O GOD, we raise our hearts to Thee,
Who sendest from on high
Thy showers, to make both herb and tree
Bring forth abundantly.
Thy blessing on the earth bestow,
Send timely sun and rain;
That they who plough, and they who sow,
May not have wrought in vain!
The earth, O Lord, is one great field,
Where rests immortal seed:
The crop prepar'd its fruit to yield,
The labourers few indeed!
Therefore we come before Thee now,
In earnest, humble prayer,
Beseeching of Thy love that Thou
Would'st send more labourers there.
Not for our land alone we pray,
Though that above the rest;
The realms and islands far away,
Oh, let them all be blest!
LORD, pour Thy Spirit from on high,
And Thine ordained servants bless;
Graces and gifts to each supply,
And clothe Thy priests with righteousnes
Within Thy temple when they stand
To teach the truth as taught by Thee,
Like those upheld by Thy right hand,
Let all Thy Church's pastors be.
Wisdom, and zeal, and love impart,
Firmness, and meekness, from above,
To bear Thy people on their heart,
And love the souls whom Thou dost love.
To watch and pray, and never faint,
By day and night their guard to keep,
To warn the sinner, cheer the saint,
To feed Thy lambs, and tend Thy sheep.
And, when their work is finish'd here,
May they in hope their charge resign;
And when their Master shall appear,
May they with crowns of glory shine.
O KING of kings, O Prince of peace,
Bid strife among Thy subjects cease;
One is our Father, One our Lord,
One body, spirit, hope, reward:
One God and Father of us all,
On Whom Thy Church and people call;
Oh, may we one in concord be,
One with each other, one with Thee.
Bless those whose voice salvation brings,
Who minister in holy things;
Thy bishops, priests, and deacons bless,
Clothe them with zeal and righteousness.
Let many in the judgment day,
Turn'd from the error of their way,
Their hope, their joy, their crown appear;
Save those who preach, and those who hear.
FATHER, Thou Whose love and care
All Thy wondrous works declare,
Ever blessed One and Three,
Hear our plaintive cry to Thee.
Joy and grief to Thee we bring,
Mourning while Thy praise we sing;
Hear, and banish from our hearts
All that from Thy favour parts.
Feeble, Lord, are we, and faint;
Purge us from sin's with'ring taint ;
Sloth and self-indulgence vile,
Let them not our souls defile.
Lord, on us Thy blessings shower,
In this solemn fasting hour,
Blessings from Thy throne above,
Fount of pity, Fount of love.
LORD Almighty, God of nations,
From Thy temple in the skies,
Hear Thy people's supplications,
Now for their protection rise.
Lo! with deep contrition turning,
Humbly at Thy feet we bend;
Hear us praying, fasting, mourning,
Hear us, spare us, and defend.
Though our sins, our hearts confounding,
Long and loud for vengeance call,
Thou hast mercy more abounding,
Jesu's blood can cleanse from all.
Let that love hide our transgression,
O'er us stretch Thy saving hand,
Save Thy people from oppression;
Send Thy blessings on our land.
SAVIOR, Who Thy flock art feeding
With the Shepherd's kindest care,
All the feeble gently leading,
While the lambs Thy bosom share.
Now, these little ones receiving,
Fold them in Thy gracious arm;
There, we know, Thy love believing,
Only there, secure from harm.
Keep them safe from ever roving,
Let them not be Satan's prey;
Let Thy watchful care so loving
Keep them thro' life's dang'rous way.
Then within Thy fold in heaven,
Let them find their rest above;
Feed in pastures by Thee given,
Drink the rivers of Thy love.
O HOLY Lord, content to dwell
In home so poor, a lowly child,
With meek obedience noting well
Each mandate of Thy mother mild.
Lead every child that bears Thy Name,
To walk in Thy pure upright way,
To shun the paths of sin and shame,
And humbly, like Thyself, obey.
Let not this world's unhallow'd glow
The bright baptismal dew efface,
Nor blast of sin so roughly blow
To quench the trembling flame of grace.
Gather Thy lambs within Thine arm,
And gently in Thy bosom bear,
Protect them still from hurt and harm,
And bid them rest for ever there.
COME, gracious Spirit! heavenly Dove!
With light and comfort from above;
Be Thou our Guardian, Thou our Guide;
O'er every thought and step preside.
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