Valley of Vision: Desires

O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYERS,

Teach me to pray.

  I confess that in religious exercises 

the language of my lips and the feelings

 of my heart have not always agreed, 

that I have frequently taken carelessly upon 

  my tongue a name never pronounced above

     without reverence and humility, 

that I have often desired things that would 

  have injure me, 

that I have depreciated some of my chief mercies, 

that I have erred both on the side of my hopes 

  and also of my fears, 

that I am unfit to choose for myself,

  for it is not in me to direct my steps.

Let thy spirit help my infirmities,

  for I know not what to pray for as I ought. 

Let him produce in me wise desires by which 

   I may ask right things, then shall I know thou hearest me. 

May I never be importunate for temporal blessings, 

  but always refer them to thy fatherly goodness, 

  for thou knowest what I need before I ask; 

May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers, 

  or that I am rich unless rich towards thee, 

  or that I am wise unto salvation. 

May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness. 

May I value things in relation to eternity. 

May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude. 

May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have 

    thy blessing, 

  rather than be successful in enterprise,

  or have more than my heart can wish,

  or be admired by my fellow-men,

    if thereby these things make me forget thee.

May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, 

     vexation of spirit,

   and desire to depart from it. 

And may I seek my happiness in thy favor, 

     image, presence, service.

From The Valley of Vision pages 194-195