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A Prayer for the New Year
INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN WORSHIP LECTURES Free audio lectures at www.sbts.edu/icw (click on previous lectures) ===================================== Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is from Arthur Bennett’s THE VALLEY OF VISION. In this prayer for the beginning of a new year, the author postures himself before God's magnificent providence and grace. [I trust that the archaic language found herein for thee a hindrance will not be; neither shall a rocking of thy bark ensue.] NEW YEAR O LORD, Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory. Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom. I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbor, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free. Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilize. May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy. —Arthur Bennett, editor. THE VALLEY OF VISION: A COLLECTION OF PURITAN PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Banner of Truth Trust, 1999 (first published in 1975), p. 112. ISBN 0-85151-228-3. [For several years I have been using the audio version of THE VALLEY OF VISION as read by Max McLean (www.listenersbible.com, available at www.listenersbible.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_custom_info&cPath;=14&products;_id=72 . I highly recommend this recording. Go to the site and listen to a sample: Max McLean reading the first prayer in the collection, "The Valley of Vision." You'll see what I mean.] ============================================ OTHER WORSHIP QUOTES FOR THE NEW YEAR & EPIPHANY ============================================ http://wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2007-01-02 (Dudley-Smith) http://wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2008-12-30 (Boice) http://wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1996-01-02 (Wise Men) Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw =========================== WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK: To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view a complete index of worship quotes, please visit http://www.wqotw.org. =========================== |