Prayers of John Baillie

Up until last week I had never heard of John Baillie. But last Sunday I came across examples his writings in two different sources, and have been very blessed by his written prayers. It's easy for our prayers to be limited to a quick saying of grace at dinner or maybe asking Him for our desired outcome in a particular circumstance. I appreciate how this prayer from Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer calls to mind God's holiness and sovereignty, and reminds us of who he created us to be. The requests in this prayer center on desiring His will to be done in all things in our life. What a great prayer to start your day with and continue meditating on.

Fourth Morning: "Your Waiting Presence"

Almighty and eternal God,

You are hidden from my sight:

You are beyond the understanding of my mind:

Your thoughts are not my thoughts:

Your ways are past finding out.

Yet you have breathed Your Spirit into my life:

Yet You have formed my mind to seek You:

Yet You have inclined me heart to love You:

Yet You have made me restless for the rest that is in You:

Yet You have planted within me a hunger and thirst that make me dissatisfied with all the joys of earth.

O You who alone know what lies before me this day,

grant that in every hour of it I may stay close to You.

Let me be in the world, yet not of it. Let me use this world without abusing it.

If I buy, let me be as though possessed not.

If I have nothing, let me be as though possessing all things.

Let me today embark on no undertaking that is not in line with Your will for my life,

nor shrink from any sacrifice which Your will may demand.

Suggest, direct, control every movement of my mind;

for my Lord Christ's sake. Amen.