Enlarge My Heart
from The Valley of Vision by Banner of Truth
*some language lightly updated
Dear Friend,
We encourage you to take a moment to read this stirring prayer. We believe you will be glad you did so.
originally titled:
“Love Lustres at Calvary”
Lustre (or luster) refers to how light interacts
with an object, such as a gemstone.
“My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips, give me words that proclaim,
‘Your Love Lusters [or, is Reflected Exquisitely] at Calvary.’
There, grace removes my burdens and heaps them on your Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
there, the sword of justice smote the man, your fellow, [Jesus].
There, your infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made;
There, infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I may be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
thirsty that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have a glory-crown,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might ever live.
O Father, who spared not your only Son that you could spare me,
All this transfer of love you designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore you with my lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step buoyant with delight,
as I see my enemies crushed,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell’s gates closed,
heaven’s portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me The cross,
mighty to subdue, comfort, and save.”
source information:
The Valley of Vision
The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions published by Banner of Truth and edited by Arthur Bennett.
Arthur Bennett (born 1915–1994) converted to Christ as a teenager at a Salvation Army mission. He joined the caravan evangelism movement, traveling across Britain in a horse-drawn vehicle. In 1940, he was accepted to Clifton Theological College and was later ordained in the Church of England. The Valley of Vision is his most well-known book.
