Puritan prayers to inspire your own.
The strength of Puritan character and life lay in prayer and meditation. In this practice the spirit of prayer was regarded as of first importance and the best form of prayer, for living prayer is the characteristic of genuine spirituality. Yet prayer is also vocal and may therefore on occasions be written. Consequently in the Puritan tradition there are many written prayers and meditations which constitute an important corpus of inspiring devotional literature.
Too often extempore prayer lacks variety, order and definiteness. The reason for this lies partly in a neglect of due preparation. It is here that the care and scriptural thoroughness which others found necessary in their approach to God may be of help. This book has been prepared not to ‘supply’ prayers but to prompt and encourage the Christian as he treads the path on which others have gone before.
Preface
Introductory The Valley of Vision
1 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
2 Redemption and Reconciliation
3 Penitence and Deprecation
4 Needs and Devotions
5 Holy Aspirations
6 Approach to God
7 Gifts of Grace
8 Service and Ministry
9 Valediction
10 A Week’s Shared Prayers
Bibliography
| Contributors | Arthur Bennett |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9780851512280 |
| Format | Paperback |
| First published | January 2015 |
| Dimensions | 129mm x 196mm x 18mm |
| Weight | 0.32 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 223 |
| Publisher | Banner of Truth |
When used slowly, for meditation and prayer, these pages have often been used by God’s Spirit to kindle my dry heart.
The prayers in The Valley of Vision are steeped in Scripture, yet never succumb to mere formula. They are theologically fresh and vibrant, yet they are rooted in confessionalism. They range over a huge sweep of Christian experience and devotion, but they are never merely esoteric or cute. They brim with deep emotion and transparent passion, but they carefully avoid mere sentimentalism. This is a book that teaches readers to pray by example.
It’s amazing how frequently the prayers from the little book The Valley of Vision show up in our worship services.
The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers, and I would put them in that category. That is, they are thoughtful, reflective, and meditative. They’re even written in a certain kind of cadence, if you’ve ever noticed, which is probably very intentional, so that they might be used in corporate settings. But they came out of a deep heart of communion with God.
Probably one of the best books I have ever read. A wonderful aid to devotion.
I found this old classic a tonic to my often dreary and repetitive prayer life. It gave me breadth and depth and reminded me afresh of the glory of the God to whom we are so privileged to come to in prayer. Looking to bring freshness to your prayers as well as having deep insight to reflect on? Well - I thoroughly recommend The Valley of Vision. So helpful to me in 2021.
