Word of Encouragement (09/02/2022)

Here is another evening prayer of Baillie’s to finish the week:

“O UNAPPROACHABLE Light, how can I raise these guilty hands to you? How can I pray to you with lips that have spoken hollow and grumpy words?

A heart hardened with vindictive passions;

An unruly tongue;

An irritable nature;

An unwillingness to bear the burdens of others;

An undue willingness to let others bear my burdens;

Exaggerated boasting about small achievements;

Fine words hiding unworthy thought;

A friendly face masking a cold heart;

Many neglected opportunities and many undeveloped talents;

Much love and beauty unappreciated and many blessings unacknowledged;

All these I confess to you, O God.

“Thank you, O loving Father, that holy and transcendent as you are, you have always shown yourself to be accessible to the prayers of sinful people like me. Especially I praise your name that in the gospel of Jesus Christ you have opened up a new and living way into your presence, making your mercy free to all who have nothing else to plead. Let me now find peace in my heart by turning away from myself and taking refuge in you. Let my despair over my miserable sins give way to joy in your adorable goodness. Let depression of mind make way for a renewed energy and a serving spirit. So let me lie down tonight thinking not of myself and my own concerns, or of my hopes and fears, or even of the ways in which I have offended you, but of others who need your help and of the work that I can do for their sakes in the vineyard of your world. Amen.”

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