Text: 1 John 1:8-9
Good morning, Sisters, and welcome to our first “Confession” day. As we mentioned yesterday, it may get a little uncomfy in here. We may feel a little squirmy as we lay our souls bare before the Lord in the presence of this, our faith family. But don’t go! God brings blessing even in — and often through! — the discomfort. He will meet us as we call on him.
The prayers of confession we will use in this study are quoted from The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Puritanism was a Christian movement in the 16th and 17th centuries known for its devotion to personal purity. The Puritans were very serious about their faith — both the inward and outward expressions of it. While we know that even those who strive for strict adherence to the law are in need of much, much grace, there is a sweet desperation for God in these prayers, a longing for His mercy and Word. Something else you’ll notice — those Puritans were blunt! They don’t hold many punches, especially those directed at their own sin. Also? They have Puritan-esque language, so don’t be afraid to google a word or two as needed. (Or skip those words; we won’t judge!)
We pray you’ll find the honesty of these prayers beautiful and refreshing, convicting and grace-giving. May our faith may be bolstered by the faith of those who penned these prayers hundreds of years ago.
Prayer: “The Deeps”
Lord Jesus,
Give me a deeper repentance,
a horror of sin,
a dread of its approach;
help me chastely to flee it,
and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be thine alone.
Give me a deeper trust,
that I may lose myself to find myself in thee,
the ground of my rest,
the spring of my being.
Give me a deeper knowledge of thyself,
as saviour, master, lord and king.
Give me deeper power in private prayer,
more sweetness in thy Word,
more steadfast grip on its truth.
Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action,
and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee.
Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman,
that my being may be a tilled field,
the roots of grace spreading far and wide,
until thou alone art seen in me,
thy beauty golden like summer harvest,
they fruitfulness as autumn plenty.
I have no master but thee,
no law but thy will,
no delight by thyself,
no wealth but that thou givest,
no good but that thou blessest,
no peace but that thou bestowest.
I am nothing but that thou makest me,
I have nothing but that I receive from thee,
I can do nothing but that grace adorns me.
Quarry me deep, dear Lord,
and then fill me to overflowing with living water.
from The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, ©2001, The Banner of Truth Trust, p.75.
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47 thoughts on "the deeps"
Praying for peace and comfort, dear sister.
Give me deeper Trust that I may lose myself – to find myself in You!
I've been hearing God tell me to just be still. To TRUST. My personality is to do, do , do. If there is a problem – find a solution. My trying to conceive journey is teaching me that all I can do is just Trust. Give it over to God; and have Faith as He leads. I'm anxious to provide my DD a sibling. I want to do all the "tricks" in the book to conceive as fast as possible and I find myself pulling back b/c I'm not trusting in God's timing. I am 38 so I feel the time clock is against me. I suffered a miscarriage in January and was told to wait one month before trying again. The experience of that rocked me to the core. I didn't expect that after having a successful pregnancy and producing a beautiful, healthy, daughter. I realized how fragile I am. That all I have is due to God's grace and wonderful mercies. I'm trying to hold on to the hope He promises and believe that our rainbow baby will be here eventually. It's so hard to calm my anxious heart. I need to handover this longing to God – and Trust that what He wants for me will come to pass.
Will you pray for me?
xo
I am a day late to the party but I want each of you to know that your comments touched my heart as deeply as this prayer….and the prayer played the “strings of my heart”. I found myself in it and was captivated by the realization that some one OTHER THAN ME wrote it…so I am not alone in my feelings, failures and need for a Savior :)
Too long I have been slow to forgive.
Too long I’ve let my self live in this hole of muddy negativity
Too long I’ve lived with the fallow ground of bitterness
too long I’ve been short sighted and quick to anger
To long I’ve been stubborn.
Take your strong hand Lord
Reach down and pull me out.
Take me to the place where I can see your green fields of grace and your everlasting spring that flows with forgiveness
where I can see miles and miles of your goodness
plant me there
Wow this is such a humbling prayer! I’m definitely sharing this with others, as it applies to us all. Sometimes the word ‘sin’ is used so much that it’s gravity isn’t really felt. But here – ‘a horror of sin, a dread of its approach’ – that really hits home. What a patient, merciful God of grace we have. I pray to be moulded daily to be more like Him and live a life where only He alone matters.
Thank you, I look forward to other selections from this book.
