The Valley of Vision

Desires
O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYERS
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises
the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above
without reverence and humility,
that I have often desired things which would have injured me,
that I have depreciated some of the chief mercies,
that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
that I am unfit to chose for myself ,
for it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let Thy Spirit help my infirmities,
for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things,
then shall I know Thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
but always refer them to Thy fatherly goodness,
for Thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers,
or that I am rich unless rich toward Thee.
or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first its kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised, and have thy blessing,
rather than be successful in enterprise,
or have more than my heart can wish,
or be admired by my fellow-men,
if thereby these things make me forget Thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexations of spirit,
and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in Thy favor, image, presence, and service.
-The Valley of Vision