We cry to you, God, for renewing grace. We lie at your footstool and cry, “Help, Lord, or I will perish!”
Create in me a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me.
Renew me in the spirit of my mind, and renew me in my inner soul.
Take away this old mind that is so blind, so vain, so carnal.
Take away this old will that is so obstinate, so perverse, so rebellious.
Take away this old conscience that is so partial, so seared, so senseless.
Take away this old heart that will never delight in, comply with, or submit to you.
Let old things pass away, let all things become new. You who brought this world out of nothing with a word, can with a word work in me this new creation.
Do not let me perish. Say the word, and it will be done. Just say the word, and this world–now a dark, woeful chaos and a lump of corruption and confusion — will become a new creature.
Lord, give me this heart, put this new spirit into me. You have the key of David. You close, and no one opens. You open, and no one can shut. Lord, open this heart that has been too long closed against you. Break down these strongholds that keep you from me.
Cast out sin and cast out the world that kept you out of possession for so long. Bind the strong man and cast him out.
Other lords have had dominion over me; they have made me miserable by keeping my Lord, my happiness, from me. Cast out these intruders, take possession of me, and be mine forever.
You call for my heart, Lord; it is yours. Though I have dealt treacherously with you, and given my heart to other things, it is yours. It cost you dearly. So enter, take possession of it.
You knock at the door to this wretched heart. Why stay so long outside? Come in and bless me with your presence. Break it open with almighty power, and let it no longer shut you out. Amen.
David Clarkson, the prayer writer, was a theologian born in 1622 in the UK, Bradford. Suffice it to say he’s no longer with us by about 300+ years, but his impact is still felt. Clarkson was what was considered a nonconformist — that’s exactly what it sounds like — he did not conform, fall in line, keep in step, with the Church of England. He was not obedient and did not comply with those teachings. Many years later there were others who were nonconformists who escaped the Church of England and that’s why we’re right here in the good ole USA.
I’ve said before — I just love these dead men — eeeeewww, you say. I don’t mean that in a creepy way, I say this with complete reverence and honor. The Puritan Fathers had a way of putting things that just struck right to the heart of a matter. Maybe I like them because they spoke of Our Lord in a way not spoken today, they didn’t beat around the bush. Maybe I like them because they held Our Lord God in such high esteem, in a world that tramples His blessed name. But, I probably most like them because they spoke absolute truth at a very tumultuous time — boldly, directly, and unapologetically, they called a spade a spade, without remorse. So concerned were they that all people accept the salvation of God, that people repent of their sins (yep, we’re sinners), that people enter into His Kingdom for all eternity, that they really didn’t care about political correctness, couching phrases, softening the blows, presentation, or hurt feelings.
I just love this prayer. I’ve been meditating on on it for a couple of weeks and each time I read it I gain more and more understanding. I don’t know about you guys, but I need grace every second of every day. Grace upon grace.
This prayer is such a greater reminder to me of exactly who I am, absolutely nothing without Him. I know because I’ve highlighted all those things in that prayer that I am (ouch!). But more importantly, about exactly who He is. I’ve underlined and exclamation pointed all those things He is (Amazing!). The Spirit Giver, The Mind Transformer, The Vision Giver, The Obedience Giver, The Wisdom Giver, The Heart Transplanter, The Out With the Old — In With The New God, The Light Giver, The Soul Seeker, The Clarifier, The New Creator, The Chain Breaker, The Peace Giver, The Lover of My Soul, The All Powerful, The Door Knocker, The Life Changer, The Grace Giver.
Who doesn’t need every single attribute of God in their lives. I definitely do. I need things I don’t even know I need. He is willing, certainly able, and desirous of our call to Him. He knocks, we need only open the door a crack and He will break it open with almighty power and come in and bless us with His presence and renewing grace.
Try printing the prayer and marking it up — you, Him. Then maybe praying, Lord, give me this heart, put this new spirit into me. Lord, open this heart that has been too long closed against you. Break down these strongholds that keep you from me. Amen.