Almighty God, in humble prayer,
To Thee our souls we lift,
Do Thou our waiting minds prepare
For Thy most needful gift.

We ask not golden streams of wealth
Along our path to flow;
We ask not undecaying health,
Nor length of years below.

We ask not honors, which an hour
May bring and take away;
We ask not pleasure, pomp and power,
Lest we should go astray.

We ask for wisdom—Lord, impart
The knowledge how to live;
A wise and understanding heart
To all before Thee give.

For we, as children, born in sin,
Know not, till Thou has taught,
How to go out, or how come in,
By word, or deed, or thought.

The young remember Thee in youth,
Before the evil days!
The old be guided by Thy truth
In wisdom’s pleasant ways!