A Prayer of the Preacher
By Johnny Mays - Received January 28,1999

1. Oh Lord how my soul languishes to discover Thy glory, My heart complains for thy presence.
2. In the hush of the night although upon my bed I cannot sleep. For my considerations are upon thee. Shall I tarry? I composed my heart, for it is the voice of the Lord which I aspire to hear.
3. While my mind is quiet, speak again unto thy servant Lord. Or else how can my life hold any meaning if you will not speak unto me your hidden will.
4. O Lord can there be any depth to me, if I know thee not, Can I be filled to satisfaction with the bread of this life only? I know I cannot.
5. You have come to me in days gone by and spoke to thy servant. You have gone before me in the Spirit of thy Son and directed my steps.
6. Send again Your Living Word before this worm who calls upon Thee. For only by thy grace may I dare come before Thee to beseech Thee. You solely are my portion. You exclusively hold the vision for what I embody.
7. It was just a night ago, when I awoke by the fear of Thy Presence. I fathomed you had come to me, for surely I have perceived my death which is suspended before me.
8. Calm my fear that I might not be afraid to go forth beyond this veil.
9. I know you are the resurrection. You embrace my life.
10. For David Thy servant hath declared Thy word. You are the peace in the valley and I will not fear when I walk through the valley of death.
11. Command me by thy grace and appropriate the courage for me to lay my life before Thee. I can only endure to live this life because you sustain me.
12. Oh God of the Faithful, my prayer is for Thy Word to search me, allow nothing within me to prohibit your visitation. I know you will appear when my eye’s are fixed on Thee.
13. Shall I wait on those who do not thirst for Thee? Shall I not go on to desire your presence? As the Savior has taught, leave even thine whole household.
14. I will come to Thee, but my desire for them, is that they too would follow you, a desire I cannot hide from Thee. Nevertheless in all that I do I will not hesitate when Thy voice beckons me.
15. I cannot determine Thy will unless you answer this petition I bring before Thee, Yea my heart will bewitch me and my enemies will betray me, unless the light of your truth penetrates the darkness around about me. Permit this beggar and ascend me before Thy countenance.
16. Silver and gold I do not desire, Neither the praise of men. For when I approach Thee I will understand my heart and I will be favored.
17. Except that I walk in the light of thy presence. Accept You anoint me with Thy glory and presence, I can . . . neither live nor serve Thee.
18. O Lord, hear the prayers of the poor in spirit, You hear the call of this penitent servant. You draw near to those who draw near to Thee. I petition Thee to bring me into Thy presence. I want only Thee.
19. Shall the peoples of the earth know Thy will? Shall they hear of Thy great counsel? Shall they eat of the manna from heaven?
20. The peoples of the earth linger yet only with the vilest of faith. Most, are trusting in the arm of the flesh and the vain traditions of their fathers.
21. They know Thee not, I understand their plight, for I too came from among them.
22. They speak of things which are divine, but their words are shrouded in mystery. For they look through blinded eyes’.
23. They speak as those, drunken by the vanity of their fleshly hearts, yet they boast of a wisdom which they allege comes from Thee.
24. I repent O God, for I have made such boasts as they. Whereas now I understand that I knew only of Thy reputation.
25. Except by Thy grace I would not know the only true God, and by Thy grace I remained.
26. How can I know the Lord if Thy Presence is not with me. I determine to be known of Thee, as the Prophets of old whom Thou called, who sojourned before Thee in Thy Glory, so shall I not also walk with Thee O Lord?
27. Have I not a better covenant than they? The sacrifice made for me has cast away my great sin from Thee. This Body of The Lamb which you prepared for me has taken away my great depravities.
28. The Blood of Christ covers me. He is my propitiation. This I declare as Thy Word has said, the Just will live by faith.
29. It is by Your own Word’s I will come before Thee O Lord,
For you have justified me, through the blood of Thy Son. So by this only I can speak so boldly, while my heart trembles.
30. The world cannot know the Only True God unless Thy Presence is manifest in Thy Prophet’s Word’s. Only by your Spirit will the peoples of the earth know how to be sober.
31. When before them a man of God arrayed in Thy Presence will declare Thy Glories. Then only will the preaching of Thy Word become Life to the dead.
32. How can the peoples of earth know your Works and how can Your Prophets minister, if Your works are not manifested in your servants? Is there not a servant worthy of thy ministry?
33. Then slay the Sons of God, kill them all! Then cause the rocks to cry out and bring forth Your Glory in them. 34. Yet have mercy O God, and revive the Prophetic Voice,
Consent to the Works of Thy servants that they may be renown.
35. Draw them unto thyself, then they will perish from this mortality and live in Thee. Then they will not long for drunkenness of their vanity.
36. I see that unless Your Servants, walk in Your Glory,
only then can they speak from Your lofty place, when they leave the works of their hands.
37. Then Your Spirit quickens their ears to hear from Thy council. Then Your ministers will prefer Thy works which you will show them.
38. I cannot bring forth a harvest worthy of Your great name, without you Lord. Please, remain with me in the labor.
39. While I yet remain at the threshold of Thy glory. I will shout beyond the chasm I see before me. I will bid Thee to stand before me the Open Door.
40. When you then lay before me the Key of David, I will open the Everlasting Portals and I will come forth unto Thee. I prepare myself for your Presence O Lord,
41. I know my heart cannot behold thee, without your holiness. So I dress myself in Him for whom You have given all things.
42. I speak of Him, Thy Beloved, whom thou loves and has lifted up. For it is by the Righteousness in Him by which I come before Thee to speak.
43. Now I say it is by His Name I petition Thee. To open Thy mouth, speak Thy Word, and bid me come.
44. Let me walk upon the expanse that separates us; then I will cross the sea of the great void so that I might touch Thy Presence.
45. Then I will behold all that You have for me there and I will abide as Your servant forever O Lord.