Prayer for a Blessing

I

Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal,
  And make thy glory known;
Now let us all thy presence feel,
  And soften hearts of stone!

II

Help us to venture near thy throne,
  And plead a Saviour’s name;
For all that we can call our own
  Is vanity and shame.

III

From all the guilt of former sin
  May mercy set us free;
And let the year we now begin
  Begin and end with thee.

IV

Send down thy Spirit from above,
  That saints may love thee more;
And sinners now may learn to love
  Who never loved before.

V

And when before thee we appear,
  In our eternal home,
May growing numbers worship here,
  And praise thee in our room.