The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

The strength of Puritan character and life lay in prayer and meditation. In this practice the spirit of prayer was regarded as of first importance and the best form of prayer, for living prayer is the characteristic of genuine spirituality. Yet prayer is also vocal and may therefore on occasions be written. Consequently in the Puritan tradition there are many written prayers and meditations which constitute an important corpus of inspiring devotional literature. Too often ex tempore prayer lacks variety, order and definiteness. The reason for this lies partly in a neglect of due preparation. It is here that the care and scriptural thoroughness which others found necessary in their approach to God may be of help. This book has been prepared not to ‘supply’ prayers but to prompt and encourage the Christian as he treads the path on which others have gone before. The author was a Canon of St. Albans Cathedral, sometime Rector of Little Munden and Sacombe, Hertfordshire, and was for seventeen years a tutor in Biblical Theology and Christian Doctrine at All Nations Christian College. He died in October 1994 aged 79.

Endorsements

‘When used slowly, for meditation and prayer, these pages have often been used by God’s Spirit to kindle my dry heart.’
—Mark Dever

‘The prayers in The Valley of Vision are steeped in Scripture, yet never succumb to mere formula. They are theologically fresh and vibrant, yet they are rooted in confessionalism. They range over a huge sweep of Christian experience and devotion, but they are never merely esoteric or cute. They brim with deep emotion and transparent passion, but they carefully avoid mere sentimentalism. This is a book that teaches readers to pray by example.’
—D. A. Carson

Contents

Preface
Introductory: The Valley of Vision
I Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
II Redemption and Reconciliation
III Penitence and Deprecation
IV Needs and Devotions
V Holy Aspirations
VI Approach to God
VII Gifts of Grace
VIII Service and Ministry
IX Valediction
X A Week’s Shared Prayers
Bibliography