Friday, April 18, 2014

A Good Friday Prayer

The following is taken in its entirety from The Valley of Vision.

My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips
     supply words that proclaim 'Love lustres at Calvary.'
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,
     made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
     and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
     and infinite punishment was endured.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
          cast off that I might be brought in,
          trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
          surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best,
          stripped that I might be clothed,
          wounded that I might be healed,
          athirst that I might drink,
          tormented that I might be comforted,
          made a shame that I might inherit glory,
          entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes
          groaned that I might have endless song,
          endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
          bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
          bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
          experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
          closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
          expired that I might forever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mighest spare me,
All this transfer they love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my breath might be ecstatic praise,
          my every step buoyant with delight as I see
               my enemies crushed,
               Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
               sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
               hell's gates closed,
               heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
     mighty to subdue, comfort and save.