From the days of Yesteryear

A DIARY OF PRIVATE PRAYER
John Baillie – 1936

The Scottish theologian, educator, and ecumenical leader John Baillie was born in Gairloch, Scotland, and educated at Edinburgh, Jena, and Marburg universities. He was brother to Donald MacPherson Baillie -- 1877–1954 --, whose YHVH Was in Moshiach – 1947 -- has been described as one of the most original treatments of Christology in modern theology. These two were keenly interested in the ecumenical movement, particularly its Faith and Order branch. Baillie served with the YMCA in World War I, after which he became professor of theology at Auburn Seminary, New York -- 1919–1927. He then taught at Emmanuel College, Toronto – 1927 to 1930 -- and Union Seminary, New York – 1930 to 1934. He occupied the chair of divinity at Edinburgh University, Scotland, until his retirement in 1956. But Baillie was more than an academic or theologian. During World War II he served the Church of Scotland as chairman of a commission appointed -- for the interpretation of the Will of YHVH in the present crisis. He was elected to the central committee of the World Council of Churches at its first assembly in 1948. Plus, Baillie wrote on many aspects of the Christian faith. His best known works are And the Life Everlasting -- 1934, The Sense of the Presence of YHVH and the devotional classic A Diary of Private Prayer --1936. The latter book has remained in print to this day with over one million books sold. A Diary of Private Prayer is a small prayer book composed of two daily prayers, morning and evening, for thirty-one days. The author’s note describes the book in this way:

Here 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 evening’s 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. Baillie’s prayers are wonderfully rich; they encompass much of the human heart and need; they address YHVH with an all-inclusive vision of the divine person. Founded on Scripture and theologically sound, each prayer is two hundred to three hundred words in length. The use of this small book provides a believer with eloquence he or she may not naturally possess. Bible quotations and lists give expression to one’s longing, hope, and need. YHVH’s Love, Moshiach’s Life, human shortcomings, and the needs of others are themes that are often repeated. Here is a portion of the morning prayer for the first day: Eternal Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of Thee, let my first impulse be to worship Thee, let my first speech be Thy Name, let my first action be to kneel before Thee in prayer.

For Thy perfect Wisdom and perfect Goodness:
For the Love wherewith Thou Lovest mankind:
For the Love wherewith Thou Lovest me:
For the Great and Mysterious opportunity of my life:
For the indwelling of Thy Spirit in my heart:
For the sevenfold Gifts of Thy Spirit:
I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.

This classic book of prayer and devotion is useful for a month or for consecutive months through the year. It enlarges the believer’s vocabulary of prayer, turns the mind to subjects that may be unattended, and enriches the understanding of the Power and Love of YHVH.