Now before Thee, Lord, we gather

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.