Praying out of a book?

For some reason, I grew up to believe that any prayer book or the reciting of prayers written down was taboo. I don’t know why… perhaps it’s because of an overreaction to other religions and their repetitive and seemingly insincere “readings” from prayer books. Or maybe it was a bad application of the reformational principle of the priesthood of believers. However I came to this conclusion (and I take full responsibility for it), it was a solid conviction of mine for far too many years.

I once saw a lady on a plane who had a prayer book open. She was visibly frightened and she was finding some distraction and perhaps even solace in reciting those written prayers as our little plane bounced around in turbulence. For some reason, in my pride, I chided her in my mind, “Can’t she just close her eyes and pray to God without another person doing it for her??” How unfortunate and ugly of me.

Most of my praying today is done without the assistance of a prayer book. But I have found one book of prayers to be particularly helpful. I have since purchased it for others, hoping they would enjoy it and profit from it as much as I have.

I will often begin my devotions with one of the prayers in this book. They are very God-centered and Christ-exalting. They are also very honest and descriptive of sins’ perpetual presence in the life of a believer and the hope of Christ to relieve that tension. I highly commend The Valley of Vision compiled by Arthur Bennett. Let me share one of these terrific prayers with you (and, hopefully, I am not breaking any copyright laws here……..).

LOVE LUSTRES AT CALVARY

MY FATHER,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips,
supply words that proclaim, ‘Love lustres[1] at Calvary.’

There grace removes my burden and heaps them on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, a sin for me;

There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;

There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;

There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
- cast off that I might be brought in,
- trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
- surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
- stripped that I might be clothed,
- wounded that I might be healed,
- athirst that I might drink,
- tormented that I might be comforted,
- made a shame that I might inherit glory,
- entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
- groaned that I might have endless song,
- endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
- bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
- bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
- experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
- closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
- expired that I might for ever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.

O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step buoyant with delight, as I see
- my enemies crushed,
- Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
- sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
- hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.

Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
mighty to subdue, comfort, save.

FROM The Valley of Vision – A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions edited by Arthur Bennett (pp. 42-43)

UPDATE: The Banner of Truth (which publishes this book) website has a daily entry from the Valley of Vision - check it out! Just click on the "daily devotion selected from the Valley of Vision".

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[1] Luster is defined as shining, radiating, brightness, brilliant beauty, glory