A Puritan Prayer

"O God of Grace,
Thou hast imputed my sin to my Substitute,
and hast imputed His righteousness to my soul,
clothing me with a bridegroom's robe,
decking me with jewels of holiness...

I have no robe to bring to cover my sins,
no loom to weave my own righteousness;
I am always standing clothed in filthy garments,
and by grace am always receiving
change of raiment...

I am always going into the far country,
and always returning home as a prodigal,
always saying, Father, forgive me,
and Thou art always bringing forth
the best robe.

Every morning let me wear it,
every evening return in it,
go out to the day's work in it,
be married in it,
be wound in death in it,
stand before the great white throne in it,
enter heaven in it shining as the sun."

- From "Continual Repentance," in "The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions," edited by Arthur Bennett, c1975 The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Carlisle, PA.