The Valley of Vision

Lord, High and Holy, meek and lowly,
thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

• that the way down is the way up,
• that to be low is to be high,
• that the broken heart is the healed heart,
• that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
• that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
• that to have nothing is to possess all,
• that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
• that to give is to receive,
• that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

• thy life in my death,
• thy joy in my sorrow,
• thy grace in my sin,
• thy riches in my poverty,
• thy glory in my valley.

--from The Valley of Vision:  A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions