The Pastor in his Closet/A Prayer for Grace
A PRAYER FOR GRACE.
O Thou who makest souls to shine
With light from lighter worlds above,
And droppest glistering dew divine
On all who seek a Saviour's love,—
Do Thou Thy benediction give
On all who teach, on all who learn,
That all Thy Church may holier live,
And every lamp more brightly burn.
Give those that teach pure hearts and wise,
Faith, hope, and love, all warm'd by prayer;
Themselves first training for the skies,
They best will raise their people there.
Give those that learn the willing ear,
Meek spirit, guileless mind;
Such gifts will make the meanest here,
Far better than a kingdom find.
O bless the shepherd! bless the sheep!
That guide and guided both be one;
One in the faithful watch they keep,
Until this hurrying life be gone.
If thus, good Lord, Thy grace be given,
Our glory meets us ere we die;
Before we upward pass to heaven
We taste our immortality.
PRINTED BY JAMES PARKER AND CO., CROWN-YARD, OXFORD.