The Love of Jesus

Adapted and revised in contemporary English, 12/28/2020, from The Valley of Vision*

O Father of Jesus,
 
Help me to approach You with deepest reverence,
            not with arrogance, not with timid fear, but with holy boldness. 
You are beyond the grasp of my understanding,
            but not beyond the grasp of my love.
You know I long to love You supremely,
            for You are supremely glorious, good, and perfect. 

My heart melts at Your love, Jesus,
            my brother, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh,
            married to me, dead for me, risen for me;
You are mine and I am Yours,
            You have been given to me as well as for me;
I am never so much mine as when I am Yours,
            or so much lost to myself until lost in You;
            then I find my true created self.

But my love is frost and cold, ice and snow;
            Your love warms me, lightens my burden, becomes my heaven;
May Your love be revealed to me in all its aspects,
            that my love to You may be more passionate and glowing;
Let the mighty tide of Your everlasting love
            cover the rocks of my sin and worry;
Then let my spirit float above those things
            which otherwise would have wrecked my life.

Make me fruitful by living out that love,
            my character becoming more beautiful every day.
If traces of Your love–artistry are upon me,
            may You work on with Your divine brush
            until the complete image is finished
            and I become a perfect copy of You, my Master.
 
Oh Lord Jesus, come to me,
Oh Divine Spirit, rest upon me,
Oh Holy Father, look on me in mercy
            For the sake of Christ and His kingdom.
 

*The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. 2003. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, p. 44-45.