A PRAYER FOR JOY

Lord Jesus Christ, all your ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.

You did weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice.

For my joy you have sent the Comforter, multiplied your promises, shown me your future happiness, given me a living fountain.

You are preparing joy for me and me for joy;

I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy; give me more than I can hold, desire, or think of.

Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy, at my work, business, duties.

If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning.

Let me rest in the thought of your love, pardon for sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state

I am an unworthy recipient of your grace.

I often disesteem your blood and slight your love, but can in repentance draw water from the wells of your joyous forgiveness.

Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected for ever, where you will rejoice over me with joy.

There is no joy like the joy of heaven, for in that state are no sad divisions, unchristian quarrels, contentions, evil designs, weariness, hunger, cold, sadness, sin, suffering, persecutions, toils of duty.

O healthful place where none are sick!

O happy land where all are royalty!

O holy land where all are priests!

How free a state where none are servants except to you!

Bring me speedily to the land of joy.

(THE VALLEY OF VISION: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett, p.162)