In the last couple of weeks, we’ve published a few pieces focusing on similar themes of finding fulfillment and contentment at work in any circumstance, be it good, bad, or boring.

So when I came across “A Disciple’s Renewal,” a prayer in The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, it struck me as appropriate to share today, given its focus on renewal amid trying circumstances, “wasted hours,” and “unspent opportunities.”

O MY SAVIOUR,

Help me.

I am so slow to learn, so prone to forget, so weak to climb;

I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights; I am pained by my graceless heart, my prayerless days, my poverty of love, my sloth in the heavenly race, my sullied conscience, my wasted hours, my unspent opportunities.

I am blind while light shines around me: take the scales from my eyes, grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.

Make it my chiefest joy to study thee, meditate on thee, gaze on thee, sit like Mary at thy feet, lean like John on thy breast, appeal like Peter to thy love, count like Paul all things dung.

Give me increase and progress in grace so that there may be more decision in my character, more vigour in my purposes, more elevation in my life, more fervour in my devotion, more constancy in my zeal.

As I have a position in the world, keep me from making the world my position; May I never seek in the creature what can only be found in the Creator; Let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight.

Ride forth in me, thou King of kings and Lord of lords, that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end.

May the King of kings and Lord of lords ride forth in us indeed as we pursue our vocations.