There is an old Puritan Prayer Book I own called The Valley of Vision (a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions) which I bought from a second-hand bookshop when I attended Theological College. There are a handful of prayers I run back to, but my favourite speaks of the paradox of life. It’s a great read—nice and short but powerful.

The Valley Of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
Where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
Hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox:
That the way down is the way up;
That to be low is to be high;
That the broken heart is the healed heart;
That the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit;
That the repenting soul is the victorious soul;
That to have nothing is to possess all;
That to bear the cross is to wear the crown;
That to give is to receive;
That the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
And the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness;
Thy life in my death;
Thy joy in my sorrow;
Thy grace in my sin;
Thy riches in my poverty;
Thy glory in my valley.
Amen.