I just started with you guys yesterday and I have really enjoyed it. I love this prayer especially the part “Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in thee” also “give me deeper power in private prayer” I think these are absolutely amazing words. Janee, thank you so much for your simplification of the prayer. It really helped reading such specific things you pulled from this prayer. I pray that we all find ourselves deep in prayer, especially myself, finding peace and joy that only come from Him.
What a beautiful prayer. Cuts straight to the heart of things, with no pretense or facade of self-righteousness. Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Amen.
I think we can all relate to this prayer and eventhough the wording is not from the 21st century, God still allows us to fully understand it. I can only hope that my prayers to God are as heavy hearted and honest as this one. God is "the ground of my rest, the spring of my being" may I focus on him only and not on the things from this world. God bless you my sisters of SRT.
"Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in thee"
Wow, this is a powerful prayer. It filled my heart and reminded me that I am nothing without God. Blessed by this today.
Wow, this prayer just spoke deep down to the very crevices it needed to. To remember that God is the only reason that I am, that I am nothing without Him. "Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, and action" really resonated with me and convicted me. I think we often forget to confess, and instead go to God with only our needs. I personally need to remember to confess because it humbles me before my maker.
I really appreciate this guided confession. Confession is hard for me because I become prideful (probably the thing I confess the most, also). This is great practice for making it a habit.
I also wanted to say thanks for everyone’s prayers yesterday. Thank you AnnaLee for sharing scripture. The depression has been getting better, thankfully. The chronic pain is present and it has been for a long time. Prayers would always be appreciated for that since it can bring me down. I feel very blessed to be able to talk with you ladies! We have a good community here!
This was so amazing and so powerful, thank you for sharing. It fit right in with what I have been asking God. I want my conviction to remain strong, I am determined not to get comfortable with my sin. "Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee." This line is the most powerful of this prayer for me. I want so much for my entire life to reflect JESUS!
Claire, that section of the prayer really stuck out to me as well. I want to be lost in Jesus, I ache for it.
Camilla, you are in my prayers. I pray that the fear is gone. God will reward your trust. I’m so glad that you and your husband are learning a lot!
The prayer is so powerful. I am nothing but what you make me . I have nothing but what you give me. I can do nothing but what you enable me to do. Quarry deep dear Lord and then fill me to over flowing. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought and action. May this prayer touch each of us big time. Blessings to you all.
As a history major, I loved the "olde tyme" language. Because I'm a nerd.
"Lord, quarry me deep…and remove the sin that would seek to seep into my bones. I know that your Word promises that you are faithful to forgive me when I confess my sin to you. Help me to see sin for what it really is – horrible – and sped my feet to flee from it always. Amen!"
It was just Tuesday night that a bible study leader asked the group if anyone one had a copy of The Valley of Vision. I was the only one that raised my hand. He pulled out his copy and read a passage to us all. He'll be excited to hear, that we are reading from it today.
It's a slowing process–reading through these old prayers and devotions does take a little time, but it causes us (in our busy lives) to slow down–to really ponder some soul cleansing truths.
I began my time of seeking the Lord for revealing of sin yesterday while on a walk, and like a baby I asked him to please only bring to light a few, that I didn't know if I could bear the weight if he revealed them all before me at once.
Oh, this is such a good time. The analogy I'm coming up with is: I weekly do what it takes to keep the "house" clean, but now I'm doing my spring cleaning…looking under the sofa for the dirt I didn't even know was there (yet kind of sorta knew there was deep cleaning to be done).
Praying for us all sisters that this will be an honoring time to our Father.
A speaker yesterday spoke of the fear we have of other people's thoughts as an everyday barrier to us living our lives through the Holy Spirit. They do not matter. This fear should not rule us, it is an example of the willful sins in Psalm 19:13 (NIV) yesterday. But the Lord will cleanse us and help us should we ask:
Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action,
and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee.
Let us do this. I seek His affirmation in my life and not that of others. Let's push aside those pressures today, and tomorrow and the day after that and be who we are in Christ.
I’m so grateful to God for this website and the wonderful women of God that shares God’s Word and His Truth on this platform. Somehow, the message of each day is just what I need, even more so today. My prayer is that I may become intentional in serving my God, intentional in reading & living His Word. As the prayer says, that I may loose myself in Him, only to find myself in Him again.
