Blessed Spirit of God, Four evils attend my ministry - The devil treads me down by discouragement and shame    arising from coldness in private meditation. Carelessness possesses me from natural dullness and dimness of spirit;     because in the past I have met with success        and have been highly regarded,     so that it does not matter if I have now failed.Infirmities and weakness are mine    from want of spiritual light, life and power,     so that souls have not been helped,     and I have not felt thee to be near. Lack of success has followed even when...

O My Lord, Let not my ministry be approved only by men, Or merely win the esteem and affections of people; But do the work of grace in their hearts,     call in thy elect,     seal and edify the regenerate ones,     and command eternal blessings on their souls. Save me from self-opinion and self-seeking; Water the hearts of those who hear thy Word,      that seed sown in weakness may be raised in power; Cause me and those who hear me     to behold thee here in the light of special faith,     and hereafter in the blaze...

Besides my Bible and my journal, there is one book that I keep in my bag all the time. It's a book of Puritan prayers and devotions entitled, The Valley of Vision. In fact, it is my custom to read from it daily - at least one or two prayers. Reading from this devotional reminds me of the greatness of God. It also reminds me of how much I need to grow and beckons me to draw closer to the Lord. I recommend that you pick up a copy of Valley. You can find it through The Banner of Truth...