Act of Approach

Benign Lord,

I praise the continually for permission

to approach thy throne of grace,

and to spread my wants and desires before thee.

I am not worthy of thy blessings and mercies

for I am far gone from original righteousness;

MY depraved nature reveals itself in disobedience and rebellion.

MY early days discovered in me discontent, pride, envy, revenge.

REMEMBER not the sins of my youth,

nor the multplied trangressions of later years,

my failure to improve time and talents,

my abuse of mercies and means,

my wasted sabbaths,

my perverted seasons of grace,

my long neglct of thy great salvation,

my disregard of the Friend of sinners.

WHILE I confess my guilt, help me to feel it deeply, with self-abhorrence and self-despair, yet

to remember there is hope in thee, and to see the Lamb that takes away sin.

THROUGH him may I return to thee,

listen to thee,

trust in thee,

delight in thy law,

obey thee,

be upheld my thee.

PERSERVE my understanding from error,

my affections from the love of idols,

my lips from speaking guile,

my conduct from the stain of vice,

my character from the appearance of evil,

that I may be harmless, blameless, rebukeless, exemplary, useful, light-giving, prudent, zealous for thy glory and the good of my fellow men.

From the Valley of Vision