Poetry and Prayers

My friend loaned me a book the other day that I've enjoyed reading this week. While The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions isn't a book of poetry, its beautifully lyrical prayers remind me of poems and have been a joy to read.

One of my favorites today is Love Lustres at Calvary
My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affection, open my lips,
     supply words that proclaim 'Love lustres at Calvary.'
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,
     made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified,
     and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
     and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
          cast off that I might be brought in,
          trodden down as an enemy
               that I might be welcomed as a friend,
          surrendered to hell's worst
               that I might attain heaven's best,
          stripped that I might be clothes,
          wounded that I might be healed,
          athirst that I might drink,
          tormented that I might be comforted,
          made a shame that I might inherit glory,
          entered darkness that I might have eternal light
My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
          groaned that I might have endless song,
          endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
          bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
          bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
          experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
          closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
          expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life,
Oh that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
     my every step buoyant with delight, as I see
          my enemies crushed,
          Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
          sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
          hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
     might to subdue, comfort and save.