rampart

"O Thou whose love can be in the heart of man as a fire to burn up all that is shameful and evil, let me now lay hold upon Thy perfect righteousness and make it mine own. Blot out all my transgressions and let my sins be covered. Make me to feel Thine hand upon my life, cleansing me from the stain of past misdeeds, loosing me from the grip of evil habits, strengthening me in new habits of pure-heartedness, and guiding my footsteps in the way of eternal life. Lead me in battle, O God, against my secret sins. Fence round my life with a rampart of pure aspiration. And let Christ be formed in my heart through faith. All this I ask for His holy name's sake. Amen." ~from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie