Give me freedom to open the sorrows of thy people, and to set before them comforting considerations. Attend with power the truth preached, and awaken the attention of my slothful audience.
May thy people be refreshed, melted, convicted, comforted, and help me use the strongest arguments drawn from Christ's incarnation and sufferings,
that men might be made holy.
I myself need thy support, comfort, strength, holiness, that I might be a pure channel of thy grace, and be able to do something for thee;
Give me then refreshment among thy people, and help me not to treat excellent matter in a defective way, or bear a broken testimony to so worthy a Redeemer,
or be harsh in treating of Christ's death, its design and end, from lack of warmth and fervency.
And keep me in tune with thee as I do this work.
[Bennett, Arthur G. The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.
Carlisle: Banner of Truth, 2003, 348-349.]
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