EVENING PRAYER | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 17, 1859

EVENING PRAYER.

I come to thee, to-night, In my lone closet where no eye can see, And dare to crave an interview with thee, Father of love and light!

'Tis Nature's time for prayer: The silent praises of the glorious sky, And the earth's orisons, profound and high, To heaven their breathings bear.

With them my soul would bend In humble reverence at thy holy throne, Trusting the merits of thy Son alone Thy scepter to extend.

If I this day have striven With thy blest Spirit, or have bowed the knee To aught of earth, in weak idolatry, I pray to be forgiven.

If in my heart has been An unforgiving thought, or word, or look, Though deep the malice which I scarce could brook, Wash me from the dark sin.

If I have turned away From grief or suffering which I might relieve, Careless the cup of water e'en to give, Forgive me, Lord, I pray.

And teach me how to feel My sinful wanderings with a deeper smart, And more of mercy and of grace impart, My sinfulness to heal.

Father! my soul would be Pure as the drops of eve's unsullied dew, And as the stars whose nightly course is true, So would I be to thee.

Not for myself alone Would I these blessings of thy love implore, But for each penitent the wide earth o'er, Whom thou hast called thine own.

And for my heart's best friends, Whose steadfast kindness o'er my painful years, Has watched to soothe afflictions, griefs and tears, My warmest prayer ascends.

Should o'er their path decline The light of gladness, or of hope, or health, Be thou their solace, and their joy and wealth, As they have long been mine.

And now, O Father, take The heart I cast with humble faith on thee, And cleanse its depths from each impurity, For my Redeemer's sake.

[Hymns of the Ages.