Ten thousand snares

Something to encourage you this week. I love the Puritans!

BLESSED GOD,
Ten thousand snares are mine without and within,
defend thou me; 

When sloth and indolence seize me,
give me views of heaven; 

When sinners entice me,
give me disrelish of their ways; 

When sensual pleasures tempt me,
purify and refine me; 

When I desire worldly possessions,
help me to be rich toward thee; 

When the vanities of the world ensnare me,
let me not plunge into new guilt and ruin. 

May I remember the dignity of my spiritual release,
never be too busy to attend to my soul,
never be so engrossed with time
that I neglect the things of eternity;
thus may I not only live, but grow towards thee.

—Excerpt from the "A Christian's Prayer," In: Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayer, compiled by Arthur G. Bennett