Prayer for a Constant Sense of God's Presence

by Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769)

O God our heavenly Father, renew in us the sense of Thy gracious Presence, and let it be a constant impulse within us to peace, trustfulness, and courage on our pilgrimage. Let us hold Thee fast with a loving and adoring heart, and let our affections be fixed on Thee, that so the unbroken communion of our hearts with Thee may accompany us whatsoever we do, through life and in death. Teach us to pray heartily; to listen for Thy voice within, and never to stifle its warnings. Behold, we bring our poor hearts as a sacrifice unto Thee; come and fill Thy sanctuary, and suffer nought impure to enter there. O Thou who art Love, let Thy Divine Spirit flow like a river through our whole souls, and lead us in the right way till we pass into the Land of Promise; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

From A Book of Reformed Prayers.

This is part of what makes me crotchety--there are some kids growing up now who will never hear prayers like this. They will never read words that were uttered centuries ago.