A PRAYER | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1858

A PRAYER.

AWAKE, Thou Spirit, who of old Did'st fire the watchmen of the Church's youth; Who faced the foe, unshrinking, bold, Who witnessed day and night the eternal truth. Whose voices through the world are ringing still, And bringing hosts to know and do thy will!

O that thy fire were kindled soon, That swift from land to land its flame might leap! Lord, give us but this priceless boon Of faithful servants fit for thee to reap The harvest of the soul; look down and view How great the harvest, and the laborers few.

Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard, The prayer thy Son himself hath bid us pray; For, lo! thy children's hearts are stirr'd In every land in this our darkening day. To cry for help with fervent soul to thee, O hear us, Lord, and speak, Thus let it be!

O haste to help, ere we are lost! Send forth evangelists in spirit strong, Arm'd with thy Word: a dauntless host, Bold to attack the rule of ancient wrong; And let them many souls to thee reclaim, To reach thy kingdom and to know thy name.

Would there were help within our walls! O, let thy promised Spirit come again, Before whom every barrier falls, And ere the night once more shine forth as then! O rend the heavens and make thy presence felt, The chains that bind us at thy touch would melt!—Sel