All-knowing Father, no sin is more apt to insinuate itself into my heart and duties as that of hypocrisy. I, of all men, am most in danger to be deceived by it: for my employment lying in, and about spiritual things, I am, on that account, styled a spiritual man. But from Hosea 9:7 (The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad,) it is plain that a man may be objectively a spiritual, and all the while subjectively a carnal man. Believe it, my soul, it is easier to declaim, like an orator, against a thousand sins of others, than it is to mortify one sin, like a Christian, in myself; to be more industrious in my pulpit than in my closet; to preach twenty sermons to my people, than one to my own heart.
 

O Lord, Drive it home to my soul that all my reading, studying and preaching is but trifling hypocrisy, till the things read, studied and preached be felt in some degree upon my own heart.
 

O Great Servant King, you alone are fully aware of how the labours of the ministry will exhaust the very marrow from your bones hasten old age and death … keep me watching while others sleep.
 

Lord, it is not with me as it is with other labourers; they find their work as they leave it, so do not I. Sin and Satan unravel almost all I do, the impressions I make on my people’s souls in one sermon, vanish before the next. Establish the work of your hands!
 

Sustaining Lord, you know that I must fight in defence of the truths I preach, as well as study them to paleness and preach them into faintness; but teach me that well-spent head, heart, lungs and all; welcome pained breasts, aching backs, and trembling legs; if I can by all but approve myself Christ’s faithful servant and hear that joyful voice from His mouth, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.
 

Lord, grant me happiness as long as you are in heaven. Grant me constancy as long as I am on earth.
 

Ever-seeing God, in Revelation 4:6, 7, a stately emblem of true gospel ministry is presented as men who are full of eyes. Give me eyes looking before me to you for direction; behind me to the flock I lead; and within me to my own heart; lest after I have preached to others, I am become a castaway.
 

God of the mind, remind me that except I have a knowing people, I am not like to have a gracious people. Convince me that I can never pitch upon a better project, to promote and secure the success of my labours, than catechizing and Bible Study.
 

Lord, give me prudence, so that I may study the souls of my people more than the best human books in my library; and not choose what is easiest for me, but what is most necessary for them. Help me to know that my people’s wants are to choose the text.
 

Lord, give me a crucified style, for that best suits the preacher of a crucified Christ. Lord, give me the prudence that chooses solid words, rather than florid words. May I cast away a thousand fine words, for one that is apt to penetrate the conscience and reach the heart.
 

Lord, show me of what great use are my own affections for the moving of others; advise me that as ever I may expect the truths I preach to operate on the hearts of others, I must first labour to work them in upon my own heart.
 

Lord of Word, may it be that my sermons are the best they can be because they are obtained by prayer. Prudent Lord, give me both the smiles and souls of men. Lord, help me to frugally and industriously husband my time and talents for Christ. Lord, if by any reason I cannot preach the doctrine of faith, help me to live the life of faith.
 

Wise God, teach me that all my study and prayer, my spending and being spent in the service of such a beautiful Master is worthwhile. Is it not worth all my labours and sufferings to come with all the souls I have instrumentally begat to Christ; and all that I edified, reduced, confirmed and comforted in the way to heaven; and say, Lord, here am I, and the children you have given me? To hear one spiritual child say, Lord, this is the minister by whom I believed: another, this is he, by whom I was edified, established and comforted. This is the man that resolved my doubts, quickened my dying affections, reduced my soul, when wandering from the truth! O blessed be your name, that I ever saw his face, and heard his voice! But far beyond this; give me a vision of what it will be to hear Christ, that prince of pastors say to me in that day, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter now into the joy of the Lord”. Hear my soul, I serve a good Master who is not unrighteous to forget my work, and labour of love for His name-sake. You keep an exact account of my fervent prayers, of all my instructive and persuasive sermons; and all my sighs, groans, and pantings, with every tear and drop of sweat, and place them like marginal notes against my labours in your book, in order to a full reward.”