"Resting on God": a Puritan Prayer

I’ve been feeling somewhat overwhelmed by everything that has to happen before we leave. August 6^th is very quickly approaching. We have so much to do in the next few weeks. We also really want to see people while we still have the chance. Anyway, I read this prayer out of Valley of Vision, and it encouraged me:

O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ’s precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.

I especially like the part, “thou art for ever at perfect peace.” The thought that God is not rushed, confused, or experiencing the least bit of anxiety about our move encourages me. How terrible would it be to be an open theist and believe that God is looking at our future with only a greater degree of wisdom and greater degree of foresight, but not really knowing what will happen. The more I think of God’s “infinite serenity” the more it will “cheer me.”

PS. (can you do that in a blog?) I’m pretty much finished the thesis. I’ll give a brief summary of that sometime soon.