Now before Thee, Lord, we gather
To receive Thy precious Word;
Let Thy grace in showers, O Fa­ther,
On our parchèd hearts be poured.
Send Thy Ho­ly Spir­it o’er us,
With Thy quick’ning fire restore us,
At Thy table spread before us
Fill our hung’ring souls, dear Lord.

May Thy Word, to us now given,
Be retained in hearts contrite;
On the narrow way to Hea­ven
Lead us in Thy perfect light.
Hush, within us, all commotion,
Silence each disturbing notion;
May we, Lord, with true devotion
Use this hour of grace aright.

Of the time may we avail us,
When to seek us Thou art near;
Soon the day of grace may fail us,
And no message more we hear.
Turn our minds to meditation
On our need of Thy sal­va­tion;
Urge on all Thine invitation—
To our prayer incline Thine ear.