Can I be honest and admit I struggled with the language in this prayer? BUT GOD, in His infinite goodness, revealed to me that so many of these words have escaped my lips in supplication to Him. As I looked back upon it, these words jumped right off of the pages at me.
Lord Jesus,
Give me a deeper repentance,
Give me a deeper trust,
Give me a deeper knowledge of thyself,
Give me deeper power in private prayer,
Give me deeper holiness
Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman,
I have no master but thee,
I am nothing but that thou makest me,
I have nothing but that I receive from thee,
I can do nothing but that grace adorns me.
Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water.
I want nothing more than to be quarried deep – filled with Living Water.
Mmmhmm…amen, Janee!! To be quarried deep. What a poignant thought.
Also! Have you prayerfully considered funding the She Reads Truth app? If you haven't yet done so, you should click over to the kickstart page and join hundreds of us who are pooling our resources to do something HUGE for The Lord and for our sisters all over the world. The initial goal has been met, but we are now aiming for an app for Android users and possibly a SRT virtual conference! Could you pray about giving or asking those in your life to give?? :)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shereadstrut…
I have to say, when I first saw "Puritan Prayer" I read "Long boring prayer from a really long time ago". I am SO glad I kept reading! I was blessed by this! Thanks SRT sisters!
Excellent! Absolutely love this! Keep up the good work. Appreciate you all so much. Sorry I can’t participate much, too busy preparing for study I lead. Someday when we are on a break maybe I’ll he able to… Blessings!
"I am nothing but that thou makest me,
I have nothing but that I receive from thee,
I can do nothing but that grace adorns me.
Quarry me deep, dear Lord,
and then fill me to overflowing with living water."
Amen
"Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in thee…" Oh that my identity would be rooted in you God! Just as the Bible was written many moons ago but is still relevant in contemporary times, so is this Puritan prayer. It echoes the heart of every true Believer.
I haven't commented in a while, but I'm still here reading everyday with you all! This was Beautiful!!! I love the whole thing- give me a deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in thy word, more steadfast grip on thy truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee! …..plough deep… Until though alone art seen in me! This is my prayer.
I confess so many of these same things. I need: my heart to be thine alone – not being so focused on everything else in my life over you, Lord; deeper trust; deeper knowledge of you, Lord; deeper power in private prayer; and deeper holiness in speech, thought and action. Lord, dig deep in me to quarry out the mess and replace it with who you are. Lord, help me to willingly hand over the shovel that will be used to reach this new depth, so that your work can be completed in me.
This is my prayer as well, Jessica. "Dig deep in me to quarry out the mess and replace it with who you are." Father, empty us so that we may be full to the brim with You and You alone. Praise your Holy, Holy name, oh Lord.
Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action,
and let me not seek moral virtue apart from thee.
Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman..
This I ask of u Thee O’ Lord;I love being in close fellowship wit God cos; I live in ur presence Lord..with u dere’s liberty;life;grace;peace;love;greatness;Jst FiLl me up..Fill me lord…give me strength 2 stand firm in u;let me not waver or stagger by any wind of doctrines..
Prayn 4 u Samantha;I read luke11 2day wit ma family were Jesus teaches abt prayer n hw we shld mk use of it; vs9 says Ask n u shall receive;seek n u shall find by Faith u’ll receive;whteva are d petitions of ur heart d lord will see u tru Amen;God is giving u wht u’ve askd 4 2day..Thanks SRT 4 2day..I love u evry1 ere…
Praise the Lord! Amara, God is speaking through you– your words are so needed, such encouragement… thank you for being the sweet, honest, beautiful aroma of Christ. be blessed today, sister. xoxo
This is awesome! I really am working now on having our daughter understand how punishable sin is, such tough but real thing! Thanks for the wisdom:)
He is all that matters – which makes my sin all the more wretched. Let me make Him my goal, and sin my enemy.
This prayer speaks so vividly about forgiveness. Though written so many years ago it is still very valid today. For me the lines "Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman,
that my being may be a tilled field,
the roots of grace spreading far and wide,
until thou alone art seen in me" stood out. I just want the Lord to fill every aspect of my life. Right now I feel as if I am entering a new season and God is showing up every step of the way. I want to reflect all he has done for me. All he is doing and going to do… I want His roots to fill me until He is seen in me, all of me.
