I've written before of my great indebtedness to John Baillie (1886-1960) and his little book, A Diary of Private Prayer. In addition to wanting to incorporate the components of William Temple's definition of "worship" into my life, I want to follow John Baillie's prayer for God's help and direction each day:
"Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my will's most inward citadel and order all my doings."
This prayer (from Day 21) is similar to Baillie's prayer for Day 9:
"Dear Father, take this day's life into Thine own keeping. Control all my thoughts and feelings. Direct all my energies. Instruct my mind. Sustain my will. Take my hands and make them skilful to serve Thee. Take my feet and make them swift to do Thy bidding. Take my eyes and keep them fixed upon Thine everlasting beauty. Take my mouth and make it eloquent in testimony to Thy love. Make this day a day of obedience, a day of spiritual joy and peace. Make this day's work a little part of the work of the Kingdom of my Lord Christ, in whose name these my prayers are said. Amen."
I much prefer the hardback copy of this book which one can sometimes find in used bookstores. First published in 1937, it has gone through more than 20 translations. I purchased my (used) copy back in June of 1974. I know the date because I always write on the first page of every book the date I acquire it. I have used it off and on throughout the years. From time to time I have mentioned to others that this little book (or one like it), would be invaluable for "discipling" new believers. Why? Because these are the prayers of a mature, instructed Christian. (Baillie was professor of divinity at Edinburgh University from 1934 to 1956). Most of us need help in identifying and articulating our aspirations (which Baillie in the above prayers does so well), plus we need help incorporating awareness in our prayers of the wider world beyond ourselves. Baillie, a master of the English language, provides wonderful tutoring.
Others appreciate John Baillie, also. The ethicist Gilbert Meilaender says in his Letters to Ellen that Baillie incorporates "a wider scope of needs and concerns than would naturally occur to me." Another writes, "Adoration, meditation, and intercession are mingled with a strong sense of the social needs of the world." A contemporary theologian wrote, “John Baillie models for me the integration of theology and prayer. A rich devotional life stood at the center of his fine academic work. More than balance, what he achieved was integration." Well said.
Here are a few more jottings:
Day 1 - “... be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful. Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit’s welfare. Be my Strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
Day 17 - “O God within me, give me grace today to recognize the stirrings of Thy Spirit within my soul and to listen most attentively to all that Thou hast to say to me. Let not the noises of the world ever so confuse me that I cannot hear Thee speak.”
Day 21 - (On reading books) “Leave me not, O gracious Presence, in such hours as I may to-day devote to the reading of books or of newspapers. Guide my mind to choose the right books and, having chosen them, to read them in the right way. When I read for profit, grant that all I read my lead me nearer to Thyself. When I read for recreation, grant that what I read may not lead me away from Thee. Let all my reading so refresh my mind that I may the more eagerly seek after whatsoever things are pure and fair and true.”