When my head hits the pillow, it's lights out. But perhaps before nodding off, some more intentionality might be in order. Certainly Jeremy Taylor thought so.
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December 13, 2010
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) was a key figure in the Church of England, until deposed for a 15 year period while the Puritans under Cromwell enjoyed running things.
Those years, however, became very productive in terms of writing. Odd how God has a way of doing that! Just ask John Bunyan with his Pilgrim's Progress written while in Newgate prison, or the Apostle Paul with the book of Philippians , or John on the isle of Patmos writing Revelation.
Holy Living and Holy Dying were written in those years of Taylor's exile. And in Holy Living, some prayers are included to pray at the end of the day.
Given our media-driven lifestyle, we often go to bed with the days news still reverberating in our ears, or, having just signed off of Facebook after a couple of hours of "friend-snooping," our minds are filled with the mundane of a Starbucks run or other innocuous tidbits.
Jeremy Taylor provides us with a prayer that puts the essence of our lives forefront as we close out the day. It places eternity at the forefront, where it belongs.
Into thy hands, most blessed Jesu, I comment my soul and body, for htou hast redeemed both with thy precious blood. So bless and sanctify my sleep unto me, that if may be temperate, holy, and safe, a refreshment to my wearied body, to enable it so to serve my soul, that both may serve thee with a never-failing duty.
O let me never sleep in sin or death eternal, but give me a watchful and prudent spirit, that I may omit no opportunity of serving thee; that whether I sleep or wake, live or die, I may be thy servant and thy child: that when the work of my life is done, I may rest in the bosom of my Lord, till by the voice of the archangel, the trump of God, I shall be awakened, and called to sit down and feast in the eternal supper of the Lamb.
Grant this, O Lamb of God, for the honor of thy mercies, and the glory of thy name, O most merciful Savior and Redeemer Jesus. Amen.
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