Amen Aneika! Father, fill every part of us and make us nothing but your sweet aroma, Jesus! Reminds me of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCh31xg4vA&fe… "Fill us up, and send us out, oh Lord!" Blessings, sister. :)
So powerful!!!!! Awesome prayer……
– Give me a deeper holiness in speech, thought and action…..
Amazing prayer…..even more amazing is that, bring it up to modern language, it could be the prayer of many, if not all our hearts!!!!! ….But God, He never changes…..the same yesterday, today forever……the same God is hearing these prayers today, and He will hear them tomorrow and beyond…He stays the same through the ages, His love never fails….
These lines touched my heart…
Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman,
that my being may be a tilled field,
the roots of grace spreading far and wide,
until thou alone art seen in me,
thy beauty golden like summer harvest,
they fruitfulness as autumn plenty……………
Lord, I pray you do a deep work in me, today and every day, cleanse me, that I might be white as snow, that the Grace extended me by your work in me, I may extend to others in your name, help me Lord to walk in your Light, that only you are seen in me, I am nothing without you, what I have you gave, by grace, I am who I am because of you Lord…..your Grace, covers me… work deep in me today Lord, that I might only reflect You, my Lord, my God, my King…..help me, guide me, direct me to be a blessing to you, my God…..in the name of Jesus I pray……amen.
God bless your days ladies….with love.x x x
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Same lines stood out to me, Tina! Thank you for the words of your prayer!
Praying your beautiful prayer right along with you, Tina! Lord, do deep works in all of us today. Let us be ever more deeply rooted in your love and firmly founded in faith. Bring us closer and closer to you, and let us submit ALL to you, that we'd become Wholly Yours in all truth and righteousness, Dear God. Let your truth be desired more than life, and let your words soak into the soil of our hearts as we continue to seek your beautiful, beautiful face, oh Lord. Praise your Holy name. Be so blessed, dear Tina! Lots of love! xoxo
AMEN AnnaLee…..Where two or more are in agreement…..I will be with them…..says the Lord….Blessings being prayed over you too, dear friend.x x x
The language of this prayer is so beautiful, intimate and bold.
How appropriate – especially for this Lenten season, when we forsake something that isn't necessarily bad in order that we have a renewed perspective of that which is right. By fasting something that isn't even sin, the act of purposing to put the Lord first inevitably brings light to reveal "the horror of sin" which indeed does lead to a deeper repentance.
So much of this prayer stood out to me, but the one line that is so true for my life at this moment is, "no wealth but that thou givest." My husband and I are going through a time of really learning what it means to trust in the Lord for our finances. It's been downright discouraging, but faith-growing at the same time. There are things that we want to do in the future for the Lord's glory and Kingdom that will require great faith, but cultivating that faith doesn't come easy. I'm sure that's why the Lord is bringing us through this season right now. If we can't trust Him in these smaller things, how will we trust Him with the bigger things? We are truly learning that any and all wealth – much or little – comes from the Lord. Please pray for us. We honestly need a miracle right now in order to do what we believe the Lord is calling us to.
Thank you, sisters.
Just prayed for you and your husband! That the Lord would give you faith to trust in Him and that he would honor your sincere hearts in trusting in Him and giving up your finances to Him. May He grant you peace in this season.
In Him,
Camilla
Praying! Just want to share testimony from a ministry perspective, although I don't know what God is calling y'all to do. My fiance's family is in the ministry- he and his dad are both pastors. They have gone through seasons where they knew The Lord was calling them somewhere or to do something but they had NO idea how they could make it through the month financially. And that is where "God Math" happens. You know, turning some fish and bread into a feast.. He can and will do they with your finances. My fiance's family had times where they crunched the numbers and they could not figure out how they had made the bills and still had some money left over. But that's God and that's his provision. :) Be blessed!!
I love this prayer so much truth. So much heart felt crying out to God. This line in particular stuck out
Give me a deeper trust,
that I may lose myself to find myself in thee,
That is my desire today. To lose myself-to let go of my wants, my desires, what matters to me. And to find myself- my self worth, in God- his dreams and plans. His story told through me!
Claire, I love your reflections. I think I am in the same place. It's time for me to let go of my own needs for His greater good. I find myself being so self-conscious, yet I think finding my self-worth in God is something I need to work on and begin to accept that God is going to love me no matter how often I fail or succeed. Thank you for your reflection. It made me meditate and reflect even further.