38 | Ward. L.M.
(122) Before Sermon.
Thy presence, gracious God! afford:
Prepare us to receive thy word;
Now let thy voice engage our ear,
And faith be mixed with what we hear.
2 Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
And fix our hearts and hopes above;
With food divine may we be fed
And satisfied with living bread.
3 To us thy sacred word apply,
With sovereign power and energy;
And may we, in thy faith and fear,
Reduce to practice what we hear.
4 Father, in us thy Son reveal;
Teach us to know and do thy will;
Thy saving power and love display.
And guide us to the realms of day.
John Fawcett. 1782.