A Prayer of John Baillie

O God, immortal, eternal, invisible, I remember with gladness and thanksgiving all that thou hast been to this world of men:

      Companion of the brave:
      Upholder of the loyal:
      Light of the wanderer:
      Joy of the pilgrim:
      Guide of the pioneer:
      Helper of labouring men:
      Refuge of the broken-hearted:
      Deliverer of the oppressed:
      Succour of the tempted:
      Strength of the victorious:
      Ruler of rulers:
      Friend of the poor:
      Rescuer of the perishing:
      Hope of the dying.

Give me faith now to believe that thou canst be all in all to me, according to my need, if only I renounce all proud self-dependence and put my trust in thee.

Forbid it, O Father, that the difficulty of living well should ever tempt me to fall into any kind of heedlessness or despair. May I keep it ever in mind that this human life was once divinely lived and this world once nobly overcome and this body of flesh, that now so sorely tries me, once made into thy perfect dwelling-place.

Show thy lovingkindness to-night, O Lord, to all who stand in need of thy help. Be with the weak to make them strong and with the strong to make them gentle. Cheer the lonely with thy company and the distracted with thy solitude. Prosper thy Church in the fulfilment of her mighty task, and grant thy blessing to all who have toiled to-day in Christ’s name. Amen.

— From A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie

Reflection:

Behold — Where are the eyes of your heart drawn into this prayer?
Believe — How is your faith strengthened in this prayer?
Belong — Who are you recalling as you pray this prayer?
Become — What is God inviting you to receive and thereby become as you pray this prayer?