Desires

This from "The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions." My mother-in law gave me this book and, though the language is archaic, the prayers still ring true. This one convicted me how poorly I pray and how my values are messed up. How often I ask for material blessings or comforts over spiritual ones! Yet I am comforted that the Spirit is at work in me and can change my desire to His desires.

Oh Thou that hearest prayer,

Teach me to pray.
I confess that in my religious exercises the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
that I have taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility,
that I have often desired things which would have injured me,
that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies,
that I have erred on both the side of my hopes and on the side of my fears,
that I am unfit to choose for myself, for it is not in me to direct my steps.

Let thy Spirit help my infirmities,
for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let Him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things,
then I shall know that thou hearest me.

May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
but always refer them to thy fatherly goodness,
for thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers,
or that I am rich unless towards thee,
or that I am wise unless wise to salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have they blessing,
rather than be successful in enterprise,
or have more than my heart can wish,
or be admired by my fellow-men
if thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams lies, vanities, vexation of spirit,
and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favor, image, presence, and service.