While I don’t suggest that we use written prayers as we commune with God, I do find it interesting, instructional, and inspirational to hear or read the prayers of others. Since there are many notable prayers recorded in the Bible that is evidently something God encourages us to do. Here is a simple prayer by John MacDuff, offered up to God in 1856, that for some reason was a blessing to my heart. Perhaps it will affect you the same way——–
Blessed Lord! I desire to draw near this night with holy boldness to the footstool of Your throne, rejoicing that I can look up to You as my Father in Heaven.
Let this hour of prayer be doubly hallowed–by the thought that I am permitted to frequent my Heavenly Father’s presence, and pour my needs into my Father’s ear!
Let me feel every temporal blessing to be doubly sweet–as emanating from my Heavenly Father’s hand, and being a proof and pledge of my Father’s love! May every rill of temporal bliss be doubly precious to me–as flowing from Christ’s atoning sacrifice!
Let this season of sorrow be sweetened by the thought that the rod is in my Heavenly Father’s hand–and that the voice, through apparently rough–is the tender whispering of paternal wisdom and love! May I take refuge in the arms that are chastising me, and be enabled to say in unmurmuring submission, “May the Lord’s will be done!”
Hear me, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.
