Open this day my heart, O Lord,
And let me see the truth of my being
Those darknesses I hold in my heart,
The hard places I see without seeing.
Throw open the dark and let in your truth,
The saving touch of your light,
Restore me, make me white as wool,
Clean to stand in your sight.
How often it is that I miss the mark,
Fall short of the way you would send me,
My good intentions crumble like dirt,
As I let in the darkness to bend me.
It is only by clinging here to your cross,
That I can find help for my falling,
Only by standing up and facing my wrongs
Can my life answer your calling.
O help me see clearly where I go wrong,
Bring your light into my life.
Strip away all the veils that I wrap me in,
Thy Spirit sharper than any knife.
O Lord of my life, shape me and mold me,
Forgive me my failings this day.
O cleanse me and make me the way that you would
Make me all yours, this I pray.
BTTT
I Want to Share a Portion of One of our Brother William Cowper's Letters in which he Describes how his Days were Spent. It is a Christ-Honoring Testimony, and a Blessing to Read.
"We Breakfast Commonly between Eight and Nine; till Eleven we Read Either the Scripture, or the Sermons of Some Faithful Preacher of those Holy Mysteries; at Eleven we Attend Divine Service, which is performed Here Twice Every Day; and from Twelve to Three we Separate, and Amuse ourselves as we Please. During that Interval I Either Read in my Own Apartment, or Walk, or Ride, or Work in the Garden. We Seldom Sit an Hour After Dinner; but, if the Weather permits, Adjourn to the Garden, where, with Mrs. Unwin and her Son, I have Generally the Pleasure of Religious Conversation till Tea-Time.
If it Rains, or is too Windy for Walking, we Either Converse Indoors, or Sing Some Hymns of Martin's Collection; and by the Help of Mrs. Unwin's Harpsichord, Make Up a Tolerable Concert, in which our Hearts, I Hope, are the Best and Most Musical Performers. After Tea we Sally Forth to Walk in Good earnest. Mrs. Unwin is a Good Walker, and we have Generally Travelled about Four Miles before we See Home Again. When the Days are Short, we Make this Excursion in the Former Part of the Day, between Church-Time and Dinner.
At Night we Read and Converse, as before, till Supper, and Commonly Finish the Evening either with Hymns or a Sermon, and Last of All the Family are Called to Prayers. I Need Not Tell you that Such a Life as this is Consistent with the Utmost Cheerfulness; Accordingly we are All Happy, and Dwell Together in Unity as Brethren. Mrs. Unwin has almost a Maternal Affection for me, and I have Something Very Like a Filial One for her; and her Son and I are Brothers. Blessed be the God of our Salvation for Such Companions, and for Such a Life; Above All, for a Heart to Like it!"
He Goes On to Say that he Wanted to, "if it Please the Almighty, be an Instrument of Turning Many to Truth."
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this Beautiful Testimony to Thy Grace. Please Work Within us a Desire for Thy Word, and for Prayer. Grant us a Heart that Loves Thy Word and Thy Ways. Help us to Shine Brightly in Thy Love.
Thank You for Thy Spirit that Leads us to All Truth. Bless Your Children with Resources for this Life, and Grant us a Home with Thee in the Next. Let us Behold Thy Glory, Sovereign Lord. We Love You, O Father our King, as we Pray in Jesus' Name, amen.