A Prayer for Power on the Means of Grace

I

Thou at whose almighty word
The glorious light from darkness sprung!
Thy quick’ning influence afford,
And clothe with power the preacher’s tongue.

II

Though ’tis thy truth he hopes to speak,
He cannot give the hearing ear;
’Tis thine, the stubborn heart to break,
And make the careless sinner fear.

III

As when, of old, the water flow’d
Forth from the rock at thy command;
Moses in vain had waved his rod
Without thy wonder-working hand.

IV

As when the walls of Jericho
Down to the earth at once were cast;
It was thy power that brought them low,
And not the trumpet’s feeble blast.

V

Thus we would in the means be found,
And thus on thee alone depend;
To make the gospel’s joyful sound
Effectual to the promised end.

VI

Now, while we hear thy word of grace.
Let self and pride before it fall;
And rocky hearts dissolve apace,
In streams of sorrow at thy call.

VII

On all our youth assembled here
The unction of thy Spirit pour;
Nor let them lose another year,
Lest thou shouldst strive and call no more.