Valley of Vision- The Family

One of my very favorite books is of a collection of Puritan prayers called “The Valley of Vision.”  It protects me from chronological snobbery, kindles affection in my prayers, convicts my heart of sin, and reminds me of my only hope, Jesus.  The following is one of my favorites that I pray for myself, my family, and “all whom I love.”

O SOVEREIGN LORD,
Thou art the Creator-Father of all men,
  for thou hast made and dost support them;
Thou art the special Father of those who know, love and honour thee,
  who find thy yoke easy, and
       thy burden light,
       thy work honourable,
       thy commandments glorious.
But how little thy undeserved goodness has affected me!
  how imperfectly have I improved my religious privileges!
  how negligent have I been in doing good to others!
I am before thee in my trespasses and sins, have mercy on me,
Help me to hate and forsake every false way,
       to be attentive to my condition and character,
       to bridle my tongue,
       to keep my heart with all diligence,
       to watch and pray against temptation,
       to mortify sin,
       to be concerned for the salvation of others.
O God, I cannot endure to see the destruction of my kindred.
Let those that are united to me in tender ties
  be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.
Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,
             instruction,
             discipline,
             example,
  that my house may be a nursery for heaven,
    that my church the garden of the Lord,
      enriched with trees of righteousness of thy planting,
                                            for thy glory;
Let not those of my family who are amiable, moral, attractive,
  fall short of heaven at last;
Grant that the promising appearances of a tender conscience, soft heart,
  the alarms and delights of thy Word, be not finally blotted out,
  but bring forth judgment unto victory in all whom I love.