A Prayer for "The Family"

The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions by anonymous authors. I use this resource to "beef up" my own prayer life with greater biblical substance. You should never read these while in a rush, for at least two reasons: (1) the language is a bit antiquated, which requires the reader to slow down a bit to grasp what's being said; (2) virtually every line is so rich with scriptural truth and theology, that to read it superficially or casually would seem to be inappropriate or irreverent.

This morning I read slowly, deliberately, and meditatively on the following prayer entitled "The Family." I found it to be wonderfully convicting, comforting, and challenging. It resonated with the desires of my heart to seek out God's best for those whom I love. I share it with you in the hopes that it will stir your heart as well.

O sovereign Lord,

Thou art the Creator-Father of all men, for thou has made and dost support them;

Thou are the special Father of those who know, love, and honour thee,

who find thy yoke easy, and thy burden light,

thy work honourable,

thy commandments glorious.

But how little thy undeserved goodness has affected me!

how imperfectly have I improved my religious privileges!

how negligent have I been in doing good to others!

I am before thee in my trespasses and sins,

have mercy on me,

and may thy goodness bring me to repentance.

Help me to hate and forsake every false way,

to be attentive to my condition and character,

to bridle my tongue,

to keep my heart with all diligence,

to watch and pray against temptation,

to mortify sin,

to be concerned for the salvation of others.

O God, I cannot endure to see the destruction of my kindred.

Let those that are united to me in tender ties

be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,

instruction, discipline, example,

that my house may be a nursery for heaven,

my church the garden of the Lord,

enriched with trees of righteousness

of thy planting, for thy glory;

Let not those of my family who are amiable, moral, attractive,

fall short of heaven at last;

Grant that the promising appearance of a tender conscience,

soft heart, the alarms and delights of thy Word,

be not finally blotted out,

but bring forth judgment unto victory

in all whom I love.