with my daily scripture reading, reading several Psalms aloud, and then a time of personal prayer.
These prayers are theologically rich and read like poetry, and as I read them I make them a prayer of my own as I confess to God my utter dependence upon Him.
The following prayer is entitled “The Gospel Way,” It offers a guide for us as we praise God for His salvation and pray that the Gospel will permeate every aspect of our lives.
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 thine.
O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds,
that nothing may ever draw me back from thee, my Lord, my Saviour.
