Daily Devotional

Sometimes God brings to my mind the writings of those whose lives have been deeply used to touch my heart. The following is one such prayer, written by Arthur Bennett as an introduction to his book, “The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.” Please take a moment to join me in this quiet reflection:

  LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,  Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.  
 
Let me learn by paradox          
that the way down is the way up,  
that to be low is to be high,            
that the broken heart is the healed heart,            
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,            
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,            
that to have nothing is to possess all,            
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,            
that to give is to receive,            
that the valley is the place of vision.  

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;  

Let me find thy light in my darkness,            
thy life in my death,            
thy joy in my sorrow,  
thy grace in my sin,  
thy riches in my poverty,            
thy glory in my valley.