John Baillie - A Diary of Private Prayer

Praise for Susanna Wrights new edition of John Baillies A Diary of Private Prayer

This new edition of John Baillies classic is a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to go deeper in their prayer life. I recommend this new edition to all who wish to see their daily prayer life expanded and blessed.

Mark Batterson , New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker

The adjective venerable ought to be reserved for those classics that have stood the test of generations. John Baillies A Diary of Private Prayer has surely earned this title. This classic of Christian spirituality has been in constant use since its publication in 1936. Thousands of men and women have found comfort, wisdom, and challenge in Baillies prayers, rendered utterly without pretense. My own dog-eared copy of the Diary has been a companion since college days. But even the most ardent fan of this classic has longed for an edition that speaks with a fresh, contemporary voice, precisely the voice Baillie employed in his own time. We can be grateful to Susanna Wright for the respect with which she has handled Baillies prayers and the reverence with which she ushers us into the presence of God. If it is ever proper to speak of a new classicand one surely should do so only with great careit is possible to speak of Wrights new edition of John Baillies Diary .

Michael Jinkins , president and professor of theology, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Since its initial publication... A Diary of Private Prayer has become established as a modern spiritual classic. Now translated into several languages, it has become the bestselling work of any Scottish theologian. The Diary s breadth of subject matter, felicity of language, and simple piety have impressed its many readers at different times and in diverse circumstances. This updated edition admirably preserves all these qualities while ensuring that John Baillies Diary will continue to be accessible to another generation.

David Fergusson , professor of divinity and principal of New College, University of Edinburgh

A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie sold over a million copies and blessed many Christians over the last century. This contemporary version will open it up to a new generation and will be a great aid to prayer for those starting out on their prayer lives, as well as to long-standing Christians.

Nicky Gumbel , author, founder of Alpha International, and vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, London

When this book was first published almost one hundred years ago, it was quickly recognized as a classic of devotional writing, and Im delighted that Susanna Wright is now making it available and accessible to a new generation of readers seeking resources to help them grow in prayer.

Pete Greig , author of God on Mute and founder of 24-7 Prayer

Prayer is the language of faith. Like any other language, the best way to learn it is to listen to native speakers and practice. In this book, the beginner will find ideas, words, and patterns that will help to guide and grow their own prayer lifeand those who have been praying for longer will find fresh inspiration. But most importantly, all who use this book will draw closer to the God who came to speak to us in our language so that we may learn His.

Jane Williams , theologian, author, and wife of former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

Susanna Wright has done contemporary Christians a great service by making John Baillies classic available and accessible to a new generation. The prayers in this book will deepen, enrich, and transform anyone who prays them seriously.

Rev. Dr. Graham Tomlin , dean of St. Mellitus College, London, and author of The Provocative Church

For

I A N

Preface

F or almost a century, John Baillies extraordinary classic A Diary of Private Prayer has aided and inspired many readers into a deeper prayer walk with God. When I first discovered it, I was enthralled and challenged by the prayers, and it has since become a crucial resource for my prayer life.

I soon wanted to share this treasure with others, but found that the King James English style of the original seemed to prevent the prayers from being accessible for everyone. It is my hope that this new edition, composed in a more contemporary style, will open up the prayers for another generation, and that readers old and new alike may be blessed by the faithfulness and wisdom of John Baillie.

I am especially grateful to Baillies son, Ian, to whom A Diary of Private Prayer is dedicated, for his support and for choosing me to undertake the updating of this classic book before his death in 2008. I am also very grateful to the Baillie family for their support in this venture and for putting me in touch with the Rev. Dr. Robin Boyd, himself an experienced religious writer, who worked with me on the project. Dr. Boyd was a student of John Baillie at New College, Edinburgh, and years later became a friend of Ian Baillie. Without his contributions of scholarly insight, wisdom, and patience, this new edition would not have been possible.

Susanna Wright

Authors Note

H ere are prayers for all the mornings and evenings of the months; and at the end of the book two prayers which, when any day falls on a Sunday, may be substituted for the others or else added to them. These prayers are to be regarded as aids; they are not intended to form the whole of the mornings or evenings devotions or to take the place of more individual prayers for oneself and others. On the blank left-hand pages such further petitions and intercessions may be noted down.

The prayers are suited to private use, not to the liturgical use of public worship.

John Baillie

FIRST DAY MORNING

E TERNAL Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of you, let my first impulse be to worship you, let my first word be your Name, let my first action be to kneel before you in prayer.

For your perfect wisdom and perfect goodness;

For the love you have for all people;

For the love you have for me;

For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life;

For your Spirit, who dwells in my heart;

For the seven gifts of your Spirit;

I praise and worship you, O Lord.

Yet when this morning prayer is finished, do not let me think that my worship is ended and spend the rest of the day forgetting you. Rather, from these quiet moments, let light and joy and power pour out and remain with me through every hour of this day.

May that light and joy and power:

Keep my thoughts pure;

Keep me gentle and truthful in all I say;

Keep me faithful and diligent in my work;

Keep me humble in my opinion of myself;

Keep me honorable and generous in my dealings with others;

Keep me loyal to every cherished memory of the past;

Keep me mindful of my eternal destiny as your child.

O God, you have been the refuge of your people through many generations; be my refuge in every moment and every need that I face today. Be my guide through all uncertainty and darkness. Be my guard against all that threatens my spiritual well-being. Be my strength in times of testing. Cheer my heart with your peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

FIRST DAY EVENING

O L ORD , you are from everlasting to everlasting; I turn my thoughts to you as the hours of darkness and of sleep begin. O Sun of my soul, I rejoice to know that all night I shall be under the watchful eye of the One who dwells in eternal light.