Now may fervent prayer arise

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Now may fervent prayer ariseWinged with faith, and pierce the skies;Fervent prayer shall bring us downGracious answers from the throne.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. Bless, O LORD, the op’ning yearTo each soul assembled here;Clothe thy word with pow’r divine,Make us willing to be thine.

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Shepherd of thy blood–bought sheep!Teach the stony heart to weep;Let the blind have eyes to see,See themselves, and look on thee!

4. 4

   Stanza 4. Let the minds of all our youthFeel the force of sacred truth;While the gospel–call they hearMay they learn to love and fear!

5. 5

   Stanza 5. Show them what their ways have been,Show them the desert of sin;Then thy dying love reveal,This shall melt a heart of steel.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. Where thou hast thy work begun,Give new strength the race to run;Scatter darkness, doubts and fears,Wipe away the mourners tears.

7. 7

   Stanza 7. Bless us all, both old and young;Call forth praise from every tongue;Let the whole assembly proveAll thy pow’r, and all thy love!

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 9. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-9