From The Valley of Vision

Longings After God

My Dear Lord,

I can but tell thee that thou knowest
I long for nothing but thyself,
Nothing but holiness,
Nothing but union with thy will.

Thou hast given me these desires,
And though alone canst give me the thing desired
My soul longs for communion with thee,
For mortification of indwelling corruption,
Especially spiritual pride.

How precious it is
To have a tender sense and clear apprehension
Of the mystery of godliness,
Of true holiness!
What a blessedness to be like thee
As much as it is possible for creature
To be like its Creator!

Lord give me more of thy likeness,
Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness;
Engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences,
And when I feel at east after sweet communings,
Teach me it is far too little I know and do.

Blessed Lord,
Let me climb up near to thee,
And love, and long, and plead, and wrestle with thee,
And pant for deliverance from the body of sin,
For my heart is wandering and lifeless,
And my should mourns to think it should ever
Love sight of its Beloved.

Wrap my life in divine love,
And keep me ever desiring thee,
Always humble and resigned to thy will,
More fixed on thyself
That I may be more fitted for doing
And suffering.