No Words

Those of you who know me should know that I am rarely ever at a loss for words. I always have a pretty firm opinion. I usually have my next crazy idea on the brink of developing. I am ready at moment's notice to weigh in on the next "big thing." But that's not today. I've questioned all week what I would write in my Monday Blog Post. Sure, I've got a multitude of opinions, ideas, and even Scripture to share, but frankly I feel rather numb.

James and I spent some time tonight in prayer. We follow a prayer circle that takes us through 12 facets of prayer including meditation. During this time, James gave me a book to read called, The Valley of Vision. It is a collection of prayers from the Puritans. The excerpt was entitled, "Voyage." When we read it together, I knew this was what I wanted to give you today.

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants, hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things,

Expect great things,

Shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully, my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

But my helm is held steady,

Thy Word secures safe passage,

Thy grace wafts me onward,

My haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

My peace flowing as a running tide,

My righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me live circumspectly, with skill to convert every care into prayer,

Halo my path with gentleness and love, smooth every asperity of temper;

Let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

May I strive to bind up every wound, and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live,

Let my mast before me be the Saviour's cross,

And every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

Until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

Sometimes having no words allows words to be spoken into the very depth of our souls. May these words spur you on, my readers, to a life completely abandoned to our Saviour (Acts 17:28), for there is no other way to live.