Voyage - A Prayer

Not sure just when it first happened, but the prayer below, from the Valley of Vision, is one I gravitate to on New Year's Day. Each year is much like an uncharted ocean. Oh yes, we may think we have it figured out, we may think that our planning calendars have it down pat, but we are kidding ourselves if we think that way. Sure it is prudent to plan, but it ought to be acknowledged that all plans are subject to the will of God. Perhaps it also ought to be acknowledged that we live in a chaotic world and that the best we can do is the best we can do...which I think is to love God and others and trust Him to be with us as we sail our little ships on a great big ocean.

None of us are on this particular ocean indefinitely, some of us will come to shore sooner rather than later...we just don't know. What we can know, most assuredly know, is that when we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ that it is His shore that we will arrive at and that He will be there to greet us.

Voyage

O Lord of the oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants,

Hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things, expect great things,

Shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

My wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

But my helm is held steady, thy Word secures safe passage,

Thy grace wafts me onward, my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

My peace flowing as a running tide,

My righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

With skill to convert every care into prayer,

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

Smooth every asperity of temper;

Let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

May I strive to bind up every wound,

And pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the Saviour’s cross,

And every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

Until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

From the Valley of Vision, pages 202 - 203,

Banner of Truth Trust.