help me...

O Lord,

I marvel that thou shouldst become incarnate, 

     be crucified, dead, and buried.

The sepulchre calls forth my adoring wonder,

     for it is empty and thou art risen;

     the four-fold gospel attests to it,

     the living witnesses prove it,

     my heart's experience knows it.

Give me to die with thee that I may rise to new life,

     for I wish to be dead and buried

          to sin, to selfishness, to the world...

O, Lord, there is much ill about me -- crucify it,

     much flesh within me -- mortify it.

Purge from me selfishness...

Let me reckon my old life dead

          because of crucifixion,

     and never feed it as a living thing...

Help me to be resolute and Christ-contained.

Never let me wander from the path of obedience

     to thy will.

Strengthen me for the battles ahead.

Give me courage for all the trials,

     and grace for all the joys.

Help me to be a happy, holy person,

     free from every wrong desire,

     from everything contrary to thy mind.

Grant me more and more of the resurrection life;

     may it rule over me,

     may I walk in its power,

     and be strengthened through its influence.

               Valley of Vision, "Crucifixion and Resurrection", pg 172