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The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
The Valley of Vision was edited by Arthur Bennett and first published by The Banner of Truth in 1975 (Paperback 220 pages). The daily devotionals found in the book may be accessed on the website. But we love books!
When I purchased this book from my Church’s bookstore, the lady at the counter said something like, “Oh this is a heavy book.” She was right.
The book is divided into ten sections of different emphases with over 200 devotional prayers. The book’s contents were compiled by Arthur Bennett who died in 1994 aged 79. According to Bennett’s Preface, these collections of prayers and devotions were sourced, edited and formatted from the works of:
…Thomas Shepherd, Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, William Williams, Philip Doddridge, William Romaine, David Brainerd, Augustus Toplady, Christmas Evans, William Jay, Henry Law and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Bennett writes that:
The book is not intended to be read as a prayer manual. The soul learns to pray by praying; for prayer is communion with a transcendent and immanent God who on the ground of his nature and attributes calls forth all the powers of the redeemed soul in acts of adoration and dedication. The prayers should therefore be used as aspiration units, the several parts of which could become springboards for the individual’s own prayer subjects…
More than that, these prayers are tutorials and meditations on the Christian condition and our reliance on the works of The Trinity. They expose our natural sinful desires and need for personal holiness. They glorify God’s work in our redemption. Like William Gurnall’s book
“The Christian in Complete Armour,” and many other Puritan works, these devotionals contain priceless spiritual truths and gems on every page.
While the book isn’t intended to provide templates for prayer, the devotions are a guide to how we should pray. It is filled with authentic examples of spiritual exercises. Buying this book was almost an afterthought but I’m glad I did. Along with the Psalms, it has become part of my devotional reading.
As the lady said, The Valley of Vision is, indeed, a “heavy book.” It is also a glorious book!
Every Christian should own a copy.
Contents
1) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
2) Redemption and Reconciliation
3) Penitence and Deprecation
4) Needs and Devotions
5) Holy Aspirations
6) Approach to God
7) Gifts of Grace
8) Service and Ministry
9) Valediction
10) A Week’s Shared Prayers
Bibliography
Purchase The Valley of Vision !
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The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
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