378.
[Father! who dost always hear]
“Men ought always to Pray.”
Luke xviii. 1.
1
Father! who dost always hear,
At thy awful throne we bow;
May our hearts delight in prayer,
Love it more, and love it now!
2
Children, to their sires apply,
When they want the favour given;
We, to thee, our Father, cry,
Thee, our Sire, who art in heaven!
3
Oft we pray that that might be,
Which, if wiser, we should shun;
Let us, when we come to thee,
Say, O Lord! thy will be done!
4
Dost thou always hear our prayer?
O, that we could always pray!
On our hearts petitions bear,
More by night, and more by day!
5
For inferior things we sigh,
Earnest watch, and patient wait;
Let us seek the things on high,
With an ardour, half as great!
6
Thoughts, acceptance find with thee,
The sincere, but silent, prayer;
Thou the inmost heart dost see,
And each strong aspiring there!
7
Grant thy Spirit, O, Most High!
To assist us, and, the more,
Since, (with hours so fast that fly,)
Praying time will soon be o'er!
