Be Thou My Vision
Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 1
This year I’m changing from my usual “prayer guide” format to a prayerful and reflective devotional format on some of my favorite hymns. I hope you enjoy them and that they bless you. Happy New Year!
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, you are the Lord of our lives. I confess that all too often I resist obeying and following you and resist the change you desire. I’m grateful for your patience with me and for the wonderful news of your Gospel. Move me, by the power of your Spirit, to pursue you for all I’m worth, for surely in that pursuit I will also find myself becoming more like you. Help me to find Christians who also seek to walk with you and please help us to build up and pray for one another. Enable me to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, encourage others to do the same, and bring glory to your name. In Christ I pray. Amen.
Be Thou My Vision
Eleanor H. Hull
Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Riches I heed not, not man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Amen.
Key Principles from this Hymn
The hymn emphasizes the supremacy of God in the believer’s life. The phrase “Be thou my Vision” conveys a longing for God to be the center of every aspect of life, surpassing all other desires and distractions. This principle teaches us to prioritize God above all else, seeking his guidance, presence, and will in every moment.
By asking God to be our Wisdom and True Word, the hymn underscores the importance of relying on God for discernment and understanding. This principle reminds us to turn to God’s Word for guidance and to seek his wisdom in decision-making, rather than relying solely on human understanding or worldly knowledge.
The hymn encourages a shift in focus from temporal to eternal values. By declaring God as the true treasure and inheritance, it highlights the transient nature of earthly riches and acclaim. This principle prompts believers to set their hearts on heavenly treasures and find their ultimate satisfaction and identity in God alone.
Questions for Personal Reflection and Discussion
1. What does it mean for God to be our ultimate Vision in life? How can we practically make him the focus of our daily activities and decisions?
2. How does the concept of God as our Wisdom and True Word influence the way we approach challenges and seek guidance in our lives?
3. In what ways do we prioritize earthly riches and human approval over our relationship with God? How can we shift our focus to treasure God above all else?
4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the presence of God as your light in the midst of darkness or uncertainty.
5. How does acknowledging God as the High King of Heaven impact our understanding of victory and joy in this life?
6. What does it mean for God to be the “Heart of our own heart”? How does this truth shape our response to life’s trials and blessings?
7. How can we cultivate a mindset of eternal perspective and invest in heavenly treasures rather than earthly pursuits?
Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
1. Matthew 6:19-21 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
3. Colossians 3:1-2 – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
4. Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
5. James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Action Steps
1. Start each day with a prayer, asking God to be the center of your thoughts, decisions, and desires.
2. Commit to studying God’s Word daily to gain his wisdom and guidance for your life’s journey.
3. Evaluate your priorities and possessions, intentionally redirecting your focus towards heavenly treasures and investing in eternal significance rather than temporal pursuits.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your promises. You promise you will never leave us nor forsake us. You will help us fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. We know that were we to go one day without your sovereign grace and strength undergirding us, we would fail miserably. And so, O Lord, we give you our deepest thanks. You have promised that there is a crown of righteousness awaiting us for seeking you in this life and desiring your appearance. This is not something you owe us, but another expression of your grace in our lives. O Lord, for this and more, we give you, our thanks. In Christ we pray, Amen.
Prayer Prompts
Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.
Petitions – prayers for yourself
Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word.
Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me.
Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life.
This week’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned.
Other needs
Intercession – prayers for others
My family
My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries
Those struggling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs.
Other needs
Quotation from Church History
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
(Saint Patrick)